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[StealthGoblin]

Out of interest, who in the top card (consistent top card) of either brand is a massive merchandise seller?

The attitude era had the DX, Rock, Austin etc merch do gangbusters.

With Cena being a big seller, I think Punks new anti-hero stint will do gangbusters too. He's had a complete rebrand.

 

[Keyser Soze]

Out of interest, who in the top card of either brand is a massive merchandise seller?

The attitude era had the DX, Rock, Austin etc merch do gangbusters.

With Cena being a big seller, I think Punks new anti-hero stint will do gangbusters too. He's had a complete rebrand.

Rey is the ultimate seller alongside Cena, he has the most stuff of any superstar on WWEShop. His page goes on for days...
http://www.wweshop.com/category/ReyMysterio

Cena probably sells more than him, just cause he is Cena. He also has a gnome, which changes EVERYTHING

 

[Razorskin]

Punk vs Cena at SummerSlam, Cena wins and keeps belt until ADR intervenes.

 

[StealthGoblin]

I don't consider Rey Rey, top of the card.

I knew he was a big seller, but I am trying to establish whether for the first time in a long time, that the WWE will have two guys at the absolute top of the card, who will sell a fuck ton of shit, like Rock and Austin. Punk is in the Austin role, but Cena is a bit of a tweener who is trying to be as hot as The Rock was.

 

[jmdajr]

I don't consider Rey Rey, top of the card.

I knew he was a big seller, but I am trying to establish whether for the first time in a long time, that the WWE will have two guys at the absolute top of the card, who will sell a fuck ton of shit, like Rock and Austin. Punk is in the Austin role, but Cena is a bit of a tweener who is trying to be as hot as The Rock was.

how about the apex predator?

 

[StealthGoblin]

how about the apex predator?

Yeah. Problem with Orton is that he is on a separate brand. I think having Punk and Cena (and The Rock for Summerslam) play off each other will be ace. A big feud between them, one upping each other and getting a white hot crowd (as long as Dwayne tries to bring something new instead of the same recycled shit) will do wonders for the top of the card.

Punk really needs to go over some of the 'corporates' to further enhance this angle.

 

[Mr. Sam]

I don't think Cena is terribad or anything but why is he like Batista and is granted immortal #1 contender status whenever he loses that belt?

It's an extension of the rematch clause that all former champions are given.

And what about Rey? Does he get a rematch too against Cena?

He should. It'll either never be mentioned (implying Mysterio's too honourable or some such) or he'll simply lose again to Cena.

Edit: Beaten like a disobedient mule.

 

[Rated-Rsuperstar]

Trips is still on top if you add his World Title titles reigns...but yeah I agree.

Ric Flair is still above Trips with 16.

 

[bwahhhhh]

I don't consider Rey Rey, top of the card.

I knew he was a big seller, but I am trying to establish whether for the first time in a long time, that the WWE will have two guys at the absolute top of the card, who will sell a fuck ton of shit, like Rock and Austin. Punk is in the Austin role, but Cena is a bit of a tweener who is trying to be as hot as The Rock was.

Cena could play the Bret Hart tweener, where he still acts like a face, but acts passed off at the fans "I stand for hustle, loyalty, and respect... but it seems like that's not really appreciated anymore." getting in a clean victory over Punk, then beating on Punk excessively during and after the match out of frustration could have a Hart/Austin full on double-turn effect. (though neither of them are Hart/Austin in the ring)
Then have Cena still act like a tweener, just pandering to kids instead of Canadians as Bret did. Could make for some hot bi-polar crowds. oh fantasy booking.

 

[bwahhhhh]

now I'm all nostalgic for Canadian Stampede. That PPV was crazy

 

[GaimeGuy]

I don't consider Rey Rey, top of the card.

I knew he was a big seller, but I am trying to establish whether for the first time in a long time, that the WWE will have two guys at the absolute top of the card, who will sell a fuck ton of shit, like Rock and Austin. Punk is in the Austin role, but Cena is a bit of a tweener who is trying to be as hot as The Rock was.

