11 Jul 2014 09:31:11
Apparently WWE are NOT expected to trigger the auto-release clause in CM Punk's contract when it expires next week. This clause is in most of the superstar's contracts and allows WWE to extend their deals by one year. If WWE do pass on this option, it will mean they will finally need to comment, via a statement on the website or whatever, on Punk's status.

I like Punk, he is a great worker and can be entertaining, but this news is pretty telling. He left the company as a "top guy" in today's product, but WWE waiving a clause that could lead to him working elsewhere tells me that they aren't worried about him potentially wrestling for other companies or using the CM Punk name (which he can do) in other avenues that could lead to them missing out on money had he been tied down.

Punk had a long reign as champion, during which ratings were very low. Things then picked up a bit when he dropped the title to The Rock. As good as he is, he isn't a mega draw, people don't pay to see CM Punk. That for me is what puts him in a category below the elite, below the true top guys of the past. People paid to see Hulk Hogan even if there was nothing else of note on the card, Hogan gave them their money's worth. People paid to see Stone Cold Steve Austin, people paid to see The Rock and like him or not, people pay to see John Cena.

If this situation happened with Cena, would they waive the one year clause and allow him to go work for TNA? Or would they renew the deal and buy themselves more time, bending over backwards to get him back? We all know the answer, but then Cena would never do business the way Punk has. That's the difference. That and the fact Punk just isn't worth bending over backwards for from a business stand point.

I for one will be glad when it's official that he's gone. It will allow those who are hanging on to the hope that he may return to move on. He is not coming back any time soon.

1.) 11 Jul 2014
It will still be a shame for CM Punk to be gone officially, but the "A+ player" excuse they use is way off. The crowds every week chant for Punk so surely having the guy back is what's best for business, Vince needs to swallow his pride again, get on the plane and see just what Punk wants, i'd be very surprised if he was demanding a long stint as champion, more like some decent air time with creative letting him do his thing. Its not because of a lack of talent that Punk is sat at home its because he won't bend over and take it like most of them do. Even creative could manage to write a half decent feud for him to walk back into.

I'd have thought there would be more to the low rating during his title reign than just him. To be honest I missed most of CM Punks time in the spot light as I took a break from the WWE when Batista left, but I have caught up with most of his PPV matches and highlights from some RAW's and again its nothing to do with a lack of talent why he won't be coming back next week.

2.) 11 Jul 2014
Of course it wasn't just him, but the fact remains he just didn't have the IT factor for drawing big money as champion that the others did. WWE obviously feel the same.

3.) 11 Jul 2014
I don't think there is anywhere else for Punk to work that would threaten WWE. TNA and ROH are so far detached that one guy won't bother the WWE.

If he goes to Japan it would only help put WWE over there.

I think he will take years off and then come back under much pomp when he is ready.

HBK was gone for 6 years in the middle of his career, came back and did another decade at the top.

4.) 12 Jul 2014
Am I the only one who thinks if Punk was born ten-fifteeen years earlier he'd have been lucky to be a mid-carder? Austin, The Rock, The Undertaker, Kane, Michaels, Angle, Mankind, HHH would all have been much higher up on the card. He'd have been feuding with Val Venis and Al Snow

5.) 12 Jul 2014
I agree mick, same with Cena.

6.) 12 Jul 2014
I think that is much more to do with the excellent roster of wwe at the time and the fact that there would have been less opportunities for cm punk and cena to showcase their talent, however saying that the crème always rises to the top and punks' talent would have seen him through and I could only imagine the great feuds with stone cold, mick foley and the rock he would have had and the great matches he would of had with michaels, angle and HHH.

7.) 14 Jul 2014
Punk would have struggled in the 80's and 90's because if you were a smart ass, or came off disrespectful or entitled you had to back it up (and I don't mean with in ring performance)

Steve Austin would have beat him half to death if he dropped the pipe bomb on him.

That said the quality of worker was so high, Punk would have had more good matches, which would have shown him to be good, perhaps he could have been a Jericho or a HBK?