Why the CM Punk love?

[scorpiorising]

As someone who loved WWF as a kid, then again when WCW was in its heyday and sort of enjoying AEW lately, I'm confused on CM Punk.

He appears to be a huge star but I can't figure out why. He's a whiny baby who thinks he's the shit. Is he loved more for his charisma or or in ring skill?

Any matches I should watch that would make me 'get it?'

 

[Pittie Petey]

I think some of it is because he was part of that first generation of indy stars that were grinding it out and helping to rebuild an industry after ECW and WCW went down, he represented the new vision of what those early internet fans wanted the rasslin business to become and he's never really wavered from that stance
He joined the WWE but he never really "sold out" and became a musclehead sports entertainer, even as part of the evil empire he was still the same rebel that the fans wanted to believe in

Im not a fan of Punk but I think I understand his place in history



Or maybe Im completely fucking wrong, first time for everything

 

[TheMadThinker]

So much of pro wrestling is situational, generational, you had to be there kind of stuff. He probably made his bones with the "pipe bomb" promo he did in WWE. Anything Punk was gold after that promo. You have to imagine how John Cena-centric WWE had been for years. A big portion of the audience wanted anything to get out of that and move the focus to anything else.

 

[deezy]

His fans are whiny babies who think they're the shit.

 

[Kung Fu Kowboy]

Top Tier Mic Skills

 

[Deleted member 449757]

He is respected because his MMA skills are second to none and people like his Pepsi tattoo.

 

[BigSexy444]

He's a great promo, his segments feel alive, can sometimes be hard to determine what's real and what's a work with him, takes his segments seriously. He's not naturally athletic but he has good ring psychology. For this generation he's great.

 

[luckyshot]

Everything he says and does related to pro-wrestling makes sense... you can watch him and be drawn in rather than turned off by 15 phony things. And he is an all time great promo.

Plus he has an edge because he's a real life prick in some ways... a quality Brock Lesnar and Randy Orton share, for example. Makes it easier to get into a conflict when you know that everyone really isn't best friends and there could be some genuine feelings involved.

 

[Based God]

I think some of it is because he was part of that first generation of indy stars that were grinding it out and helping to rebuild an industry after ECW and WCW went down, he represented the new vision of what those early internet fans wanted the rasslin business to become and he's never really wavered from that stance
He joined the WWE but he never really "sold out" and became a musclehead sports entertainer, even as part of the evil empire he was still the same rebel that the fans wanted to believe in

You hit the nail on the head. WWE was also perfect in the way they brought him up in the way they let him keep hold of those internet fans.

Punk rode a perfect wave into the WWE. He was just coming off his huge feud and Meltzer 5 star match with Samoa Joe in ROH and over the previous year became the biggest name on the indies. It was a big deal at the time for an ROH guy to get a WWE contract, cause it wasn't as common at that point like it became later and Punk was the biggest name in ROH at the time.

WWE also brought him up perfectly. They didn't change his name or his gimmick like they would with most guys. Had him sit in OVW for a year to learn their style and when they brought him to the big show they had him on their ECW brand for a year to develop in front of WWE crowds and when they would get him peaks on the main show it was in things like teaming with Triple H and Shawn Michaels at Survivor Series getting the rub from them. It helped a lot that he killed it on the mic too and could work either as a face or a heel and still be able to work a crowd on the microphone.

He was a guy that showed how WWE's developmental system can be amazing for a guy who comes in with a fan base already and they treated him like they treated guys in the 90's and just let him do his thing on the mic. Punk getting that luxury that other guys didn't helped him immensely with keeping that connection to his internet audience cause he still got to look like the rebel fighting the evil corporate giant while cashing millions of dollars worth of checks from the evil corporate giant lol

 

[lakersfan45]

Great on mic, great in ring, and everything Pere said. He’s also a gigantic bitch. But thst doesn’t take away from his abilities

 

[HereticBD]

His entire popularity is based on the "pipe bomb". It was one of the last angles that successfully blurred the lines between work and shoot. This was at a time where fans were sick of their indie darlings getting shafted for John Cena, and CM Punk was their anti-establishment voice. That shine never really wore off. If that angle never happens, Punk is probably just some forever upper tier mid carder, still hacking it out in the WWE through 1000 different gimmicks, and no more popular or notable than Dolph Zigger.

 

[lakersfan45]

His entire popularity is based on the "pipe bomb". It was one of the last angles that successfully blurred the lines between work and shoot. This was at a time where fans were sick of their indie darlings getting shafted for John Cena, and CM Punk was their anti-establishment voice. That shine never really wore off. If that angle never happens, Punk is probably just some forever upper tier mid carder, still hacking it out in the WWE through 1000 different gimmicks, and no more popular or notable than Dolph Zigger.

He has several world title runs before the pipe bomb promo and was established main eventer

 

[HereticBD]

He has several world title runs before the pipe bomb promo and was established main eventer

Yeah, many people have been champs and main eventers. The Miz, for instance. CM Punk is nothing more than another cog in the wheel, without the "Pipe Bomb". He would be known, and even have a nice little career at the end of the day, but he would not be anywhere near the status he's at now.

