TWJT
Superstar
Joined on: Aug 7, 2021 19:07:25 GMT -5
Posts: 535
|
Post by TWJT on May 13, 2022 8:50:26 GMT -5
Punk's whole mainstream career was based on being the against the grain, anti-establishment guy in the big, corporate machine that was/is the WWE. Gave us the Pipe Bomb and other incredible moments. Well, now that he's in a promotion that bases itself on pure wrestling, indy wrestling, old territories (in certain ways, just thought I'd cover my ground before Cornette attacks me for saying such a thing), ROH, New Japan, and all the great things that a guy like Punk would probably like, he's got a lot less to complain about. What does he do with any angry energy he might still be storing? Obviously the goal of the promotion is to have Punk try to find an intensity we all love and use it for feuds with Eddie Kingston, MJF, and Page (instead of rants toward the powers that be); all of those rivalries have been great, but directed, obviously, at "equals." I feel like he is literally wired to be a guy that is unhappy and angry at his boss(es). Like The Texas Rattlesnake and others, he's the representative who carries the torch for fans and workers who look at the world the same way he does. What's gonna happen, long-term, with Punk working for a boss who is very different from Vince McMahon? Something's gotta eventually tap into that internal energy source set aside for frustration toward "the office" again, even with AEW's backstage world being so relaxed and even-keeled. It's hard to imagine a conflict breaking out between Tony Khan and the star from Chicago, but we've seen a lot of unexpected things happen in the history of the professional wrestling business. So far, as far as aggression toward "a greater institution," all we've seen while in AEW are battles between him and WWE loyalists on social media; no shots taken yet at AEW's higher-ups whatsoever, all praise.
Will the Punk of old - the "angry at the office" Best in the World - eventually resurface and make his presence known in All Elite Wrestling? Maybe a feud with Omega down the line causes him to rant against The Elite and them throwing their weight around at the top? The thing is, they haven't really done that. Omega was AEW Champion, but he had a great run that isn't really comparable to someone like Hogan or Cena being at the top in the WWF/WWE.
Guess we'll just have to wait and see how things play out. Something interesting is bound to happen in this area.
Last note - I say all this still praising the WWE and Punk. The WWE has given me 23 years of joy, and Punk's rivalries, promos, and matches have enthralled me for years. Large companies simply are imperfect, though, and Punk was the perfect guy to make those imperfections known. Austin too. Made for great TV. And whether all this is repeated one day in AEW or not (and maybe it never will be, Tony has been close to impeccable thus far), the ride is sure to be fun. Pro wrestling is unlike any other form of entertainment, that's for sure. I'll love it until the end.
|
|
|
Post by k5 on May 13, 2022 9:37:41 GMT -5
I think labeling Punk as a malcontent when he had very very legitimate gripes with the crap show that is wwe isn’t fair at all.
as long as aew continues to respect Punk, and be a company where developing talents can land on their feet, I can’t see any frustrations build. I think AEW wants Punk happy, and Punk seems to be at a genuinely content place.
|
|
TWJT
Superstar
Joined on: Aug 7, 2021 19:07:25 GMT -5
Posts: 535
|
Post by TWJT on May 13, 2022 10:25:41 GMT -5
I think labeling Punk as a malcontent when he had very very legitimate gripes with the crap show that is wwe isn’t fair at all. as long as aew continues to respect Punk, and be a company where developing talents can land on their feet, I can’t see any frustrations build. I think AEW wants Punk happy, and Punk seems to be at a genuinely content place. Well, my main idea is more that any talent would be justified to have issues with the machine that is WWE, but only a few of them actually take action against it or build a character around it. The Miz, The Rock, and Cena would be kind of on the opposite side of the spectrum, pretty much in-line with the promotion's higher-ups, company guys. But in the end, those folks are rare, as everyone has an issue and has a right to, but only a few really take up that torch in a major way. And I think that's just a commentary on corporations in modern America. As much as I love AEW, something is bound to go wrong or catch Punk in a negative way somewhere down the road (and whatever that issue is, again, will probably impact multiple people, but Punk will take on the position of "union leader," if you will, leading the way against the corruption). Doesn't mean there's anything rare about Punk's personality or the way AEW runs (if something does indeed go wrong one day), just that these are the way hierarchies and rebels operate. Or maybe AEW is such an oddity nothing like that will ever happen there, and I'm open to that possibility. But then where does Punk's energy go? Again though, I think the analysis here is more about archetypes, and people and institutions acting the way people and institutions act. I wouldn't see Punk as a malcontent, just a person who works in modern day America, in a field where people have been taken advantage of for a long time, but where only the rare ones speak out in aggressive ways.
|
|
|
Post by k5 on May 13, 2022 10:36:36 GMT -5
I hear what you’re saying. I feel that AEW represents everything in wrestling that Punk felt WWE was intentionally leaving out, so as long as that stays true, I see Punk and AEW’s relationship not souring
that could change at the drop of a hat if AEW was to make some bad moves, I will admit, but so far so good.
