Exploring Potential Scenarios for CM Punk's Involvement in WrestleMania XL: 5 Possible Appearances

March 12, 2024

Exploring Potential Scenarios for CM Punk's Involvement in WrestleMania XL: 5 Possible Appearances

CM Punk has been promoted for the upcoming March 25th Monday Night Raw at the Allstate Arena in Chicago. Is this merely a strategic move by WWE, anticipating the enthusiastic hometown crowd support, or could there be a different strategy behind his presence?

Might he be revealing his participation in some capacity in the festivities of WrestleMania XL? I've been pondering this possibility, and although there's a chance he may not be involved in the year's biggest event, I can envision five potential scenarios in which WWE could make use of him.

Option 1: CM Punk as the Special Guest Referee for Seth Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre is undoubtedly my preferred choice, with no contenders. The intense animosity between Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre, coupled with their individual grievances with CM Punk, adds a captivating dynamic to the match.

Punk would impartially officiate the match, given his disdain for both competitors, creating moments where Rollins and McIntyre accuse him of favoritism. Perhaps an unintended consequence leads to Rollins losing the championship, blaming Punk instead of himself or attributing it to his recent injury and the previous night's match.

This scenario effectively keeps CM Punk in the spotlight, setting the stage for a potential feud with the titleholder, whether it's Seth or Drew. If Punk is ready to return to the ring by SummerSlam, it paves the way for an intriguing match.

However, the feasibility of this option hinges on Punk's ability to be physically active. While being a referee differs from actively participating in the match, the role still demands brisk movement, aggressive mat interactions, and consistent pinfall counting. Considering Punk's potential limitations, especially with a torn triceps, the practicality of this scenario remains uncertain.

However, in my perspective, if there's any conceivable way for him to take on that role, WWE should seize the opportunity. It would significantly elevate the stakes and marquee value of the World Heavyweight Championship match, compensating for those who purchased tickets expecting to witness him in action.

Option 2: If physical participation is entirely ruled out for Punk, at least his verbal skills remain intact. Entrusting him with the role of emcee for WrestleMania 40 could add a unique flavor to the event. Even though it might lead to puns like "MC Punk," his gift of gab could allow him to cut compelling promos, enhancing the overall experience. Hosting WrestleMania has been successful with figures like The Rock or Stone Cold Steve Austin, adding to the storytelling and crowd hype. Punk could leverage his charisma to contribute to the show, potentially even exerting a temporary host's power to influence a match, similar to past instances with The New Day.

Option 3: Another possibility is having CM Punk join the commentary booth for WrestleMania, either for the entire show or at least one match, preferably the World Heavyweight Championship bout. While WWE might claim there's no room for specific segments dedicated to Punk talking, it's argued that the company often includes unnecessary time-fillers that could be trimmed down to accommodate such segments. Punk's experience in commentary, coupled with his proficiency, could bring a fresh dynamic to the broadcast. Additionally, this move could give regular commentators like Michael Cole, Pat McAfee, Corey Graves, and Wade Barrett a chance to preserve their voices, as they often strain during the two-night event.

Option 4: Another alternative could involve CM Punk making a guest appearance on The Grayson Waller Effect for a dedicated promo segment in the ring. If not on commentary, this could be an opportunity for Punk to engage in some physical activity, potentially delivering the GTS on Waller and/or Austin Theory to elicit a reaction from the audience. The Grayson Waller Effect is suggested as the preferred talk segment over The KO Show or others, as it appears to be the most probable choice. Given Waller's current absence from the match card, incorporating him into the segment seems more logical than opting for a Carlito's Cabana setup for no apparent reason. While not the preferred option, this approach could still generate excitement, with fans expressing disapproval for Waller and Theory's disparaging remarks about Punk's injury, followed by Punk retaliating, leaving them incapacitated on the mat before his exit and theme music playing.

Option 5: In a less favorable scenario that still involves Punk in a capacity other than complete exclusion, he could take on duty as part of the Kickoff Panel. WrestleMania's recent pre-shows have featured a rotating panel, with Kayla Braxton or Jackie Redmond likely serving as the constant host. Although Matt Camp is no longer present, Sam Roberts and Pete Rosenberg are regular contributors. With Jerry Lawler possibly unavailable, John "Bradshaw" Layfield and Booker T are likely to participate. Punk could join this lineup for a few segments, sharing predictions, possibly criticizing Rollins and McIntyre, expressing his disinterest in either of them winning but asserting his intention to vie for the title regardless of the outcome. While not a traditional appearance in front of the stadium audience, this would technically mark his presence on the event.

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Exploring Potential Scenarios for CM Punk's Involvement in WrestleMania XL: 5 Possible Appearances

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