It's a matchup that's been way too long coming: CM Punk vs. Mickey Gall.
Here's a promo for their upcoming fight.
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And if you like MMA UFC action, check out the "Pit Fighters" combat sports series from ZBFbooks.com today in paperback or Kindle HERE.
BOWIE V. IBARRA is the author of the 'Down the Road' zombie horror series from Permuted Press. He's earned a BFA in Acting and a MA in Theatre History from Texas State University. Network with Bowie and check out his books at his official website, ZBFbooks.com.
WWE'S AGENT OF CHANGE CUTS TIES WITH WWE, STOKES REVOLUTION, MMA RUMORS by Bowie V. Ibarra
If there's one guy who has no problem cutting himself loose of situations he's unhappy with, its CM Punk. In January, 2014, news was reported that CM Punk walked away from WWE after The Royal Rumble, only months before WWE's biggest show, WrestleMania. The move rocked not only the WWE, but the wrestling world, as Punk was one of the organization's brightest stars.
But for those who have followed Punk, and especially viewed his WWE DVD, 'CM Punk: Best in the World', the move should be no surprise.
One of the recurring themes in the documentary opens the whole DVD. The first story told about CM Punk describes how he left his own home because he thought his parents were treating him unfairly, giving attention and resources to his brother.
What was Punk's solution to the problem at home? He cut his losses and left his home, moving in with the family of a friend. In his own words, he was, "...not getting what he needs, he doesn't cry about it. He just goes here and gets what he needs."
Look at the 'Summer (Slam) of Punk'. CM Punk was ready to walk yet again and ended up with a historic modern title run. His contract was up, and he was tired of where he was heading. This was not like Ultimate Warrior vs. Jake Roberts at WrestleMania from years back, holding Vince over a barrel for more loot. This was CM Punk wanting so much more for WWE than just a fat paycheck.
But the DVD also seems to put on display Punk's lack of confidence in management's belief in him. Something that seemed apparent was that Punk was always ready to leave after a title run with the phrase, "Well, this won't last long." Punk seems to always have leaving on his mind.
Since we're talking pro-wrestling here, you better believe I still think this could be some kind of elaborate work. But considering his philosophy on life and what he's done before, he's probably gone unless Vince provides some kind of offer he couldn't refuse. Which would be wise if WWE wants the gravy train that is CM Punk.
But 'wise' is certainly not a trait that management at WWE has had over the past few years.
MMA RUMORS
The DVD also revealed how the guy hates to stagnate, which also supports the idea that he is really gone.
He talked about 'doing everything he could do' in Ring of Honor before leaving. This example could be yet another indicator of his mindset about his time in WWE. He's been an ECW champ. He's been IC champ. He's been a tag champ. He's won two 'Money in the Bank' matches. He's had World Title runs. He's had WWE title runs. When you think about it, the guy might have been thinking 'I've done everything I can do in WWE'.
It's that example that he's set, cutting himself loose from an organization when he feels he's burnt out, then it makes sense that he might make the rumored move to MMA. The guy has experience and training in Jiu-Jitsu, so he could hold his own. Even his jiu-jitsu coaches at the Gracie Academy are saying he's got potential.
I think Punk has a great chance to do well in MMA. He's got a good foundation in grappling, and he's probably pretty tough when it comes to fighting. And his tattoos are better than most every MMA fighter out there.
But let's face it, there's going to be a learning curve when it comes to getting punched and kicked in the face. Brock Lesner had a great run in UFC, but he did not like being punched in the face. Dave Batista also had a short run in MMA. Punk's tough, but like an MMA guy couldn't walk into the WWE and 'pro-wrestle', Punk's going to need to take some time and participate in some bush league MMA scraps and cut his teeth in the pits of MMA before he can compete on the UFC's level.
However, Dana can smell money. And he already knew what Brock did for him in regards to paydays, booking a UFC fight for Punk would be money for Dana.
And Punk.
It will also be another challenge, another mountain to climb for CM Punk. If he's tired of pro-wrestling, then MMA might be his next big move.
I don't know about you, but that would be fun to watch play out.
Here's a clip of CM Punk practicing jiu-jitsu with a Gracie legacy.
PUNK'S WWE LEGACY
Could you consider Punk a martyr? Maybe. The guy came in wanting to change WWE, and you could say he did. Now, without Punk on the program, the fans are rebelling against the WWE machine. Just this past Monday Night Raw, sans Punk, the crowd spent the night chanting his name. They could take away the fan's signs, but they can't take away their voices.
Maybe Punk did finally get that revolution he always wanted after all.
If you enjoy pro-wrestling and MMA fights, consider the 'Pit Fighter' combat sports book series from ZBFbooks.com. 'Pit Fighters: Baptism by Fire' and 'Pit Fighters: Double Cross' are combat sports-themed books that features fights from the early days of MMA, and plenty of underground money fights. You've got to check them out, and they're available on Kindle or paperback today.
