CM Punk just quit the WWE.

[superhippy420]

I didn't see anyone post it yet but we have both out 1st indication that this is a work.

http://msn.foxsports.com/ufc/haymaker/gracie-cm-punk-is-interested-in-mma-and-there-s-no-limit-to-his-potential-012914

Basically Rener Gracie was giving an interview about Punk, and during it received a text from Punk saying "I will be in town in 2 weeks, lets hook up". In town means LA (which is where Raw is in 2 weeks), and this interview took place after the walkout.

The only other news that hints at the future is that WWE officials were taking CM Punk signs away at the NXT tapings. This could be interpretated either way. If it is a work, they are going all out, thats about it.


I haven't posted since the OP, but from everything I have read here is my take on what is going on. I do think Punk legitimately walked out. His Comic-Con interview spoke volumes. He is fed up with creative booking the show week to week and having a total lack of direction for the entire product. He also said that he feels his time to main event was in the last 2 years, and that he feels this is Bryan's time. Punk wants to be part of a product that is good. His biggest goal in the WWE was to change the culture, and it just hasn't happened. I think the fans booing Batista out of the arena was the final straw. Not only do the full-timers deserve more, but the fans are begging for them.

That being said I also think he will be back by Wrestlemania. The WWE has too much riding on the WWE Networks success to lose Punks fanbase right now. By making it $9.99 per month they just handed the power back to the average fan, and took it away from the upper / upper-middle class fans. Instead of 200k buys per PPV + 1 million for Wrestlemania, now they need about 1.8 million WWE Network subscriptions just to break even on the loss of PPV's and DVD sales. On top of all that sites like Bleacher Report were getting about 500k hits on the "CM Punk Quits" article and was in the top 3 in trends on twitter for almost 2 days. That's called legitimate star power. Vince will give Punk a bigger match and a long break to heal his injuries. He has 2 legitimate main eventers right now in Punk and Bryan. Batista is already a failure and any expected buyrate bump, is pretty much shot. Cena and Orton have been at the top way too long and don't draw anymore. Punk will be back, unless HHH pushes hard to prevent it, which I could see as well. The guy needs to bury his own ego, its been killing the product for a decade.