WWE Already Has a Big CM Punk Problem

WWE now has a massive CM Punk problem on its hands. 

As expected, Punk returned from his hiatus in Chicago last week. As not-so-expected, it was he, not Cody Rhodes, who unceremoniously ripped the title off Sami Zayn's waist. 

Some will take issue with unceremoniously there. It wasn't a full Brock Lesnar-Kofi Kingston pathetic excuse of a decision on WWE's part. The match was good. But it doesn't change the fact that Zayn was reduced to nothing more than a transitional champion who could hardly hold the strap a week. 

The problems extend far beyond the obvious, too. Unless Punk is just going super heel in a way WWE fans haven't seen in a long time, there's going to be jarring character issues for him to overcome. 

Fans will justifiably point to his long-running character and personality as being at least a mild hypocrite. He became the top guy who returned from a break to take down the smaller guy who earned it the hard way. 

No amount of rematches or respectable promos acknowledging these issues and treating Zayn with the utmost respect will fix it. In fact, from Punk, it would feel Rhodes-like. Heck, Cena-prime-like. 

Speaking of Rhodes, one would think they're angling for a feud with Punk. But it's a scary proposition. We're talking about Rhodes, who has constantly had his main-event stuff meddled with by TKO and otherwise. We just got done watching his WrestleMania program with Randy Orton be an all-time flop that looped in Pat McAfee and Jelly Roll before an illogical, unexplained Orton punk kick before disappearing. 

And no, it doesn't make it any better that the dirtsheets claim this was all part of the plan. Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio (h/t Sean Rueter of Cageside Seats) reported that everyone, including Zayn, knew what was about to happen. 

So while it's nice Zayn got a title win, it's pretty clear that WWE still cares far too much about looks and not enough about properly rewarding the wrestlers who deserve it. In order to get to bigger things, it seems Zayn was relegated to a here, shut up now title run to put on the resume. But it'll go down remembered as a brief one-off pop in Saudi Arabia because WWE couldn't have the two real main-eventers giving each other losses before it really mattered. 

Even if WWE shocks and gives Zayn more title chances in the near or long-term, is another classic-feeling match with Zayn going to make things any better in the respectability department?

And again, WWE is asking a lot of fans to buy back into a Rhodes feud. Sure, he's better when chasing a top title. But even if some refuse to admit it, there's serious Cody Rhodes fatigue right now. So, we're looking at trusting WWE to actually book Rhodes right, then let his stale, overexposed character headline more events. It's tough. 

Barring a major heel turn and almost corporate-style thing from Punk, it's hard to see where this all heads. It's blatantly obvious WWE is booking to appease its corporate sponsors and networks more than anything else. Punk getting the title back ASAP and going to SmackDown is a corporate decision, not one with any justifiable creative direction. 

That can change, no doubt. But WWE booking for networks instead of creative reasons is a major red flag. Now Punk's at the center of it when he was supposed to be the antithesis of it. 

The last thing WWE can do is ruin Punk, too, considering he's one of two guys (like it or not, Roman Reigns is the other) who actually moves the needle. If a fan backlash starts, or even general disinterest seeps in, it's a disaster scenario. 

Who knows? Maybe the backlash, if played right, creates a little Daniel Bryan-like momentum around Zayn and everyone buys in and it all works out. Wishful thinking, though, given WWE has repeatedly botched 'Manias and even something as simple as John Cena's retirement. 

Granted, all involved, including a cerebral wrestling mind like Punk, can figure out a way to smartly navigate this. What that looks like, though, is hard to say. If there aren't good character and overall creative reasons baked into this mishandling of Zayn while appeasing television networks, it's a code red. 

And it might the only thing capable of actually sinking the overwhelming fan opinion of Punk.