BOWIE V. IBARRA is the author of the 'Down the Road' zombie horror series from Permuted Press and Simon and Schuster. His latest story, 'Tejano Star and the Vengeance of Chaplain Skull' is a Tex-Mexploitation superhero story in the tradition of 'Machete' and 'Black Dynamite'. Get it in paperback or Kindle today.
It was pretty much WWE going 'lets return to the status quo, back to what everybody hated before' so they can pander to the people who are only going to stick around for 'mania and abandon them for the remainder of the year. Ah, well, it had its moments.
DEL RIO VS. SHOW - WORLD TITLE MATCH
It was about two Rumbles ago now that Del Rio won the entire event. And at that event, he was the 'Mexican Aristocrat' that was a not-so-subtle angle similar to the immigration issue that was at the forefront of politics at the time. Now, with the issue being buried and only recently resurrected again, it was a good time for Del Rio to be a smiling good guy. Either way, I've been a fan and will always be a fan.
Del Rio and Ricardo Rodriguez made show look stupid by taping his leg to the ring rope and having Del Rio humiliate him, taking the victory. But Del Rio paid a steep price for it on Raw the next day. We'll see how this progresses on the road to 'mania.
Photo courtesy WWE.COM
THE ROYAL RUMBLE
It was a good time. I didn't mind it, and thought it was better than last year. Here are some notable moments:
- Jericho returns at the number 2 spot - My buddy Brandon Stroud made sense of it on his review (which you need to read and follow to get his great 'Best and Worst' blogs). But for me, it was just whatever. He showed up before, and I thought it was cool. But then he bailed afterwards. I support him, bought the DVD, etc. I just hope more comes from this run than just getting a check to finance his rock career.
- Goldust vs. Cody Rhodes aka Brother against Brother - It was a confrontation the Twitterverse was calling for for years, and it went down finally at the Rumble. It was great, with Cody getting the advantage on his brother and throwing him out.
- Kofi gets kicked out of the Rumble by Rhodes - After taking the time to hop back to the ring after being placed on the announce table by Tensai, Kofi hopped on a chair back to the ring. But his return was short lived as Rhodes drop-kicked him the f**k out of the Rumble.
- Shemus getting kicked out near the end - I took great joy watching the fans cheer for that POS Shemus before getting kicked out near the very end. I swear, if that turd won again, I was going to be mad. So it was great to see him get thrown out at the very end and cheer in front of his supporters.
- Cena wins Rumble - And, for a minute there, I thought someone else was going to win. This has definitely turned into a Hogan 'I'm sick of you always winning' run.
Photo courtesy WWE.COM
PUNK VS ROCK - WWE TITLE
Wild match up that ended strangely. But it started strong, with Punk getting in the Rock's face with the title and the announcement like a pro-boxing title fight. That was cool.
- Rock 'breaks the count' - I have to admit, I absolutely positively 'LOVED' Rock going old school and breaking the refs count during some crazy action outside the ring. I wish I could see this more these days.
- Heyman needed to help pace Punk - I was upset at all the highspots Punk was taking to defeat Rock. Lots of top rope maneuvers were killing me and taking a toll on Punk. He grabbed at his knee several times, a clear sign he was not at 100%. I've had knee surgery and it sucks. It also takes time to heal. I didn't want to see Punk re-injure it. And for that, I felt Heyman needed to pace him on those risks.
- Rock gets jumped in the dark - Rock gets jumped in the dark, somehow, by mystery people, and Punk pins him for the win when the lights come back on. That was a crappy finish to what was a pretty good match up to that point. Then it got even more craptacular.
- Rock wins WWE Title - Rock calls off McMahon, who wants to strip Punk of the title with no definitive evidence of The Shield interfering, and gets back into the match and wins it. I have to admit, I was okay with that, because Punk taking the win that way was kind of crappy. I hoped he had enough to put a hurting Rock away, but a healthier and stronger Rock got the best of a recovering from knee injury Punk.
Considering that, I would have liked to see a 100% Punk against a 100% Rock. I think Punk not having a match that pushed him like this one, a tune-up match so to speak, really played to Rock's advantage. Rock's a beast when it comes to training, and even though he'd not been in the ring for months in a match like this, I think his strength, conditioning, rich WWE main even experience, and healthier overall fitness helped him out.
You got to respect Punk's title run, which is the longest run in recent memory. And you've got to respect him stepping into the ring running on half a tank to defend the title he earned, loves, and has shown the most respect to. Rock was just too much for an unhealthy Punk, and he takes the WWE Title down the road to WrestleMania.
============
BOWIE
V. IBARRA is the author of the 'Down the Road' zombie horror series from
Permuted Press and Simon and Schuester.
His
combat sports themed book, PIT FIGHTERS: BAPTISM BY FIRE,
features a luchador from Mexico who transitions to mixed martial arts
competition. It is available in paperback and on Kindle for .99
cents.
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