CM Punk and the Five-Year Run

[Threadkiller [Classic]]

With the possibility of July 17 marking the end of CM Punk's WWE career for the foreseeable future, it got me thinking back on Punk's debut almost five years ago exactly.

He debuted on the July 4th, 2006 ECW, and with how he was booked for that first year, many of us thought it'd be another Eddie Guerrero-type march to the top, a chance with the ball that would take years for Punk to be given, if he ever got it at all. It was the belief at the time that because he was "one of us," (i.e., someone we've followed for years and who we knew was incredible and could be a big deal for WWE), he would have to wait longer to get his shot, and he'd wind up being one of the great overlooked talents on the roster, before perhaps getting a token thank you run on the tail end of his career.

But now, five years later:

-ECW Champion
-World Tag Team Champion
-2x Money in the Bank winner
-Intercontinental Champion
-3x World Heavyweight Champion
-3x Slammy Award winner (yes, I'm reaching a bit on that one)
-19th Triple Crown winner in WWE history

Has anyone ever done so much five years out from their TV debut?

HHH debuted in 1995, and by 2000 he was a 3x WWE champion, 2x IC champion, King of the Ring, 2x European champion, and the first heel to walk out of a WM as champion.

But I think I'd have to go back to Kurt Angle to find someone who did as much as Punk has in five years:

Kurt Angle debuted in 1999, and by 2004 he was a European Champion/Intercontinental Champion (at the same time!), Hardcore champion, King of the Ring, Tag Team Champion, 4x WWE champion, WCW United States Champion, WCW World Heavyweight Champion, and WM headliner.

So, if we start the five-year period from their TV debut, has Punk had the best five year run in WWE history, either in terms of accomplishment or in quality performances? Or does Angle hold that distinction? Or maybe it's somebody else altogether?

[joebob27]

It went pretty well for him. He might not have always been a big feature like Jericho was after they worked out the kinks, but he accomplished alot kayfabe wise.

And hell, he won a title basically a week after he left what amounted to Developmental with TV. As his less interesting character. So he got a pretty damn good run for someone who isn't really what you think of as a WWE worker.

[Spearmint*]

It's gone great on paper, but he was never ever The Man, The Number 1 Guy during his reign really. He needed a big heel run with the belt and never really got it. But still I'm not going to take anything away from it, he's done a lot and it's a fantastic list of accomplishments. It's just a shame WWE never truly got behind him as the number 1 brand leader. He could have had a fantastic long reign as a cocky heel champion. But a-las still a great, great 5 years.

[Wolf Hurricane]

Brock Lesnar accomplished an exceptional amount in three:
- Three time WWE Champion
- 2002 King of the Ring winner
- 2003 Royal Rumble winner
- Main evented WrestleMania XIX with Kurt Angle

[rrm15]

Its been one hell of a run, especially compared to the expectation that he'd be yet another indy guy buried and released after a few years. Punk can go out with his head held high, even if he chooses not to come back.

[Threadkiller [Classic]]

Jun 21, 2011 18:10:43 GMT -5 Wolf Hurricane said:

Brock Lesnar accomplished an exceptional amount in three:
- Three time WWE Champion
- 2002 King of the Ring winner
- 2003 Royal Rumble winner
- Main evented WrestleMania XIX with Kurt Angle

Wow. No idea how I forgot about Brock.

That is an impressive run.

And even more impressive when you realize he debuted in April 2002 and was gone in March of 2004. Less than TWO years.

[FUNK_US/BRODUS]

He was never distinguished as THE GUY in his run, but he has had a damn succesful run, and one of, if not the best heel turn of the "WWE" era. (Its him or Jericho)

[noah9322]

During his heel run him and Hardy were the top guys, imo. But he and Hardy had one of the top 3 feuds in the WWE Era.

[derrtaysouth95]

He has been solid for 5 years.

He did a lot more than I ever expected he would.

I remember my feeling the night he cashed in MITB and won the strap for the first time.

[FUNK_US/BRODUS]

Jun 21, 2011 18:33:05 GMT -5 noah9322 said:

During his heel run him and Hardy were the top guys, imo. But he and Hardy had one of the top 3 feuds in the WWE Era.

