WWE and the Conspiracy Angle: Roller Coaster of Change & CM Punk's Backseat Ride

Any change, even a change for the better, is always accompanied by drawbacks and discomforts.

                                                            ~ Arnold Bennett

Change...

It's a funny thing...

After years of watching the WWE product finally succumb to its own stubborn complacency, its redundant vision and lack of faith and direction, the WWE has seemingly turned the proverbial corner within the last few months. Offering its universe the one thing that it waited for, for what seemed like an eternity...it finally offered us, the universe, change.

No longer were we to witness the one they call "Super" pummeled and humiliated only to rise up and instantly destroy all those who attempted to defeat this childhood superhero. This predictability and foolishness had no place in our "sport." It made all of us look cartoonish, childish and cheap.

No longer were we to watch as the universe's favorite "stars" be under-booked, used and mistreated. They heard the cries of the universe and delivered us a voice; a savior that would symbolize us and our cries for change and direction and rid the company of its creative drought...

The WWE gave us CM Punk. A new star that would shine brighter then those who clouded the universe with it's "Golden Era" direction, cartoon characters who never saw defeat and mundane story archs.

Change was upon us all...     

With this change, the WWE planted a seed of hope, and with hope, new levels of excitement grew, spreading widespread joy and interest amongst its fans, those who were a part of the company, and the fans who had turned their back on a product that had all but turned their back on them.

The WWE was alive again, and the only thing that could possibly derail their sudden momentum ride would be themselves...  

Along with this sudden change came the growing fear that somehow, someway, the company would once again shy away from, and ruin their new-found interest and direction.

Welcome to the Conspiracy 

Well before the return of HHH and the ever-evolving, convoluted, mysterious conspiracy plot that the WWE finds itself "all-in" with, there was a date that will live forever in infamy in the minds of the WWE universe...June 27th, 2011.

The day that CM Punk became more then the underground, cult followed wrestler who was universally adored by long-time wrestling fans, pundits and promoters. He instantly became a lightning rod of outside media coverage and controversy; but more importantly, CM Punk took a giant leap towards being named alongside Michaels, Austin, Cena, The Undertaker, The Rock and Triple H as one of the company's most featured, prominent and revered stars.

We had all witnessed change...

The WWE now—all within a six-minute promo on that fateful night—had another star to shine along with Cena and Orton. While adding another megastar, especially one the hardcore loyalist adored, to its crippled roster, the WWE might have accomplished all the change we needed. Instead, the WWE pushed forward on its pilgrimage of change. They had bigger things in mind other then elevating Punk. They were out to not only change the vision and focus of their product, but to excavate the landscape completely and build a new foundation that would lead the company into a new era...

While initially dubbed the "Reality Era," partly through the WWE's use of social media to expand, initiate and heighten feuds, for all intents and purposes, we have entered the "Conspiracy Era." If the WWE was set for massive change, then they needed to rid themselves of all the preconceived notions and facts that the universe already knew were real.

The Facts 

1. Mr. McMahon, a long time running caricature of real owner Vince McMahon, was looking for a way to be written off the TV product.  

2. Once Vince McMahon stepped down, it would be Paul Levesque, the man who portrayed Triple-H, that would take over the company.

3. The complacency to revolve around two stars. While others, who fans cried for more of, had no direction or involvement with anything of importance.

4. The simple fact the the WWE had not done one creative thing in well over a year was slowly pushing people away from a stale product that was showing no direction of change.

The WWE, in one brilliantly-planned moved, entered into a plot line that showcased the changing of the guard from McMahon to Triple H, and the political power plays, struggles and war that usually follow when an empire collapses and changes kings. The story and its numerous players has allowed the WWE the freedom to elevate any star by simply involving them within the context of "The Conspiracy."

Stars such as: The Miz, R-Truth, Cody Rhodes, Christian, Wade Barrett, Dolph Ziggler, Jack Swagger and David Otunga, who had no direction or shot at being pushed to the main event level spotlight, now have a built-in platform to rise into it.

