2 Huge WWE Returns That Could Reinvigorate The Company
CM Punk
Following his civil trial lawsuit victory over WWE doctor Chris Amann, CM Punk himself seemed to have put the kibosh on a possible pro wrestling return, but the former WWE Champion has slowly but surely reopened the door to the pro wrestling world, where truly anything is possible.
Punk, of course, unceremoniously left WWE in early 2014 and has since made the transition to UFC, appearing to put pro wrestling in the rearview mirror in the process. But if names like Bruno Sammartino, The Ultimate Warrior and Goldberg, who all had troubled relationships with WWE at one point, can return to the company, it’s certainly possible that Punk could too, especially after suffering his second straight bad loss at UFC 225. And though we may never for sure, it would be a shocker if Vince McMahon didn’t let bygones be bygones and welcome him back with open arms.
Once rivaling Cena in terms of merchandise sales, Punk proved to be a tremendous draw for his first UFC fight, and the evidence indicated that he was a great draw during his record WWE Championship reign as well. Punk is still clearly very popular in the pro wrestling world and was even offered $1 million to return to the ring last year, showing that fan interest in seeing him back in the squared circle is definitely still there.
Other than perhaps only The Rock, Punk is the name most commonly brought up by fans when they talk about which major stars they’d like to see return to the company, and with good reason. Punk is one of the most well-rounded performers in WWE history, and as someone who’s demonstrated that he can be a must-see attraction both in and out of the ring, it would be an absolute no-brainer for WWE to bring him back if all the cards fell the right way.
To use an old cliche, never say never in pro wrestling, even when it comes to something seemingly as unlikely as a return for Punk, who for now appears to be done with pro wrestling but could ultimately change his mind, especially if he continues to struggle in MMA.
Blake Oestriecher is an elementary school teacher by day and a sports writer by night. He’s a contributor to the Forbes @SportsMoneyBlog, where he primarily covers WWE. You can follow him on Twitter @BOestriecher.
Other than perhaps only The Rock, Punk is the name most commonly brought up by fans when they talk about which major stars they’d like to see return to the company, and with good reason. Punk is one of the most well-rounded performers in WWE history, and as someone who’s demonstrated that he can be a must-see attraction both in and out of the ring, it would be an absolute no-brainer for WWE to bring him back if all the cards fell the right way.
To use an old cliche, never say never in pro wrestling, even when it comes to something seemingly as unlikely as a return for Punk, who for now appears to be done with pro wrestling but could ultimately change his mind, especially if he continues to struggle in MMA.
Blake Oestriecher is an elementary school teacher by day and a sports writer by night. He’s a contributor to the Forbes @SportsMoneyBlog, where he primarily covers WWE. You can follow him on Twitter @BOestriecher.
The Rock
A recent poll indicated that Hulk Hogan is the only pro wrestler on the planet who is more recognizable than The Rock.
Given that The Rock has been the world’s No. 1 or 2 highest paid actor in each of the past two years (according to FORBES), however, it’s safe to say that there is no bigger movie or wrestling star on the planet right now than “The Great One.” Although The Rock hasn’t wrestled a legitimate WWE match since WrestleMania 29 in 2013, WWE tried to secure the biggest name in Hollywood for a WrestleMania 34 match alongside Ronda Rousey but was unable to do so.
Still, that won’t prevent WWE from attempting to bring back The Rock for at least one more major feud and match, nor should it. The biggest holdup that may stop The Rock from ever wrestling again is an insurance issue, essentially meaning that Hollywood execs won’t want the production of a blockbuster film to be delayed if The Rock were to get injured while competing inside the squared circle. Combine that potential roadblock with The Rock’s busy schedule, and there’s no guarantee that he’ll ever be able to work for Vince McMahon again.
However, The Rock is obviously a proven draw, whose WrestleMania 28 match against John Cena generated the most PPV buys in company history, and with his star power growing exponentially since then, WWE will continue to try to land The Rock for one last major rivalry. With new lucrative TV deals looming, WWE will have both the funds and the motivation to bring back a name like The Rock to start off on the right foot under the terms of their new deals on USA Network or FOX.
There is no bigger star in the pro wrestling world than The Rock, and his return, even a short-lived one, could be a game-changer that both spices up WWE’s programming and brings back lapsed fans.