Cena has always tried to be the rock. His mannerisms during interviews (particularly the mocking of others), the sarcastic jokes, they're all him trying (and failing) to be like the rock on the mic, something which Miz pulls off a lot more naturally.

In the ring, he also is very similar to rock. The five knuckle shuffle is basically the people's elbow with a slightly different animation.

Everything about face Cena has reeked of "cheap Rock wannabe" since 2005/2006.

 

[thefro]

Cena could play the Bret Hart tweener, where he still acts like a face, but acts passed off at the fans "I stand for hustle, loyalty, and respect... but it seems like that's not really appreciated anymore." getting in a clean victory over Punk, then beating on Punk excessively during and after the match out of frustration could have a Hart/Austin full on double-turn effect. (though neither of them are Hart/Austin in the ring)Then have Cena still act like a tweener, just pandering to kids instead of Canadians as Bret did. Could make for some hot bi-polar crowds. oh fantasy booking.

Punk's better than Austin ever was as a worker. I'm sure some would claim he's better than Bret as well.

 

[BankaiZaraki]

It really was a pretty decent Raw. New Punk>>>>>Old Punk.

 

[Entropia]

Aw, dammit! I just missed Royal Rumble '98 on the Nostalgia Stream!

The actual Rumble match, that is.

 

[bwahhhhh]

Punk's better than Austin ever was as a worker. I'm sure some would claim he's better than Bret as well.

yeah, no. better than Austin post-neck injury, I can see that. i meant pre-injury, during the feud. Bret, no way, Punk is not good enough to carry mediocre wrestlers.

 

[Keyser Soze]

 

[jobber]

*buys Punk's shirt off wwe.com*

 

[MetatronM]

yeah, no. better than Austin post-neck injury, I can see that. i meant pre-injury, during the feud. Bret, no way, Punk is not good enough to carry mediocre wrestlers.

"C.M. Punk pinned John Cena to win the WWE title in 33:42. *****"

 

[MetalFearSolid]

CM Punk tells the WWE Universe he's back

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MqtpmbJEDA

Just watched it, where did Cena go?

 

[MetalFearSolid]

Any other .gif request?

Also I am officially an Eve fan, I was teetering on the edge when she put her foot in Cole's face, this won me over.

Yes Plywood!

 

[bwahhhhh]

"C.M. Punk pinned John Cena to win the WWE title in 33:42. *****"

Cena brought a hell of a lot to that match. He brings his A-game when needed. They also have good chemistry. By mediocre i mean guys like Sid and Nash.

 

[Arrowgigantic]

Wait so was this ROH theme that Punk is using the one you guys were marking over a few days (weeks?) back?

No, that was Miseria Cantare, which would be a good video promo song or Wrestlemania entrance but doesn't really work as a main theme.

Last night was Cult of Personality, which he has also used before but has the added bonus of featuring one of the best hooks in rock history, and one of the best guitar solos in history, by one of the best guitarists in history.

 

[Keyser Soze]

 

[Arrowgigantic]

Edit: John Cena has now broken Trips record with most WWE title Reigns!

You're not counting what happened last night are you? That was not a WWE title that John was holding last night. It was a sham and a travesty.

 

[Petrie]

*buys Punk's shirt off wwe.com*

*searches around for a free shipping code or something*

 

[FyreWulff]

the eBay one's back is different.

The new one is like the one Punk had on Monday, no date on the back.

 

[Keyser Soze]

the eBay one's back is different.

The new one is like the one Punk had on Monday, no date on the back.

Congrats to those that paid $500 for a date

 

[Petrie]

Congrats to those that paid $500 for a date

Admittedly having that date on there is pretty awesome.

 

[Entropia]

Congrats to those that paid $500 for a date

Most important date in WWE history.

 

[mooooose]

I think I might buy the Punk shirt. I've always wanted one but they've always looked so stupid. Cool enough, this just looks like a Youth of Today rip (Straight Edge band). I wouldn't be embarassed to walk around in this or at least own it, like any other piece of wrestling memorabilia/clothing...

Which means...

CM Punk is selling merchandise.

He's god tier NOW.

