WWE and CM Punk: Best in the Business or Only Option in a Sea of Mediocrity?

Perhaps I'm too cynical for my own good.  It just seems that the hoopla surrounding CM Punk is a hail mary attempt by WWE to bolster an empire in decline. 

Sure, the storyline was great in its emergence, an innovative move to rekindle interest of lost fans and bolster sales, but it went off the rails as soon as it started to build interest and momentum. 

Now this same intriguing storyline struggles to find cohesion, and even plausibility, seeing as believability has been set aside.

Punk's "I'm a Paul Heyman Guy" promo, was a shot in the arm not seen since The Rock's first comeback promo.  The reaction was huge for both, and both seem to have lost intensity in subsequent appearances. 

So the solution is to throw Triple H in the mix to try and transfer the on-screen animosity from Punk and Mr. McMahon to Punk and Triple H?  Sweet Lord, why?

I've omitted Cena from this saga not as a slight, his dedication to the WWE is well documented and debated daily.  Fact is, the fans know his character, his phrases and his actions. 

Not a bad thing, but a good call as he is entrenched in his role, and his established star power already makes him a player without having to use precious television time to explain it over and over. 

Fans already know Cena told the Rock he was holding the WWE title until WrestleMania to defend it against The Rock.  This plays out as the trials and tribulations he must endure to accomplish this feat and keep his promise.

Triple H though?  His COO character strikes me as a wannabe Mr. McMahon with a ponytail and none of the heat.  One would logically suppose as a former wrestler/entertainer that he would be making interesting matches, pulling strings and dictating the dance, not interjecting himself into major stoylines and endlessly talking. 

His crowning achievement thus far is being credited with the return of Jim Ross.  I wonder if WWE and TNA don't collaborate on their formatting. 

I understand the WWE roster is stacked with meatheads with no charisma or promo skills.  Most are young and green, and Punk is a veteran that can cut great promos at times. 

With the restrictions and parameters I have no doubt he is saddled with, it's surprising we get the nuggets we do from him. 

Another disturbing similarity that I've noticed is between Punk and Bully Ray.  Both are the best options for talkers for their companies, yet both leave something to be desired as well.  It's a sad state of affairs currently.

I'm not championing a return to the Attitude Era, I don't mind PG, reality, whatever buzzword is currently the most popular label.  There is a lot of room for intelligent, cohesive and engaging programming without having to work blue. 

Even with a mediocre talent pool and Punk leading the charge, it could easily be better.  I personally liked it when faces squared off against faces, heels vs. heels,  friends, tag-team partners, on and on. 

When WWE threw everyone together and saw who had the best chemistry and built feuds off it, that was a good practice that shouldn't have been neglected.

Now, I'm not interested in seeing how this plays out.  Two champions is ridiculous.  Building a storyline around it to culminate at SummerSlam is insulting as it is currently structured.  It was a hurried and sloppy construct, and fans young and old alike deserve better than that. 

Sure, it sells Punk's T-shirts, I personally find it disrespectful.  If Punk was able to be a better character, he would call B.S. on this whole idea.  For someone who purports to have such a deep and profound respect for wrestling, he should give the fans who support his employer better than what we now get for our money.

I am a fan of Mr. Punk, somewhat. Of him and Paul Heyman.  Do you honestly believe in your heart of hearts that this drivel currently being espoused is deserving of invoking his name? 

Would Mr. Heyman create or support this storyline, or just throw support behind Punk for doing the best with what he has, and not being the best in the world? 

Talking all the time makes you look like you're all hat and no cattle.  I'd rather see you square off with Morrison or Ziggler than a quick ramp up to SummerSlam.  Prove you're the best by beating the best, then face Cena yet again.  There would be more credibility.