1/23: WWE Raw Super Show in Phoenix; Q&A with CM Punk
by Randy Cordova – Jan. 17, 2012 11:19 AM
The Republic | azcentral.com
A man with 11 championships under his belt, CM Punk is a major star to World Wrestling Entertainment fans. Still, it’s not easy being famous: The public isn’t always polite, just like the man who interrupted his conversation to take pictures of him on the treadmill.
Punk follows the straight-edge lifestyle, meaning he stays away from alcohol and recreational drugs. He talks about being straight edge and the WWE life in a phone call from a Texas gym.
Question: What is it like being a WWE star?
Answer: You know, I really can’t compare it to anything else. It’s probably the busiest job in the world.
Q: Do you get much down time?
A: I was home for six days a week before Christmas. That was like the first time in 10 years that happened. I kind of went crazy after three days. It’s a bit of a culture shock.
Q: WWE has a huge international following. Do you have a favorite place to visit?
A: I love going to Japan. They treat pro wrestling like it’s baseball over there. They have amazing fans. They’re very respectful.
Q: Are American fans not respectful?
A: It’s just a lack of "excuse me" and "please" and "thank you." I’m a pretty approachable guy, but I’ve had my headphones taken off my head in the gym, people poking me in the back like I’m a farm animal. It’s a part of the game.
Hear what WWE Champion CM Punk had to say after Interim Raw GM John Laurinaitis’ shocking confession that he’ll try to cost him the title at the 25th anniversary of the Royal Rumble.
Related Links:
WWE.com Exclusive: CM Punk reacts to John Laurinaitis’ confession
Raw from Anaheim had some stellar moments headlined by the Austin-esque promo by CM Punk directed at the interim Raw GM. The words of @cmpunk felt organic and genuine which always resonate better with the live audience and the TV viewer.
It is promos like these that helps a talent emotionally connect with the fan whether they be fan favorite or villain. It’s too bad that more talents don’t fully grasp the importance of ‘owning’ their promos.
Dolph Ziggler also had a meaningful promo at the beginning of RAW and continue to elevate his TV persona. It could be argued that Ziggler is only a significant match or two away from taking his game definitively to the next level specifically if those high level bouts have the time to mature and tell a compelling story.
That may be what we get at the Royal Rumble in St. Louis between WWE Champ Punk and challenger Ziggler. I look for these two to tear down the house in St Louis which is nearing sellout status.
Source: jrsbarbq.com
WWE.com spoke to John Laurinaitis about his confession that he’s going to screw CM Punk at Royal Rumble. What promise did Laurinaitis make about the Jan. 29 pay-per-view?
Related Links:
WWE.com Exclusive: John Laurinaitis explains his actions following Raw SuperShow
@TobyH2O: Me @CMPunk @str8edgeracer #Music #Baseball #Wrestling #PMA #OLOC #Str8edge4life! lockerz.com/s/175329524
Related Links:
Pictures from other websites > Twitter.com > Toby Morse’s Twitter
[ Digitals | Screen caps ]
Interim Raw General Manager John Laurinaitis denied Mick Foley’s request to be in the Royal Rumble Match
After Mick Foley kicked off Raw SuperShow by expressing his desire to be in the 2012 Royal Rumble Match – so that his two kids could see him compete – he was quickly criticized for such a lofty dream by former United States Champion Dolph Ziggler. Foley clarified that his goal was to be in the Royal Rumble Match to win it. After more harsh words for the WWE Legend, Ziggler told Foley to “just go away.”
Next, Ziggler’s Royal Rumble opponent, WWE Champion CM Punk, came out to greet his fellow “unconventional” Superstar, pointing out that neither hide behind a woman. The WWE Champion also called Ziggler out for having the GM in his back pocket for their match at Royal Rumble.
As tensions grew in the ring, Laurinaitis emerged and said although he considered Foley’s request to be in the Royal Rumble Match, his answer was “no”! After the blunt answer, Vickie cackled in Foley’s face.
The Interim Raw GM Laurinaitis changed the main event
The night’s main event was changed by the GM to: Chris Jericho, WWE Champion CM Punk & World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan vs. Mark Henry, Dolph Ziggler & David Otunga.
@CMPunk: …and here’s the reason I haven’t tweeted in a while: pic.twitter.com/Y9UbLjxm
Related Links:
Pictures from other websites > Twitter.com > CM Punk’s Twitter
Special guest referees: Not so black and white
By: Alex Giannini | January 16, 2012
Eyebrows across the WWE Universe were raised when Executive Vice President of Talent Relations and Interim Raw General Manager John Laurinaitis named himself special guest referee in the WWE Championship Match between CM Punk and Dolph Ziggler at the 25th anniversary of the Royal Rumble on Jan. 29.
Because of the Interim GM’s rocky relationship with CM Punk, the WWE Universe is left to wonder what role Laurinaitis might play in determining the WWE Championship. Despite being true to his word and banning Jack Swagger and Vickie Guerrero from ringside at the Rumble, the WWE Universe is left unconvinced of Mr. Laurinaitis’s ability to remain impartial – at least according to numerous posts on Facebook and Twitter. If he does work his way into deciding the outcome of the match, just how stacked will the deck be against The Second City Savior with the title on the line? For that matter, should Dolph Ziggler feel all that comfortable with the new guest referee? After all, Laurinaitis lived up to his word on the Jan. 9 Raw SuperShow, and banned both Jack Swagger and Vickie Guerrero from ringside.
As history has shown, when a WWE authority figure works him or herself into a guest officiating role during an important match, there’s just no telling what might happen. Though it’s a pretty safe bet that in their WWE Championship Match at the Royal Rumble, either the champion or challenger will not be happy with the guest official’s final decision.
CM PUNK
Last Week: 4
This Week: 3
Coming off two losses to Dolph Ziggler, WWE Champion CM Punk may have turned the tides by defeating Jack Swagger on WWE Raw SuperShow. This victory also resulted in Swagger and Vickie Guerrero being banned from ringside in Punk’s match against Ziggler at Royal Rumble.
WWE champion CM Punk will not escort Chael Sonnen to the Octagon prior to Sonnen’s fight against Mark Munoz on Jan. 28, after all.
Punk confirmed with MMAFighting.com that WWE chairman Vince McMahon decided against allowing him to walk out to the cage with Sonnen later this month. MMA reporter FrontRowBrian first reported the news Friday afternoon.
The Punk/Sonnen pairing created a major buzz in both the MMA and professional wrestling world when it was first reported, but most assumed it was UFC president Dana White who would be against the idea of a pro wrestler walking out to the cage with a top fighter on FOX, not McMahon.
Source: mmafighting.com
