Cannon's Wrestling Corner: The Future of CM Punk

CM Punk, the name brings images to many of this generation of wrestling fans. His fan base seems to grow with each passing week, and the momentum just does not seem to end. This coming Sunday CM Punk will be wrestling for what could be the second of many world title shots. I've only started watching the career of this incredible athlete, and it's been a pleasure to see that he really lives up to the hype his Independent wrestling days have given him. The future of CM Punk is not so clear but is definitely bright, as one question seems to follow CM Punk wherever he goes, will CM Punk join the new breed. This all started the night Elijah Burke broke in on CM Punk as Punk was giving one of his many intriguing promos. Elijah made a statement that the new breed was interested in the services of CM Punk, and if Punk accepted, he could launch his career to heights never before witnessed. CM Punk has already proven that he can succeed by himself, but would be willing to accept such a deal. What would happen if he did? Would CM Punk be looked down upon? Would CM Punk win a major championship in the WWE/ECW for the first time? Would CM Punk find a new means of winning matches?

What if CM Punk refused? Would CM Punk gain new enemies? Would CM Punk be alone for the rest of his career? Would he prove that he can gain the success and a major championship that many have said is his destiny by his own honorable merits?

What if CM Punk joins the New Breed? A feud with Rob Van Dam, could be on the horizon, as Rob Van Dam said that he values CM Punk in a way RVD does not give to the members of the New Breed. CM Punk could make a name for himself by turning on the ECW originals and Rob Van Dam in specific. RVD vs CM Punk could be a match that passes the torches from one era to the next. CM Punk has had only two rivalries so far in his ECW career, and neither did anything to launch his career beyond his win loss record(which granted is stellar thus far). A feud with Rob Van Dam however would be a defining moment in CM Punks career. By defeating Rob Van Dam he could prove that yes he can compete with a major name who's been to the top of the industry, his message of a straight edge lifestyle could reach a farther level, and championship glory could be on the horizon. CM Punk vs Rob Van Dam in a ladder match would be a ppv show stealer. It may also be an ideal match for a man of Punks styles. Look back it's 1994, it's WrestleMania X, the song of Sexy Boy rings through the arena and a young upstart known as Shawn Michaels confidently strides to the ring, about to enter what would be a career making match against, the "Bad Guy" Razor Ramon. The next twenty or so minutes was a back and forth battle and despite losing, Shawn showed, that he was ready for a bigger stage, that he could one day be in the main event, over the next decade the legend of HBK grew, he would become the first grand slam champion(the only other to ever do so is Triple H, who himself spent several years as a partner of Michaels in Degeneration-X.), a man love or hate, you'll definitely never forget, and a sure fire hall of famer, all his success can be credited to this match in 1994 at WrestleMania ten.

Fast forward twelve years to WrestleMania 22, the Money in a Bank ladder match. The match was a classic battle and arguably greater then the first, but what people remember about this match, is the victory, the victor was a man who many people were about to say is the greatest wrestler never to win a World championship. By winning the match Rob Van Dam was guaranteed a shot at a World Championship, any time until after the next WrestleMania. Wanting the ball to be in his court, RVD chose the relaunch of ECW at One Night Stand II to go after the WWE championship currently held by John Cena. The scene was very hostile towards Cena and very loving of Van Dam. Several times it looked like Cena might win, hitting the FU as well as locking in his patented STFU. One thing fans didn't expect was Edge to show up and spear John Cena. Rob Van Dam would then hit Cena with Five Star Frog Splash, Paul Heyman then came down and appointed himself the referee then gave RVD the three count, and Rob Van Dam had won his first world championship in a match that will never be forgotten. Fast forward two months, a young up and comer would make his debut in ECW, that man was CM Punk, and man did he ever impress. CM Punk vs RVD could be a feud of the year, and should come to a conclusion in a ladder match. The feud would only be that much sweeter if it was for a number on contender spot, and CM Punk coming out the victor, but what of the New Breed, if he joined he would most likely have an advantage, he'd have the support to counter the ECW Originals (many of which may be gone in the near future, in which case CM Punk may have a decided advantage.) With a win in this match a star would emerge, and a legacy would begin. CM Punk vs Bobby Lashley(assuming Lashley is still the champ) would be an interesting match up as both men are experienced in several styles Lashely in collegiate style wrestling, and Punk with his many forms of martial arts. CM Punk may be the underdog coming into a feud with Lashley, but if he walked out the victor. CM Punk as a world champ may not be as surprising as people might thing. He was after all a heavyweight champ in OVW, as well as Ring of Honor. CM Punk could be the jolt that truly makes the New Breed of ECW credible, and gives exposure to the group of upstarts. If he remains alone CM Punk could launch his career on his own terms. By winning money in the bank he would be able to do this. The men announced for this match so far read like a who's who for the current WWE. The men involved other then Punk include three former WWE champions, three men involved in the infamous TLC matches, and a US champion. By winning this CM Punk would prove that he is ready for the big time, and that he now can go after the competition he so covets.

If CM Punk wins I'd suggest a move to Smackdown,, a brand that I feel just seems to fit his style of wrestling, and is viewed by a larger audience. If CM Punk were to move to Smackdown he could start a feud with Batista or the Undertaker. In his case I hope it's the Undertaker. Competition, what bigger competition then the phenom, a man who is undefeated at WrestleMania(thus far) and has won championship glory on numerous occasions. CM Punk could become a certifiable name, and increase his marketability tenfold. I'd love to see the two compete in either a shootfight or submission match. CM Punk would bring the submission style, that has remained dormant from the "Dead Man" for several months, and in return The Undertaker, could pass the torch to a very worth candidate in CM Punk. The road ahead for Punk will be one to follow and no matter how things turn out his career can, and most likely will be great.

Signing Off,

Derrick Cannon.