Shit his entire wrestling persona was shaped by that moment. He's been that character ever since. Before that, his biggest claim to fame was the fuckin' "Straight Edge Society".

 

[lakersfan45]

Yeah, many people have been champs and main eventers. The Miz, for instance. CM Punk is nothing more than another cog in the wheel, without the "Pipe Bomb". He would be known, and even have a nice little career at the end of the day, but he would not be anywhere near the status he's at now.

Shit his entire wrestling persona was shaped by that moment. He's been that character ever since. Before that, his biggest claim to fame was the fuckin' "Straight Edge Society".

Miz had one reign unless im mistaken. Same with ziggler. To me there’s a significant difference when the company puts the belt on you a second time.

The pipe bomb worked because punk was
Over and had developed his anti establishment character already. And people saw him as a main eventer. Of course the pipe bomb helped to propel him. You look at things in absolutes too much. Nak swim or sink for examples, he did neither. If you want to say punk was an upper tier mid carder at that point he would be at the very top of that list. Then he propelled himself to main event with his mic skills, including pipe bombs. Think about how
Many people have tried their own pipe bombs before and after. From the Jeff Jarretts to the zigglers. You are trying to make it sound like he’s only popular and over cuz of one moment.

 

[HereticBD]

Miz had one reign unless im mistaken. Same with ziggler. To me there’s a significant difference when the company puts the belt on you a second time.

The pipe bomb worked because punk was
Over and had developed his anti establishment character already. And people saw him as a main eventer. Of course the pipe bomb helped to propel him. You look at things in absolutes too much. Nak swim or sink for examples, he did neither. If you want to say punk was an upper tier mid carder at that point he would be at the very top of that list. Then he propelled himself to main event with his mic skills, including pipe bombs. Think about how
Many people have tried their own pipe bombs before and after. From the Jeff Jarretts to the zigglers. You are trying to make it sound like he’s only popular and over cuz of one moment.

No, you're misinterpreting. Of course he'd still be well known, and yes, he had to have the clout to pull off such a move. My point is that it elevated him to Mega Star status. So if people are confused why this guy is held in such high regard, despite coming off rather generic these days, the "pipe bomb" is the reason.

Without it, he's really nothing special, and would not be the enigma that he is today. He would likely just be on a generic up and down path in the WWE, that so many other veterans find themselves being.

Oh', and Nakamura sunk, no matter how much lipstick you want to put on that pig. He was supposed to be the next big thing, and turned out to be a directionless journeyman.

 

[lakersfan45]

No, you're misinterpreting. Of course he'd still be well known, and yes, he had to have the clout to pull off such a move. My point is that it elevated him to Mega Star status. So if people are confused why this guy is held in such high regard, despite coming off rather generic these days, the "pipe bomb" is the reason.

Without it, he's really nothing special, and would not be the enigma that he is today. He would likely just be on a generic up and down path in the WWE, that so many other veterans find themselves being.

Oh', and Nakamura sunk, no matter how much lipstick you want to put on that pig. He was supposed to be the next big thing, and turned out to be a directionless journeyman.

What I’m trying to say is that he was going to have that pipe bomb promo at some point. Let’s say he wasn’t scheduled for raw that week it would have still happened. That promo happened cuz of his character work and mic skills. He was destined to have his Austin 316 moment. Just like if Austin didn’t get stitches at king of the ring. He would have still had that Austin 316 moment eventually. So it sounds like ur trying to discount him for saying his rise to superstardom is based on one moment and without that moment he wouldn’t have been a huge star. He was going to have that moment eventually. His promos were already getting a ton of buzz. I remember he had a promo at the rumble either the year of the pipe bomb(before it) or the year before but it had the hardcores and Internet fans buzzing. Of course it didn’t get the main stream propulsion but He did that continuously. His pipe bomb moment was inevitable and he’s a star because of both his mic skills then being able to back that up in the ring with an amazing match with John CEna weeks later

 

[lakersfan45]

No, you're misinterpreting. Of course he'd still be well known, and yes, he had to have the clout to pull off such a move. My point is that it elevated him to Mega Star status. So if people are confused why this guy is held in such high regard, despite coming off rather generic these days, the "pipe bomb" is the reason.

Without it, he's really nothing special, and would not be the enigma that he is today. He would likely just be on a generic up and down path in the WWE, that so many other veterans find themselves being.

Oh', and Nakamura sunk, no matter how much lipstick you want to put on that pig. He was supposed to be the next big thing, and turned out to be a directionless journeyman.

Lol at nak sinking. Again, u look at things in absolutes.

