PUNK’D!
The “contract signing” for the WWE title match at TLC was exemplary of why wrestling sucks.
Oh, everyone played his part well enough – except Johnny Ace, who hasn’t pleased anyone since Mrs. Baba. C.M. Punk’s promo skills, his earnest delivery – does it get any better? Miz and Alberto del Rio did nice, brief drop-ins. Less is more when they’re out there with Punk.
That said, Punk’s references to trending on Twitter, and him pointing out the clichéd nature of wrestling contract signings, how they always end in “pier six brawls” – it all adds up to a proclamation wrestling fans too often have rubbed in their faces: THIS IS FAKE. “Are we going to start fighting now?” FAKE, FAKE, FAKE, FAKE.
DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT. Act like signing a contract to be in this match could lead to your career’s high point. Talk about how important it would be to win. DON’T FIGHT. Save that for the ACTUAL FIGHT. They might buy it if they HAVEN’T ALREADY SEEN IT.
The worst thing wrestling EVER did was break kayfabe on-camera. Swear to Jeebus.
I’m often chastised by obviously younger fans in the comments section of my columns, and I admit, perhaps this simply IS what wrestling has become. Fine. Enjoy it. I just know the product was markedly different 10-15 years ago, and a LOT MORE PEOPLE WERE WATCHING.
Mark Madden hosts a radio show 3-6 p.m. weekdays on WXDX-FM, Pittsburgh, PA (105.9). Check out his web page at WXDX.com. Contact Mark by emailing wzmarkmadden@hotmail.com. FOLLOW MARK ON TWITTER: @MARKMADDENX
Nick was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until the age of 18, when he decided to pack his flack jacket and move to New York City.