While it may have been CM Punk who ushered in the theme of change, he is no longer the main character that many hoped the WWE would revolve around, but rather, is just another part of a cast of characters who are currently driving "The Conspiracy" story.

The summer of Punk, and his rebellion against the newly-crowned Triple H has all but ended, giving way to a bigger angle. While many cry afoul of the WWE for "de-pushing" Punk and killing the momentum he has given to the product, the WWE is currently doing everything the universe clamored for.

While we have the change we wanted, Punk in the main event spotlight, more creativity, depth and emotion towards story-telling, the rebirth of tag teams and a focus on elevating new stars, this seems lost all due to the fact that the man who once stood at the forefront of the rebellion is now taking a backseat to the change happening before our eyes...

With Monday, and to a lesser extent, Friday nights being must-see-television due to "The Conspiracy" and all the positives it has brought to the product, many still pose this question:

Has the WWE once again failed to capitalize on a hot angle, wrestler and feud (Cena Vs. Punk)? 

Of mankind we may say in general they are fickle, hypocritical, and greedy of gain.

                                                 ~ Niccolo Machiavelli  

Sharing the Spotlight that was Never Shared

Is CM Punk being buried?  

This question has a relatively simple answer...No.

Punk and his quest for change has given way to something much more important then the rise of CM Punk. While Punk, his rebellion, shoot-style promos and unrelenting march on the WWE establishment has captivated the universe, it ultimately has become a segue into a much larger plot against the establishment.

Similarly, R-Truth's incoherent, humorous and dumbfounded ramblings of a conspiracy within the WWE has segued his character into a modern-day profit who now finds himself at the forefront of the story along with the Miz. Both have, together, become the anarchist group known as The Awesome Truth.

While the story now focuses on Triple H, his newly granted power and his slow fall from grace, it is now clear that others are out to poison the waters of the kingdom and watch as the King struggles with impending anarchy and war...

The main characters, and the spotlight that shines on them, are constantly changing while elevating everyone involved and telling a captivating, engrossing ensemble story.  

Whether or not the WWE planned all of these side stories in advance or conveniently brought them under a bigger umbrella known as "The Conspiracy" is anyone's guess, but it's a brilliant move nonetheless. "The Conspiracy" angle is the single greatest thing to happen to the WWE in awhile, and while Punk is partially to be responsible for this change, he now finds himself at an ironic crossroad that fans don't seem to understand. 

Is Punk suppose to shine brighter then "The Conspiracy" and all the other stars who are currently getting a chance to shine within this angle?

Is CM Punk suppose to instantly be elevated to the dreaded "Super" status and be handed title after title?

Is CM Punk suppose to continue his already-accomplished rebellion while anarchy and disorder surround the WWE and it's newly crowned king, Triple-H?

While CM Punk is the future, and his elevated rise to the main event is well-deserved and long overdue, it's wise for the WWE to use his existing platform of change and rebellion for others; others who can advance this evolving plot to new heights and depths. CM Punk has become a star already, and will continue to be until the day he decides to retire from the game.

Does this mean CM Punk's new-found momentum will falter in the short run? Absolutely.

Will the WWE as a whole gain tremendous momentum? Absolutely. 

Will people still complain that the savior of wrestling and his rise to glory is now on the back burner? Absolutely.

Will CM Punk find his new place within the "Conspiracy" angle? Of course...

CM Punk has accomplished what he set out to do...change the landscape of the WWE and allow others the opportunity to shine. While all this change may not be his entire doing, he was the one that opened the door and allowed this angle to take shape.

CM Punk can be regarded as the savior of wrestling in that respect, but if he truly wants to save wrestling, he should allow others to not only share the spotlight he has been given, but allow others the chance to steal it away. While the spotlight consistently burned over Cena and Orton for so long, Punk can be the one to finally step aside and let others bask in its warmth.

In helping others, we shall help ourselves, for whatever good we give out completes the circle and comes back to us.

                                                    ~ Flora Edwards