CM Punk
Following his civil trial lawsuit victory over WWE doctor Chris Amann, CM Punk himself seemed to have put the kibosh on a possible pro wrestling return, but the former WWE Champion has slowly but surely reopened the door to the pro wrestling world, where truly anything is possible.
Punk, of course, unceremoniously left WWE in early 2014 and has since made the transition to UFC, appearing to put pro wrestling in the rearview mirror in the process. But if names like Bruno Sammartino, The Ultimate Warrior and Goldberg, who all had troubled relationships with WWE at one point, can return to the company, it’s certainly possible that Punk could too, especially after suffering his second straight bad loss at UFC 225. And though we may never for sure, it would be a shocker if Vince McMahon didn’t let bygones be bygones and welcome him back with open arms.
Once rivaling Cena in terms of merchandise sales, Punk proved to be a tremendous draw for his first UFC fight, and the evidence indicated that he was a great draw during his record WWE Championship reign as well. Punk is still clearly very popular in the pro wrestling world and was even offered $1 million to return to the ring last year, showing that fan interest in seeing him back in the squared circle is definitely still there.
Other than perhaps only The Rock, Punk is the name most commonly brought up by fans when they talk about which major stars they’d like to see return to the company, and with good reason. Punk is one of the most well-rounded performers in WWE history, and as someone who’s demonstrated that he can be a must-see attraction both in and out of the ring, it would be an absolute no-brainer for WWE to bring him back if all the cards fell the right way.
To use an old cliche, never say never in pro wrestling, even when it comes to something seemingly as unlikely as a return for Punk, who for now appears to be done with pro wrestling but could ultimately change his mind, especially if he continues to struggle in MMA.
Blake Oestriecher is an elementary school teacher by day and a sports writer by night. He’s a contributor to the Forbes @SportsMoneyBlog, where he primarily covers WWE. You can follow him on Twitter @BOestriecher.
Other than perhaps only The Rock, Punk is the name most commonly brought up by fans when they talk about which major stars they’d like to see return to the company, and with good reason. Punk is one of the most well-rounded performers in WWE history, and as someone who’s demonstrated that he can be a must-see attraction both in and out of the ring, it would be an absolute no-brainer for WWE to bring him back if all the cards fell the right way.
To use an old cliche, never say never in pro wrestling, even when it comes to something seemingly as unlikely as a return for Punk, who for now appears to be done with pro wrestling but could ultimately change his mind, especially if he continues to struggle in MMA.
Blake Oestriecher is an elementary school teacher by day and a sports writer by night. He’s a contributor to the Forbes @SportsMoneyBlog, where he primarily covers WWE. You can follow him on Twitter @BOestriecher.
The Rock
A recent poll indicated that Hulk Hogan is the only pro wrestler on the planet who is more recognizable than The Rock.
Given that The Rock has been the world’s No. 1 or 2 highest paid actor in each of the past two years (according to FORBES), however, it’s safe to say that there is no bigger movie or wrestling star on the planet right now than “The Great One.” Although The Rock hasn’t wrestled a legitimate WWE match since WrestleMania 29 in 2013, WWE tried to secure the biggest name in Hollywood for a WrestleMania 34 match alongside Ronda Rousey but was unable to do so.
Still, that won’t prevent WWE from attempting to bring back The Rock for at least one more major feud and match, nor should it. The biggest holdup that may stop The Rock from ever wrestling again is an insurance issue, essentially meaning that Hollywood execs won’t want the production of a blockbuster film to be delayed if The Rock were to get injured while competing inside the squared circle. Combine that potential roadblock with The Rock’s busy schedule, and there’s no guarantee that he’ll ever be able to work for Vince McMahon again.
However, The Rock is obviously a proven draw, whose WrestleMania 28 match against John Cena generated the most PPV buys in company history, and with his star power growing exponentially since then, WWE will continue to try to land The Rock for one last major rivalry. With new lucrative TV deals looming, WWE will have both the funds and the motivation to bring back a name like The Rock to start off on the right foot under the terms of their new deals on USA Network or FOX.
There is no bigger star in the pro wrestling world than The Rock, and his return, even a short-lived one, could be a game-changer that both spices up WWE’s programming and brings back lapsed fans.
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