 

[HereticBD]

What I’m trying to say is that he was going to have that pipe bomb promo at some point. Let’s say he wasn’t scheduled for raw that week it would have still happened. That promo happened cuz of his character work and mic skills. He was destined to have his Austin 316 moment. Just like if Austin didn’t get stitches at king of the ring. He would have still had that Austin 316 moment eventually. So it sounds like ur trying to discount him for saying his rise to superstardom is based on one moment and without that moment he wouldn’t have been a huge star. He was going to have that moment eventually. His promos were already getting a ton of buzz. I remember he had a promo at the rumble either the year of the pipe bomb(before it) or the year before but it had the hardcores and Internet fans buzzing. Of course it didn’t get the main stream propulsion but He did that continuously. His pipe bomb moment was inevitable and he’s a star because of both his mic skills then being able to back that up in the ring with an amazing match with John CEna weeks later

No, these things don't just happen, like it's an inevitable destiny. It was a perfect storm with Punk, as he had a real life contract issue going on with the WWE at the time. I think you're underselling just how great of an angle that was. It literally brought old AE fans back, had people actually buying into it being a shoot(in what? 2011? That's crazy) and nothing he did before that made those kind of waves. Was he always decent on the mic? Yeah, but nobody remembers anything but the pipe bomb. "The hardcores" go crazy over everything their darlings do. That moment was WAY bigger than them blowing smoke up one of their darling's asses, like they do 24/7 whenever someone they like does something moderately successful. It doesn't matter that they loved him. This was bigger than them. That's the point. It was one of greatest angles they've done since the AE, and he would not who he is today without it.

 

[lakersfan45]

No, these things don't just happen, like it's an inevitable destiny. It was a perfect storm with Punk, as he had a real life contract issue going on with the WWE at the time. I think you're underselling just how great of an angle that was. It literally brought old AE fans back, had people actually buying into it being a shoot(in what? 2011? That's crazy) and nothing he did before that made those kind of waves. Was he always decent on the mic? Yeah, but nobody remembers anything but the pipe bomb. "The hardcores" go crazy over everything their darlings do. That moment was WAY bigger than them blowing smoke up one of their darling's asses, like they do 24/7 whenever someone they like does something moderately successful. It doesn't matter that they loved him. This was bigger than them. That's the point. It was one of greatest angles they've done since the AE, and he would not who he is today without it.

And that angle was brought upon because of cm punks work. He was believable in that role. There’s been a ton of similar angles and promos. It’s a common wrestling trope. Yeah you can argue timing - but u can argue timing on every superstars rise. He had excellent promo skills and was going to reach that height with some promo and feud.

it’s pretty clear you have a certain way of looking at things. And it’s very negative and u want to downplay abilities and accomplishments.Ur threshold for nak sinking is is not being a main eventer. Being an upper mid carder for years and making a ton of money takes a lot of consistency and skill and in my opinion should be considered a success by most standards. Maybe some wouldn’t call it swimming but sinking? That’s just insane to me. Same with cm punk. I think he was going to reach that level eventually it was a matter of time. That’s why he stayed over all these years with a devoted fan base. He’s maintained after that moment with a mainstream devoted fanbase. That should be the evidence you need that he’s a star because of his skills and charisma. Even after failing at mma in an extreme embarrassing fashion he comes back and is the biggest star of aew which has Jericho Bryan omega ect

 

[HereticBD]

And that angle was brought upon because of cm punks work. He was believable in that role. There’s been a ton of similar angles and promos. It’s a common wrestling trope. Yeah you can argue timing - but u can argue timing on every superstars rise. He had excellent promo skills and was going to reach that height with some promo and feud.

it’s pretty clear you have a certain way of looking at things. And it’s very negative and u want to downplay abilities and accomplishments.Ur threshold for nak sinking is is not being a main eventer. Being an upper mid carder for years and making a ton of money takes a lot of consistency and skill and in my opinion should be considered a success by most standards. Maybe some wouldn’t call it swimming but sinking? That’s just insane to me. Same with cm punk. I think he was going to reach that level eventually it was a matter of time. That’s why he stayed over all these years with a devoted fan base. He’s maintained after that moment with a mainstream devoted fanbase. That should be the evidence you need that he’s a star because of his skills and charisma. Even after failing at mma in an extreme embarrassing fashion he comes back and is the biggest star of aew which has Jericho Bryan omega ect

For starters, no, CM Punk does not hit those levels without that moment. Levels that go beyond pro-wrestling, and make someone a legit star. For instance, I guarantee you that more people know of CM Punk, as opposed to Daniel Bryan. That "pipe bomb" is more valuable than a Wrestlemania main event Championship victory.

As for Nak, give it a rest. If people had said that he'd come in and have some mild success, fill some holes in the roster, and generally be a decent hand, I wouldn't have said shit. The bar for Nak when he came in was MEGA SUPERSTAR CHAMPION, or bust. You know it, and I know it. Shit, you can read the timeline, with all the initial hype...and all the bargaining after each loss and shitty angle, in that legendary thread I made. Hence, why I laughed(and continue to laugh), at the people who thought this sloppy ass wrestler who can't speak a lick of English, was gonna be anything more than what he is today. A mid-card journeyman. He sunk, bruh....he sunk. A glorified Tajiri, at best. You need to come to terms with that.