WWE: Is WWE Losing Track of Why CM Punk is Popular?

It was the interview heard around the world.

And when I say around the world I truly mean that. When CM Punk gave his now famous "shoot" interview leading into "Money in the Bank" everyone in wrestling, and part of main steam society heard about, talked about it and wanted to be part of it.

For the first time in many moons, wrestling was popular entertainment again.

Punk and John Cena electrified the wrestling world and sports entertainment. Punk was interviewed, Cena was defending him and the great rivalry was born.

And in a few short PPV events, it was gone with a puff of smoke.

Did everyone forget who Phil Brooks was and the message he was trying to convey? It sure seems like WWE management has and in doing so, the message was lost on everyone and no longer has the same impact it once did.

Score another one for WWE for dropping the ball on what could have catapulted into the next year and beyond WrestleMania XXVIII.

Punk was the anti-hero, the one everyone loved but he fought the establishment and won. He was the charisma missing from wrestling, the Steve Austin of this decade, the brawler who took on everyone and as Cena once said "the only man worthy of being in the ring with him."

A pretty far cry from what is going on now, since Punk is feuding with The Miz and Alberto Del Rio when they are both good in-ring performers. But Dolph Ziggler may be better, and then there is Cena, who seems to be in flux right now, with no chance at competing for the WWE Title. He is trying to reestablish his character, wait for The Rock at WrestleMania XXVIII and give Zack Ryder a push or two.

The changing of the guard is taking place. We are waiting for the heel change.

Everything in wrestling is cyclical, but Punk's character, like an Austin, should have remained in place. He should have challenged the authority of Triple H and others in convincing style. Fighting with ADR and John Laurinaitis is not believable, and while this is wrestling, there still needs to be an idea of believability.

WWE has lost track of why CM Punk became the most popular wrestler in the company and the world. Now, they will have a hard time bringing that popularity back in a way that kept the fans interested in the first place.