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This week I will be writing about why CM Punk should sign with NJPW. So, let’s take aim…
With CM Punk at a bit of a crossroads at life – what with his UFC career going down like a led balloon and the burnt bridges with WWE showing no signs of resurrection. No doubt Punk will be inundated with offers from far and wide – inside and outside of combat sports, but I’m going to explain why his next destination NEEDS to be New Japan Pro Wrestling.
Cm Punk’s UFC Career DEAD.
Even the most die-hard of CM Punk’s disciples must now admit that there is no place in MMA for Phil Brooks. Note I don’t conclude just the UFC – I don’t want to see Punk in Bellator, I don’t want to see Punk in an exhibition MMA fight in Russia. CM Punk has zero place inside a professional octagon.
We all know CM Punk has probably the most stubborn mind in the wrestling industry – so admitting defeat in the world of MMA will be hard for the strong headed Chicago native yet he has to realise – quickly – his foray into this sport is over. Not only is he bringing his own reputation into question, he is also now bringing the integrity of MMA into repute – no matter how much money he can draw on an otherwise average card.
Do you know where CM Punk does excel? The wrestling ring AKA the squared circle. Wake up, Phillip.
NJPW is a Potential Paradise for Punk
New Japan under the guise of head-booker Gedo is going from perfect event to perfect event. They are putting on some of the great exhibition of athleticism and wrestling several times a year.
The quality of matches in Japan right now aren’t a million miles away from the matches Punk would have earlier in his pre-WWE days, long epic masterpieces with beautiful stories being portrayed – NJPW in 2018 is a promotion made in heaven for CM Punk
The way in which NJPW organise tournaments would be perfect for CM Punk to come in and out of at will throughout the year, causing the biggest shockwaves in the wrestling industry we have seen in decades.
WWE? Huh? more like McWrestling
On the flipside of this – in America, WWE has marginally improved in some areas while still flounders aimlessly in others. Many of the triggers for the internal battles CM Punk fought during his tenure still exist today and I cannot see Punk being happy back under McMahon’s control today.
The power structure which Punk loathed is still firmly in place and shows no sign of moving anytime soon. Even considering Vince’s old age – I still cannot see Punk being the best he can be under Triple H either.
It’s a shame – we all want to see CM Punk on the grandest stage of them all – but what I’d actually like to see more than that is a happy Punk, performing to the best of his ability which is with free reign with his own creative control.
Creative Control
This is one hell of a big factor in what is putting the New Japan product way ahead of WWE in 2018 – letting the talent have somewhat of a control over creative aspects in their career.
We’ve seen superstars have various amounts of creative control within their careers and it would be speculating to say exactly how much input the New Japan roster has. Listening to interviews with such stars as Kenny Omega does go a long way in showing NJPW are much more willing to let the wrestlers have a creative input. Unlike WCW in the 90s, I cannot imagine that they are giving stars complete control – this has proven to be a terrible idea on so many occasions. This being said, letting the guys have a much more active role in deciding overall character direction and promos let them fulfil their potential fully.
This was a battle CM Punk fought long and hard for years, he wanted a much greater input and had a clear vision of how he should be portrayed within the company. Some would say this is a strong-minded bad attitude, others would note this is the much fabled “reaching for the brass ring” Either way – CM Punk would be much happier on the other side of the Pacific Ocean with more creative control.
It would piss Vince McMahon off
Can you imagine the expression which will dawn upon McMahon’s ageing face when he receives the news the hottest free agent in wrestling history has decided to sign on the dotted line for Japan? Imagine Hulk signing for WCW in the early 90s times ten.
CM Punk signing for NJPW would create a legitimate competitor for WWE, it truly would be that much of a gargantuan event. The tectonic plates which hold the wrestling world together would shift more so with one stroke of a pen then they have in 20 years.
It would seem Vince and the Company have gone out of their way to screw with Punk – especially in the recent lawsuit case. This is the ultimate moment for Punk to avenge all of those ice cream bars he didn’t get, all those RAW’s he adorned the World Title belt but was never treated as a champion and let’s not forget – for getting fired on your wedding day. Please do it, Phil, Please.
So, that’s why I think Punk could be great again in NJPW, but what do you think?
Let me know below or on twitter – @SalfordSmith61 and come back next Wednesday for more #ShootWithSmith.
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