I was at the Smackdown tapings in Providence, RI last night. Spoilers are of course available elsewhere and ECW aired live last night.
The major thing of note (besides no Bobby Lashley all night, which was a gift from the bald headed God of Sports Entertainment) was that CM Punk closed the show by making his decision and joining the New Breed.
FINALLY, something HAPPENED where a storyline was moved forward. Seriously, LanceJr and I were racking our brains trying to figure out when the last face or heel turn happened in WWE. Everyone has been locked into their roles for months and months. Carlito and Flair have been on a treadmill for 3+ months and Carlito STILL hasn't turned. Batista didn't turn heel going into WrestleMania, HBK has been heelishly acting like a dick, but still is a face. There hasn't been any shift anywhere. The company has been so stagnant for so long.
Now, I'm not a CM Punk Straight Edge Superfan but I like the guy enough and I was glad to see him turn. For one thing, his heel faces and laughter were great. He looks a little like Stevie Richards when he's heel laughing.
The way it played out also made perfect sense and began to be clear when RVD and Sandman began wooing Punk. It was hilarious the Originals would send SANDMAN, a drunk, to talk to the straight edge guy. Punk has nothing in common with the ECW Originals. He's not, fundamentally, an Original ECW wrestler. Why would the straight edge guy hang out with two druggies, an alcoholic and a masochist? Punk made the only logical choice. He's better off hanging with the two black guys, the school teacher, and the two vampires.
There were a lot of young boys and girls in my section in their CM Punk shirts who were literally heartbroken when Punk hugged Cor Von and Burke and was carried on the New Breed's shoulders. One was even crying. That's what you want when a hero of the people turns heel.
I just don't think that was a full-on heel turn last night. The lack of physicality leads me to believe that Punk's gonna declare himself a lone wolf fighting all comers next week after turning on the New Breed.
To those who say people wouldn't look; they wouldn't be interested; they're too complacent, indifferent and insulated, I can only reply: There is, in one reporter's opinion, considerable evidence against that contention. But even if they are right, what have they got to lose? Because if they are right, and this instrument is good for nothing but to entertain, amuse and insulate, then the tube is flickering now and we will soon see that the whole struggle is lost. This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is merely wires, and lights, in a box.-Edward R. Murrow
Originally posted by oldschoolheroI just don't think that was a full-on heel turn last night. The lack of physicality leads me to believe that Punk's gonna declare himself a lone wolf fighting all comers next week after turning on the New Breed.
I agree. If they were really turning him heel, he would've cost Van Dam the match or at least done something bad to them guys. Heel Punk's heel mannerisms were great though, even if he was only PRETENDING.
I think there's probably money in a Burke/Punk team (especially with the brand cross-overs). As most of the Originals are usually one bad day away from being released and Van Dam may or may not be ditching out soon, long-term Punk being a heel with the New Breed works out better for everyone (especially since the company is top-heavy with babyfaces). WWe creative probably knows that, since the Originals aren't supposed to either get over or win this feud.
Originally posted by oldschoolheroI just don't think that was a full-on heel turn last night. The lack of physicality leads me to believe that Punk's gonna declare himself a lone wolf fighting all comers next week after turning on the New Breed.
Stone Cold CM Punk? He used to brag about being addicted only to competition, so it makes sense. But I don't want two months of the New Breed going NWO on him.
"To be the man, you gotta beat demands." -- The Lovely Mrs. Tracker
Ladies and gentlemen, the following public service message is brought to you by your friends from D-Generation X, who would like to remind each and every one of you that if you're not down with that, we've got two words for you... I agree that we're going to get a swerve next week - and I say we better get it. Punk doesn't belong in the New Breed any more than he belonged in the ECW Originals and turning him heel at this point is downright dumb because he would get lost in the mix behind Snitsky and the New Breed, which is not what ECW needs when Punk is the ONE new guy that the fans have embraced.
smark/net attack Advisory System Status is: Elevated (Holds; June 18, 2006) While the switch from Cena to RVD should alleviate some complaints, the inevitability of the belt's return to Cena (note where Summerslam is this year) and the poor initial showing by the new ECW are enough to keep the indicator where it is for now. The pieces are in place, though, especially on RAW, for improvements to be made to the IWC's psyche in the near future.
I think everyone expecting a double swerve to take place next week is giving the writers way more credit than they deserve. This was just typical WWE logic, whenever the fans start to take to a guy as a new face you build him up for a while then make the shocking turn. Now he'll be in the endless feud with the Originals and no one will much care since the whole brand is really on a road to nowhere. I think they would have been better served moving him to one of the other brands while he was still somewhat hot with crowds. I can't see anyone not named Lashley really ever coming out of ECW at this point with any real credibility or hope of advancement. But then I know plenty of folks here would say that Punk sucks and one of 10 people in a midcard angle is his appropriate role, so what do I know?
