The Squared Circle: The CM Punk Solution

How to fix Mr. Money in the Bank

Well, Judgment Day was upon us, and if there was anything certain heading in, it was that CM Punk was going to continue an ascent toward being a legitimate World Champion so he can really play up the fact that he has the Money in the Bank briefcase.

Of course, Vince and World Wrestling Entertainment love to make us feel silly when we think something is certain.

Punk entered the ring seemingly fully recovered from a tough loss to Kane at Backlash. He had topped Edge in a match on Smackdown! and looked poised to continue his run with a win over Umaga at Judgment Day.

So, why oh why would creative control book "Chicago Made" in a loss against the Samoan Bulldozer? Unfortunately, I can't help you folks there, because I have no idea. But what I do know ... is they not only can fix it, they can make Mr. MITB a megastar main eventer in the process. And here is how.

With the tapings tonight and all the spoilers out there tomorrow, I am sure all of us will see that this is not the angle WWE is taking, but that does not chance the fact that they should.

I think they should have Punk open the show. Have him almost mope his way to the ring instead of the usual shindig he does with the fans. Then have him start the night with the mic and two words. "I'm sorry."

BOOM ... he has everyone's attention. We are all thinking "oh no Mr. CM, what are you sorry for? We love you so much." He looks right in the camera and proceeds to explain how he is not living up to the title Mr. Money in the Bank.

He feels like he has let down his fans and himself by not being able to get victories over Kane and Umaga and he states he ABSOLUTELY WILL NOT cash in his briefcase until he feels he is the best guy in the locker room. And from there, the opponents will tell his story.

Here we go:

1) He starts that night by getting a rematch with Kane in a steel cage match. He wins in a tough one (probably at the 9:00 hour as he is not ready to steal the main event spotlight from Edge). He does the posing, gets a huge pop, moves on to next week and his rematch with Umaga.

He goes on to defeat Umaga in a No DQ match to avenge that loss. Nothing spectacular ... just a basic match to get his streak to two wins and make him look good to the fans by going over the last two guys to defeat him.

2) And here is where it gets good. He says he will put the Money in the Bank briefcase on the line at Extreme Rules in a Ladder match against any taker.

I am personally not a huge fan of putting the briefcase on the line, but I think in this case it shows that Punk is serious about wanting to prove himself and he is ready to risk it to show he is worthy.

Shelton Benjamin (who needs something to do anyways) answers the call and we have a solid match for the PPV.

Punk obviously goes over in a match that will more than likely feature some fantasitcally memorable spots. And Punk moves on to the next opponent.

3) Now he has full support of the fans and is really building some momentum and this is all after just three weeks. And we really need to get him a solid feud for The Bash just three weeks later.

Have him in a triple threat match with John Morrison and Dolph Ziggler.  Could make this just a singles match against Morrison if he is not quite over as a face yet, but otherwise need Ziggler for the heel presence.

Don't put the briefcase one the line in this one, but somehow stipulate that if The Shaman of Sexy or Ziggler should pin Punk, they would get a shot at the briefcase in one-on-one action on SD!

Should be a solid match with these performers, but in the end, Punk nails Ziggler with the Go To Sleep and walks out with streak, briefcase and momentum in tact.

4) Punk really is not involved in Night of Champions because he does not have a strap nor is he going for one yet. He is around in the back ... and to keep him on TV and in everyone's mind, have him mess with Edge's head a few times about thinking about cashing in tonight.

5) After Night of Champions, he is starting to build toward his Summerslam match. This is a biggie. Have The Great Khali call out Punk on SD! Have Khali come out and attack him a couple of times, have him cost Punk some matches ... and have Punk really doubting himself going in to Summerslam.

Does not have to have the briefcase on the line, but a huge match none-the-less for Punk who wants to "prove himself better than EVERYONE in the back." Of course ... Punk gets the MONSTER victory.

You can even save Khali as a face by having him shake hands or what not if needed. This is a big win for Punk and really would help push him.

6) His final stepping stone is a solid face-vs.-face feud. Punk comes out on Smackdown! and says he wants to prove himself against a title holder and challenges Intercontinental Champion Rey Mysterio (fresh off of his feud with Chris Jericho) to a match, though not for the title, just to see if he is "finally ready to take the last step."

Rey accepts of course, but lets Punk know he is not going to be a pushover and Punk needs to bring his A-game to Unforgiven. Throughout all this ... Edge cannot stop talking about Punk.

He notices "the streak" and is noticeably starting to get worried. Edge can lose his title to Jeff Hardy or The Undertaker during CM's run, but Edge has to have it at the end of Punk's run.

Rey and Punk have to steal the show at Unforgiven ... which they are more than capable of doing. After Punk wins the match, they shake hands, Rey gets on the mic and says, "You're ready man. Go get the big one!"

7) On the next episode of SD! Punk opens the show announcing he is cashing in at No Mercy. He does not want it to be a "surprise" or a "sneak attack" ... he wants Edge to know that he is coming for him. Build it for a month and ...

At No Mercy in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Oct. 4, 2009, CM Punk goes over Edge to become new World Heavyweight Champion He will be MEGA over, and will have a chance to really show his weight as the company's top star.

Could swap a couple feuds here or there. Maybe go with Hardy instead of Rey. Or some other things, but the general idea is there, and by October Punk will be way over. If his run as champ is deemed a failure ... WWE would still have Cyber Sunday, Surivor Series and Armageddon to get the belt off of him before Royal Rumble and the build up to WrestleMania starts.

Could even go off the deep end and have him preaching all this only to cash in on a weakened World Champ Hardy after a grueling PPV win, successfully turning Punk heel, but that is a different article for a different time.