C.M. Punk's 'WWE Style'

['Sweet n' Sour' A. A. Estrada]

I was watching his last match with Hardcore Holly for the first time just now. Pretty good match for television, by the way, I recommend checking it out on the Hardcore Hangover if you don't get ECW where you live (such as in Canada like myself).

Anyways, while I was watching, I noticed that a lot of Punk's offense was ... a bit off. He did a flying elbow strike off the turnbuckle, a springboard cross body, and his usual KENTA Combo, bulldog from the corner, and a selection of knee strikes.

I'm not really sure if this is the right style for Punk. It seems forced, if that makes any sense.

Now, I like Punk, from his gimmick to his attitude. But I've seen a few of his ROH matches (I am by no means an expert regarding this), and he didn't do ANY of this stuff. Punk/Joe II was mostly him transitioning between variations on a headlock on Joe, and getting his ass kicked by Joe, peppered with a few high risk manuvers.

Now, he's GOOD at working on one body part for an entire match. He did the same with Val Venis on HEAT, and I'll tell you what, I've never seen a guy make a headlock or various leglocks interesting like Punk did. It wasn't high impact, it didn't make the crowd go 'ooh' or 'ahh', but it was damn smart, scientific wrestling. It was fun to watch, for a guy like myself who eats this stuff up with a big spoon when it's done right.

Now, I understand that short, Crash TV-style matches don't lend themselves to working on one limb for a prolonged period of time. You need ten minutes at the very least, in my opinion, for that to work well.

Still, Punk just doesn't look right throwing out those 'Muai Thai knees and kicks' and 'Brazilian Jujitsu', er, well I haven't seen an STO or anything out of him, does the Anaconda Vice count?

I don't normally criticize guys for their wrestling style, because I can't perform a reversal out of a damn hammerlock without screwing up.

But this really stuck out for me.

Does anyone else feel the same?

[CMPunkyBrewster]

punk is a great wrestler. wwe wants him to be a "superstar", not a wrestler. they want him to be more showy, less great. it will take a little bit to get used to, plus it never hurts to be diverse. so, we'll see.

[MGH]

Meh, I've been saying since the start that this isn't the CM Punk from the indies. Which is fine, he's still good now, but he has the potential to show much more than he has.

['Sweet n' Sour' A. A. Estrada]

mygreatesthour said:

Meh, I've been saying since the start that this isn't the CM Punk from the indies. Which is fine, he's still good now, but he has the potential to show much more than he has.

Well, just so long as they give him some time to adject to this, in my opinion, drastic change in style.

Not drop him ala Rob Conway for not blowing the roof off every night.

It's not he's terrible at this, or anything, but I feel like they aren't playing to his strengths.

Then again, he can always throw that stuff in if he ever has the chance to have a medium length or longer match.

My attitude at the moment is 'cautiously optimistic'.

[carter 15]

If continues to get over like he has been, i'm sure Punks not worried.