WWE 2011 Thoughts: Radical Change, Exciting Present

Warm greetings, Bleachers and fellow websurfers, members of the IWC and casual readers!

Well, seems like I finally made it back—at least for this one. I had not written since before WrestleMania, even though I have been thinking of doing it for a while. You know how it is, like most school projects nowadays: many times tried, never creative enough to finish.

The thing is, I am feeling motivated to write again. And since I pretty much only write about wrestling, you can guess the source: the WWE. I have to say, I am liking it a lot lately. Oh, boy, I'm loving it!

Every time I read somebody writing about how WWE is "dropping the ball," or "not good enough" I feel like laying the SmackDown on all their candy asses, especially considering the fact that the ones who write this way usually never recognize the effort that is being made, or the improvement of the product.

I can understand the dissatisfaction about not being given some specific result—for example, CM Punk not walking out the champion in Los Angeles because Alberto Del Rio cashed the briefcase. I was very into Del Rio when he started, but now I can't stand him. Every time he gives a promo I feel like punching him in the face. 

Heck, when Cena came out at the ending of the last RAW, I really wanted him to tear Del Rio to pieces. Again, I didn't like that Punk wasn't the champ. But I recognized that, while it wasn't exactly what I wanted, at least the main event of the PPV was great, and the ending was unpredictable.

Anyway, back on topic, I want to share with you exactly how I feel.

It all started and began to unfold June 26. (I marked it on my calendar as "CM Punk saves WWE Day." Before that, business as usual: Stale product and a gloom-looking future with the departure of one of the most talented workers of the company, CM Punk.

After that, BUZZ, BOOM, YEEAAAH!

Everything suddenly became exciting again. It was cool to search the web for news and to discuss the things Punk said, how everything made sense, why they let him do it and what was going to happen.

Then something else occurred: July 17, Money In the Bank PPV. I remember that day in the afternoon I was hanging out with a friend of mine by the pool, and I told him: "Bro, if suddenly a fairy or a genie came here and asked me for a wish, I'd say, 'I want to teleport to Chicago with a ticket for Money in the Bank.' Man, I so wanna be there for the main event and join everybody and scream at the top of my lungs: 'CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk!'"

Of course, such a thing never happened (unfortunately), so I just couldn't resist buying the PPV. I'm so glad I didn't. It was the one of the best PPV I have ever watched from WWE, and what can I say about the main event that hasn't been said already?

Little more than a month has passed, but it has been the most freaking awesome month that any of us could have expected. I believe ths is a remarkably good time to be a wrestling fan. And no, I'm not talking about the Attitude Era, or "like the Attitude Era." This is simply what it is, the present. The WWE is giving us a time to feel thrilled, to enjoy, to cheer, to dream! Even if the rush of the first days of change has winded down a little, the excitement is still there.

And I'm loving it!

I'm loving how Sheamus is receiving among the best pops in the business. I recall when he first started how most didn't buy him and how very few took him seriously. And look! Now he's a face and there are signs in the live audience that say, "We can't help to love Sheamus."

I'm loving this new Mark Henry and the path of destruction he's leaving behind wherever he goes. I wouldn't even think about crossing that guy! He's looking like a real monster and legitimate threat to Randy Orton.

I'm loving the crazy and paranoid R-Truth—he's so entertaining and unpredictable. Spiders, Little Jimmy and the invisible guys he rolls with are hilarious.

I'm also loving, of course, CM Punk. It makes me smile every time I hear people in all the arenas chanting his name. And when I'm watching RAW, I can't wait for him to get a microphone.

But more than anything else, I'm loving how everything suddenly has become so unpredictable and how many times I can't distinguish kayfabe from reality, because it's so genuine for the most part.

I believe that the company is delivering nowadays, hands down, the best and most satisfying product in a long, long time. And just like most wrestling fans, I'm loving it, but you already know that.

And I'm loving that I just finished writing this article and now you are able to read it!

Yours truly,

Rick Daniels