 

[Keyser Soze]

Bought at the store, at the event, yeah. Not worth $500

I own a few "rare" game, and even I think this is a bit crazy

 

[jmdajr]

You're not counting what happened last night are you? That was not a WWE title that John was holding last night. It was a sham and a travesty.

damn... guess we'll have to wait till Summerslam

 

[MetalFearSolid]

Bought at the store, at the event, yeah. Not worth $500

I own a few "rare" game, and even I think this is a bit crazy

Not a big ripoff compared to Flair's video calls and phone calls

 

[BFIB]

I would have loved to have seen this play out longer before Punks return. Maybe have Punk crusing the Indy's reminding everyone that the corporate machine continues to churn along, etc.

It would create buzz on the Indy circuit, it would give the Indy circuit good recognition, hopefully drawing up sales, and interest not only in WWE, but across all wrestling promotions.

WWE has a chance to really make wrestling relevant again here. Most of my friends who aren't even wrestling fans, are asking me who CM Punk is and what this is all about. They believe that Punk really left the company w/ the title, I would have loved to seen that played out more.

But, WWE will most likely fuck it up, and have SuperCena beat Punk at SummerSlam for the title. Punk goes back into obscurity, and Cena continues to be Cena.

 

[bwahhhhh]

Congrats to those that paid $500 for a date

it's a bit much for a CM Punk date unless he puts out

 

[Arrowgigantic]

damn... guess we'll have to wait till Summerslam

If CM Punk drops the belt at Summerslam I will never post another weird Japanese fanart pic again.

 

[Azuran]

As if the PWI 500 could be any less credible, this year's #1 is The Miz.

No one else who came even close to everything The Miz accomplished last year.

 

[spindashing]

I think I might buy the Punk shirt. I've always wanted one but they've always looked so stupid. Cool enough, this just looks like a Youth of Today rip (Straight Edge band).

Wow, you're right.

 

[StealthGoblin]

Yeah, Punk needs to go over at Summerslam. . .or Cena needs to cheat/go over unclean for this to continue. Maybe even bring back Vince in Cenas corner.

It'll be shite if Cena goes over again. Maybe The Rock will screw Cena out of the title again.

Or maybe he'll screw punk so that his match is for the title at Wrestlemania.

Heel Rock, Face Cena. Just how Vince wants it.

 

[mooooose]

I would have loved to have seen this play out longer before Punks return. Maybe have Punk crusing the Indy's reminding everyone that the corporate machine continues to churn along, etc.

It would create buzz on the Indy circuit, it would give the Indy circuit good recognition, hopefully drawing up sales, and interest not only in WWE, but across all wrestling promotions.

WWE has a chance to really make wrestling relevant again here. Most of my friends who aren't even wrestling fans, are asking me who CM Punk is and what this is all about. They believe that Punk really left the company w/ the title, I would have loved to seen that played out more.

But, WWE will most likely fuck it up, and have SuperCena beat Punk at SummerSlam for the title. Punk goes back into obscurity, and Cena continues to be Cena.

If you think this angle DIDN'T stem from Punk's contract negotiations, you're wrong.

They gave him an angle he's done before, and probably suggested, and it lit the wrestling world on fire.

He left, and got to do some cool renegade promos, which were awesome and very cool, and I'm sure everyone wishes we got more of.

Now he's back, with a NEW licensed song that he was probably dying to have, a new look that doesn't make him look like an idiot in WWE merchandise, and a new character. He's the anti-hero champ of WWE, the rightful champ. As a heel, he'd always talk about being wronged. Now, he was actually wronged.

There is no way this is all to build CENA. It was all to build PUNK as the biggest star in the company. If there was ever a time to do your part and buy the merchandise, it's Punk's shirt. It's the litmus test of decent design by WWE, meaningful graphics with probably some of Punk's suggestion, and Punk's drawing power.

 

[jmdajr]

It's funny. Punk criticizing fans for pawning his stuff on ebay...and then...

 

[MetalFearSolid]

Yeah, Punk needs to go over at Summerslam. . .or Cena needs to cheat/go over unclean for this to continue. Maybe even bring back Vince in Cenas corner.

