CM Punk, Vince McMahon, John Cena and More from the Dirty Laundry Mailbag

As is always the case in pro wrestling, reality is far more interesting than fiction. And after a pair of reality-driven interviews, this has been a landmark week for pro wrestling podcasts.

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@ThisIsNasty can't wait to hear your column on CM Punk and the podcast comments. Fans are falling in love with one side of the story

— Coach Solomon (@Oasis3457) November 28, 2014

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The latest chapter in the CM Punk-WWE saga has been the most interesting one. Fans finally did get one side of the story, and it was the one they've clamored to hear for 10 months.

It's always difficult to discern which elements of a wrestler's or promoter's story is the absolute truth. In fact, Punk's claim of Ryback's missing a table and slamming him on the concrete floor could easily be dismissed, as there is video evidence of Punk landing on a table, albeit awkwardly.

Still, Punk's claims that he was forced to work while hurt are unfortunately old hat with top WWE Superstars. Infamous stories like Bruno Sammartino's being asked to return early despite a broken neck (from James Caldwell of PWTorch) are actually told with admiration in wrestling lore.

The main takeaway from Punk's podcast is something I learned at an early age when I first watched MTV's True Life: I'm a Pro Wrestler: Pro wrestling is among the most dangerous, thankless and predatory professions anybody can aspire to. Often it simply isn't worth the risk as long as WWE Superstars are inexplicably classified as independent contractors. 

Whether Punk's claims of negligent in-house doctors, overlooked health concerns and WWE's backstage politicking were specifically true in his case, they are all in a day's work in an industry that is dominated by WWE.

As much as the relationship seems to have soured, one cannot rule out a return by Punk, especially after Vince McMahon said just that on Steve Austin's live podcast Monday night. Punk's interview was the first step of a healing process that will almost certainly end with a reconciliation in some form.

I'd take the abilities of one of the world's greatest master manipulators over the willpower of a disgruntled wrestler any day.

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@ThisIsNasty how many years left until @JohnCena passes the torch as 'THE top star'?

— Steven Curd (@stevencurd) December 4, 2014

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John Cena's days as the guy already seem to be numbered, and Cena himself has at least publicly come to terms with the realization that the next generation is creeping up on him.

The question is how long WWE will continue to cling to Cena as the guy, since the promotion always seems to go running back to him once an up-and-coming talent has either been hurt or has failed to pan out as a main eventer.

I'd guess Cena has two good years as the top star before eventually passing the torch. WWE appears committed to Roman Reigns, but that could have been said about a dozen other talents throughout Cena's run. Reigns is primed for a possible Royal Rumble win and WWE World Championship victory over Brock Lesnar. This would either speed up his rise to the main event or be rejected by fans as too much, too soon.

WrestleMania 32, which will take place in Dallas' 100,000-seat AT&T stadium, seems like it would be an appropriate stage for Cena to officially pass the torch to the next top star, whoever that may be.

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@ThisIsNasty What is your favorite Slammy Award moment if you had to choose one?

— Cody Collier (@CodyCollier12) December 4, 2014"

Definitely this one:

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@ThisIsNasty Will Bray Wyatt vs. Dean Ambrose close TLC?

— Spencer Davies (@SpinDavies) December 4, 2014"

The Wyatt-Ambrose storyline will definitely receive more attention than it did during last month's power struggle between Team Authority and Team Cena, but it's unlikely to close the show. Without a WWE World Championship, stipulations in high-stakes matches are a secondary hook WWE has used to lure audiences to pay-per-views.

Last month, either Team Cena would be fired, or The Authority would lose its power. For this month's main event, it was announced on Raw that Cena will lose his status as the No. 1 contender if he loses to Seth Rollins. That will be the main draw for WWE TLC. 

Still, I fully expect Ambrose and Wyatt to have the best match on the show, and there's still an outside chance they'll close the show since the stipulation of their match is the namesake of the pay-per-view.

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