WWE: Was CM Punk's Promo Directed at Pro Wrestling Fans Online?

Whoever said that no one was listening?

On Monday night, June 27, CM Punk cut what will no doubt go down in wrestling history as one of the best promos that has ever been done.

In the closing moments of the program, CM Punk said virtually everything that fans have been saying online for years now. From his point about not being pushed, to his comments about Hogan and Rock being suck-ups, Punk echoed a hundred sentiments that fans have been discussing and debating for a long time now.

Yes, it does appear, at least on the surface, that someone in WWE is listening. But, is it truly Punk?

Let’s face it, this did not happen. While there is always the possibility that Punk did go into business for himself, at least in part, I believe that there is no way he would have been allowed to say a tenth of what he said before the plug was pulled.

So, what really happened on RAW? The truth is, the pro wrestling genius of Vince McMahon, rarely ever seen, once again made its presence known.

By having Punk cut this promo, McMahon has effectively taken the words that fans say online virtually every day, and thrown them back in our faces. He has somewhat diffused the situation, and placed Punk squarely in the arena of discussion. It’s brilliant.

It’s also a little scary. After all, Punk, while speaking the truth on many fronts, began to look, and sound like, a wild eyed conspiracy theorist.

In other words, this promo, while truly monumental and unforgettable, could very well have been directed at us. If that is indeed the case, then WWE has not only furthered the heat between Punk and Cena, who will undoubtedly come out next week and demand that Punk be reinstated, they have also thumbed their nose at the fans.

Do we sound like CM Punk? Do we have that victimized tone when we talk, and write, about the business we love?

Perhaps it reeks of arrogance on my part to suggest that we were the reason for Punk’s rant. After all, in our haste as fans to be included, to feel important, we do tend to take everything we see as a reason to voice our opinion. Maybe this spot had more to do with hyping Punk versus Cena at Money in the Bank, and getting Punk over, than anything related to the fans.

So, should we be celebrating this promo, applauding it’s ground breaking, brutally honest tone? Or should we be taken aback, convinced that yes, WWE is listening to us, and the truth is, they just don’t care?

I suppose that the jury is still out on that one. As with virtually everything else in the business, we will have our own specific view of things, and that view may or may not jive with the truth.

But, what is not in doubt is that CM Punk was right about a lot of things he said, not the least of which is the fact that he is very good at what he does. Yes, he is better than anyone in WWE at being an all around performer, and he proved it by cutting the most unforgettable promo in recent memory.

If the crowd reaction, and the overwhelming response from fans online, mean anything to Vince McMahon, then CM Punk’s stock has risen to an all time high.

Controversy. Drama. Debate. This is what professional wrestling should be, a never ending environment of endless questions, plausible realism, and heightened interest for the fans. WWE, despite all the criticism we levy against them, know how to create this environment. They are the best in the business for a reason, and this is just another example.

Yes, this was a worked shoot. But, wasn’t it cool, if only for a few moments, to ask “what if this is real?” I for one miss those moments. Hopefully we will see more of them and very soon.