Like Vince did for Lesnar vs. Angle

 

[mooooose]

Wow, you're right.

I was talking more about

but good point.

 

[spindashing]

New Punk>>>>>Old Punk.

Punk is the same character that he's always has been as a heel, it's just now he has a more prominent role.

 

[bill0527]

I thought it was a real good Raw. Most of the matches were somewhere between somewhat decent and pretty damn good for TV.

I still don't get Zack Ryder though. Most of the audience seems lost on him too. Squashing Michael Cole in 28 seconds ? ehh it was probably the lowlight of Raw for me.

I marked out when CM Punk appeared. Yeah I think it may be rushed, but lets see how the storyline plays out next week. Lets see if Punk can deliver a convincing promo to keep us buying this angle. I'll give it until next week before I'm ready to shit all over the whole Punk angle of the last couple of months.

 

[BFIB]

I thought it was a real good Raw. Most of the matches were somewhere between somewhat decent and pretty damn good for TV.

I still don't get Zack Ryder though. Most of the audience seems lost on him too. Squashing Michael Cole in 28 seconds ? ehh it was probably the lowlight of Raw for me.

I marked out when CM Punk appeared. Yeah I think it may be rushed, but lets see how the storyline plays out next week. Lets see if Punk can deliver a convincing promo to keep us buying this angle. I'll give it until next week before I'm ready to shit all over the whole Punk angle of the last couple of months.

Agreed. I want to have faith that the WWE will not mess this up, but after seeing Punk reappear last night, I have a feeling this angle will end poorly.

In the words of Benoit, WWE, prove me wrong!

 

[Arrowgigantic]

Punk is the same character that he's always has been as a heel, it's just now he has a more prominent role.

While it'd be interesting if he kept Tyler Durdening, I don't think it's going to be the same. At the very least his days of helping stables lose until they all get injured or fired are behind him.

 

[PopfulMail]

I've been in and out of wrestling since the mid 80's.... and I'll be damned if the WWE hasn't had me hyped lately. I got tickets for the Sept 5th RAW and I just dropped another $60+ on Punk and Ryder shirts along with some of JRs jerky. Maybe I'm just getting old and foolish... but this last month has been a great ride for me and I'm glad to be watching again.

 

[mooooose]

Punk is the same character that he's always has been as a heel, it's just now he has a more prominent role.

Punk's ability to adapt though is amazing.

When he turned heel on Jeff, it was so slow and great. He was a heel because he beat Jeff. He grew resentful towards Jeff. Then he started pointing out everything wrong with Jeff, and how he, himself, doesn't have those flaws because he was straight edge. He was preaching to the crowd but he was still a face, wanting their admiration.

Then as time passed, he became a flat out heel. Generic almost, but his mic skills kept him above anyone. The Straight Edge Society was a good vehicle for him to just TALK. Things like Royal Rumble 2010 were really great stuff from Punk. The cult leader atmosphere he brought to himself, and even USED in the ring (where he'd say he'd accept someone in the straight edge society and then hit them) and the putting the right hand to the television screen... all good.

After SES, that's when I think Punk was losing some belief in his own career. The stuff with Nexus and Cena started off great, taking his preacher character to the masses but it fumbled because they had no faith in him. Some people liked his Orton feud and thought the matches were good but I didn't personally.

Now, he's a similar character to his heel one, but he isn't just saying he was wronged, he's brought to the surface that he IS wronged. From his chance at the top star spot to the title he rightfully won, he wasn't getting the respect he deserved. His grand entrance back in the company with his title, is him MAKING himself the star. He's a renegade star.

All this time, he's been changing his look too. From the long hair, to the beard, to the bald, to the short hair, to the blonde hair, to the slicked back greaser look. From the black hoodies, to the stupid Punk shirts, to the stupid Nexus/Punk shirts, finally to the first decent piece of merch WWE has ever put out.

Punk is great because when he changes his look, it isn't just the color of his fucking shirt.

 

[Arrowgigantic]

I still don't get Zack Ryder though.

He is a happy guy who likes wrestling (I mean the whole biz, not just the grappling). If you don't get it, you're missing one of those two factors.