|
|
TWJT
Superstar
Joined on: Aug 7, 2021 19:07:25 GMT -5
Posts: 535
|
Post by TWJT on May 13, 2022 11:19:43 GMT -5
I hear what you’re saying. I feel that AEW represents everything in wrestling that Punk felt WWE was intentionally leaving out, so as long as that stays true, I see Punk and AEW’s relationship not souring that could change at the drop of a hat if AEW was to make some bad moves, I will admit, but so far so good. I hope you're right. At the same time, though, man, Punk being the anti-establishmentarian...that's also really entertaining. But the man is so talented, probably anything he'll do will be good. I'd like to see maybe Punk get the belt from Page at the next PPV, then MJF and Eddie Kingston get turns with it, all leading to more great Punk feuds (he's already feuded with both, but a "take two" for either would most likely be tremendous).
|
|
|
Post by Yambag Jones on May 14, 2022 11:17:41 GMT -5
Maybe, but this is the first major promotion to really be behind him. He's getting paid a ton and has creative freedom for the first time in his career.
|
|
|
Post by Valbroski on May 14, 2022 13:00:26 GMT -5
I think the combination of him getting older and being in a working enviornment with better synergy for him will be enough to keep this from happening.
|
|
|
Post by CM Tusk on May 14, 2022 18:07:48 GMT -5
Nah, he seems like he’s genuinely in love with wrestling right now. He wasn’t happy in most his WWE run so I think once his in ring career ends, he will remain on good terms with AEW. Hopefully he becomes a full time commentator when that happens.
|
|
|
Post by ASR (therockisback) on May 15, 2022 14:33:14 GMT -5
Nah
|
|
Deleted
Joined on: Mar 29, 2024 8:09:31 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 18, 2022 10:07:05 GMT -5
I doubt it. He’s working way less matches, so he’s not getting as beat up which I think was a huge part of him being grumpy in WWE. He also has creative freedom which seemed to be one of biggest gripes.
|
|
fabulous1971
Mid-Carder
Insert Price is Right losing horn here. :)
Joined on: Apr 1, 2022 12:29:07 GMT -5
Posts: 385
|
Post by fabulous1971 on May 19, 2022 13:42:05 GMT -5
lol until he actually has to put people over, more than just one time, then yes, he'll cry and stomp his feet all the way home.
|
|
|
Post by Controversial Maverick PUNK on May 19, 2022 13:50:28 GMT -5
I don't think he will, unfortunately... but I'll be keeping everything crossed in the hope that it happens.
|
|
|
Post by hitmancmedge on May 26, 2022 13:50:22 GMT -5
Interesting you guys started this thread, Meltzer and Alvarez were talking about how there are rumors that the Punk that showed up a year ago and this punk are not the same guy. That he is being more of an Ahole and stuff. He is doing things without checking if it’s ok etc. maybe they are just hammering home the Hangman narrative from the promo last night or really he was just on his best behavior in the beginning.
|
|
drgreenevil
Superstar
Joined on: Jun 10, 2012 18:49:14 GMT -5
Posts: 742
|
Post by drgreenevil on May 26, 2022 18:38:57 GMT -5
Will Punk eventually become angry at the office in AEW?
"This is The Way" -The Mandalorian
|
|
|
Post by hitmancmedge on May 27, 2022 8:04:41 GMT -5
Apparently Punk is gaining heat for constantly taking shots at WWE, something that Khan himself has been asking people to stop doing.
|
|
kinnikuman
Main Eventer
Joined on: Feb 6, 2020 21:42:25 GMT -5
Posts: 4,660
|
Post by kinnikuman on May 27, 2022 9:32:44 GMT -5
Nope. He very carefully worded his contract. Whatever Punk wanted before he put pen to paper, Punk will get.
|
|
|
Post by alanpartridge on May 27, 2022 9:36:44 GMT -5
Hopefully they piss him off enough to come back to WWE.
|
|
|
Post by k5 on May 27, 2022 10:00:37 GMT -5
Apparently Punk is gaining heat for constantly taking shots at WWE, something that Khan himself has been asking people to stop doing. I find that hard to believe considering the sports entertainment stable that’s literally direct shot after direct shot, but who knows
|
|
|
Post by alanpartridge on May 27, 2022 10:22:15 GMT -5
Apparently Punk is gaining heat for constantly taking shots at WWE, something that Khan himself has been asking people to stop doing. I find that hard to believe considering the sports entertainment stable that’s literally direct shot after direct shot, but who knows Punk has always been one to speak his mind.
|
|
Deleted
Joined on: Mar 29, 2024 8:09:31 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 27, 2022 10:43:21 GMT -5
I'll bet the farm these rumors are all just slow burning hints at his inevitable heel turn. Very few people are going to be universally liked, and someone as opinionated as punk is unlikely to be one of them. I'm sure there are people backstage who both like and don't like him besides Colt.
|
|