Not really. They were on the B-show, and Orton vs Cena was on the A-show. While they were a main event level feud and the top thing going on Smackdown, it was Orton/Cena on Raw plus the return of DX going on at the same time.


And yeah, they fit each other absolutely perfectly. Hardy vs Punk is one of the best feuds either man has been in.

[noah9322]

Jun 21, 2011 18:39:07 GMT -5 FUNK_US/BRODUS said:

Jun 21, 2011 18:33:05 GMT -5 noah9322 said:

During his heel run him and Hardy were the top guys, imo. But he and Hardy had one of the top 3 feuds in the WWE Era.

Not really. They were on the B-show, and Orton vs Cena was on the A-show. While they were a main event level feud and the top thing going on Smackdown, it was Orton/Cena on Raw plus the return of DX going on at the same time.


And yeah, they fit each other absolutely perfectly. Hardy vs Punk is one of the best feuds either man has been in.

Oh, I meant on their brand. Yeah, the only time I thought he could be THE guy, was when he took over Nexus. Alas

[Cronant]

Jun 21, 2011 18:39:07 GMT -5 FUNK_US/BRODUS said:

Jun 21, 2011 18:33:05 GMT -5 noah9322 said:

During his heel run him and Hardy were the top guys, imo. But he and Hardy had one of the top 3 feuds in the WWE Era.

Not really. They were on the B-show, and Orton vs Cena was on the A-show. While they were a main event level feud and the top thing going on Smackdown, it was Orton/Cena on Raw plus the return of DX going on at the same time.


And yeah, they fit each other absolutely perfectly. Hardy vs Punk is one of the best feuds either man has been in.

Punk main evented PPVs over them though. Summerslam, Night Of Champions, Breaking Point 2009. That three month stretch he was the show ender.

Not even Orton can do that on Smackdown. But Punk did, and it was over Cena/Orton matches.

[Red Impact]

There's only ever 1 "The Guy" at any given time though. So for Punk not to be that isn't really a knock to me.

[The Ichi]

You forgot another acolade: he basically retired Jeff Hardy.

[Cronant]

Jun 21, 2011 18:44:56 GMT -5 Red Impact said:

There's only ever 1 "The Guy" at any given time though. So for Punk not to be that isn't really a knock to me.

Especially since he was the heel most of the time. His strength is being the top foil.

[jrcz]

Jun 21, 2011 18:45:37 GMT -5 The Ichi said:

You forgot another acolade: he made Jeff Hardy watchable.

[Deleted]

I never really doubted that Punk would be successful in the E, mainly because he has what most indy guys lack: a marketable character, good look, charisma, and mic skills. He is ready made for the WWE.

I'm not saying that I would have predicted all of the success that he's had but it was somewhat obvious he was going to be successful, it was just a matter of how successful.

[BorneAgain]

Its funny that major things for Punk always seem to happen in June-July.

2005: The Summer of Punk storyline kicks off in ROH.
2006: Makes his hot debut on ECW.
2007: Starts his first championship program in WWE vs. John Morrison, eventually winning the ECW belt.
2008: Uses the MITB on Edge to win his first WWE world title.
2009: Via MITB, wins the WHC from Jeff Hardy and begins an epic heel run.
2010: Is unmasked by Big Show, marking the beginning of the end of the SES.
2011: Ends his (first?) WWE run with a major program against John Cena.

Other than 2010, its an interesting pattern.

[Clash, Never a Meter Maid]

I'd say he had an abnormal amount of success regardless of how you slice it.

To me the only question is "should he have been the face of the company or a brand at a certain point?" And speaking as a fan of his, I don't know. I'll admit the S.E.S could have been booked a bit stronger, but he's versatile enough to be entertaining wherever he is on the card.

I think if he were to suddenly retire, he's done more than enough already to qualify as a HOF lock given that he didn't say something stupid and piss off Vince.

[James McCloud IS John Godot]

He did fantastic.

Mr. Perfect, Ted DiBiase and others were never THE man either, but no-one would say their runs in the WWF, over all, were crap.