Originally posted by spfI think everyone expecting a double swerve to take place next week is giving the writers way more credit than they deserve. This was just typical WWE logic, whenever the fans start to take to a guy as a new face you build him up for a while then make the shocking turn. Now he'll be in the endless feud with the Originals and no one will much care since the whole brand is really on a road to nowhere. I think they would have been better served moving him to one of the other brands while he was still somewhat hot with crowds. I can't see anyone not named Lashley really ever coming out of ECW at this point with any real credibility or hope of advancement. But then I know plenty of folks here would say that Punk sucks and one of 10 people in a midcard angle is his appropriate role, so what do I know?
I would be very impressed if the WWE uses this to move him to another brand. Play it like RVD's "Mister Monday Night" character where he was too good to be languishing in ECW. Next week he can turn on the New Breed and tell him that he's not with them either -- he's getting out of ECW and moving to the "big leagues."
Of course, with the mixing of the rosters now he can still show up on ECW periodically to get beat down in screwy matches, but it would be an effective way to move him to Raw or Smackdown if that's the WWE's intention.
Originally posted by KevintripodI'm not digging Ariel's new "hairstyle". Something about it just doesn't seem to fit her character.
Doesn't seem like a evil and dark goth female vampire would have a Gwen Stefani-like hairstlye.
Oddly enough, Ariel defines herself as "Horror" and not "Goth" (per her official website). There's some differences between the two genres. Her look kinda reminds me of the band "The Horrorpops". She had kind've the rockabilly vibe going for herself last night. I think it works as far as making her a little more mainstream friendly.
Originally posted by spfI think everyone expecting a double swerve to take place next week is giving the writers way more credit than they deserve.
I don't think you give Dusty Rhodes' propensity for swerves enough credit. Like Justin said, if Punk was going full-on heel he'd have done something other shake the guys' hands. Reminds me of the time that the Outlaws joined the Corporation for one night only - it was obvious they weren't turning heel because a)the turn itself was totally anticlimactic and b)they didn't lay a finger on the rest of DX.
And rather than a Burke/Punk team, I'd say there's far more entertainment to be had in a Burke/Punk feud. This is the perfect way to move the New Breed's concerns from the soon-to-be-phased-out Originals to a guy who the company actually plan on using.
To those who say people wouldn't look; they wouldn't be interested; they're too complacent, indifferent and insulated, I can only reply: There is, in one reporter's opinion, considerable evidence against that contention. But even if they are right, what have they got to lose? Because if they are right, and this instrument is good for nothing but to entertain, amuse and insulate, then the tube is flickering now and we will soon see that the whole struggle is lost. This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is merely wires, and lights, in a box.-Edward R. Murrow
Now more than ever do I want to see a heel CM Punk against a face Chris Benoit. If I saw that at Vengeance in June, I'd probably have cardiac arrest. That's something I'd pay top dollar to see.
Originally posted by KevintripodI'm not digging Ariel's new "hairstyle". Something about it just doesn't seem to fit her character.
Doesn't seem like a evil and dark goth female vampire would have a Gwen Stefani-like hairstyle.
(edited by Kevintripod on 11.4.07 2125)
I knew something felt wrong Tuesday. I loved where her hair was nice, long, and black with green(favorite colors by the way)and it just made her look hotter to me.
CM Punk is slowly winning me over, I just wish the guy got to have more than 5 minute matches with Stevie (much as I love the guy, he's such a jobber he can't even win with cane assisted interference)
My number one reason to watch though is Burke and I can't wait until their inevitable feud over the true leader of of the New Breed. It will be like Farooq vs Rocky, but better, I hope.
Cena can't be beat because he's some unholy genetic recombinate of superstars past. I mean, you might as well call him John "Realest of the Real, Sargent Rock - Cold - A - Mania" Cena.
Originally posted by Texas KellyI agree that we're going to get a swerve next week - and I say we better get it. Punk doesn't belong in the New Breed any more than he belonged in the ECW Originals and turning him heel at this point is downright dumb because he would get lost in the mix behind Snitsky and the New Breed, which is not what ECW needs when Punk is the ONE new guy that the fans have embraced.
It just seemed totally off...I am really, REALLY, pulling for that swerve next week but as of now I'm 50-50 on it actually happening. I really need to post screen cap of him thinking his turn over...it just didn't feel right...felt fishy and I mean fishier than the original John Cena turn just because he didn't like his tag team partner the week before.
(edited by jwrestle on 13.4.07 2107)
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