I had some initial surprise that Punk appeared on RAW. After thinking about it for a few more minutes I warmed up to it. I understood and accepted the rationale. I said on my radio show Tuesday, Punk stated on the ESPN podcast, SummerSlam is approaching and you gotta have the guy who has created all this buzz on the card.
Wrestlezone's own Mark Madden is different. Madden is a columnist on an internet wrestling site but usually holds the opinion and mindset that is of complete disagreement to what the online opinion is. He recently wrote an entire column here on Wrestlezone saying “what was the point” and stating his thoughts of how this did and is going to play out. Mostly negative about how Punk showing up so soon was wasted and Cena will win at SummerSlam and that will be that. Madden and I have always gotten along. He is very entertaining but I disagree in so many was with his opinion on this.
This interest by hardcore fans, casual fans, mainstream media, past and present wrestlers has brought back hope. Hope for 11:10pm to come on a Monday night and the thought of “I am excited for the PPV” or “I can't wait for next weeks RAW.”
The great thing is, just as I am going to do, Madden is going to tune in next Monday and watch and is more interested then he has in a long time. Even if he disagrees with how its been booked so far, he cares about what happens next. There is hope again.
Jim Ross back at the commentary booth. A simple change but for some, especially older more serious fans it adds a little something to the list of looking forward too for RAW. It adds the excitement of getting to hear more good commentary by Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler. There is hope.
Zack Ryder. They could have put Alex Riley in that spot to squash Michael Cole. Riley has history with Cole but they gave it to Ryder. Is Ryder going to be on the SummerSlam card? I don't know. But we have hope.
Ryder has become a center piece in so many of these new reality based mediums. Twitter, YouTube and all of the others. He is a guy who has created his own opportunity. I am not saying that should fast pass him to the front for a world title shot but it should let you know that if so many people find him that entertaining in a 5 minute web shot or 140 characters, perhaps he could draw some money with the right placement and guys to work with.
Again, online as a certain focus group. If something that Ryder does or says is getting over with 100,000 people on YouTube then maybe its something that just connects with society and that the rest of the fans will like.
There are many more Zack Ryder type talents that the internet has not yet got to get behind. There are tons of statements CM Punk could make next week on RAW. Endless ways to incorporate the internet in this new “Reality Era.” Don't know the definite answers to any of this but I do have hope.
Listen to him on TribLIVE Radio every Tuesday 3-5pm EST for Wrestling Reality which is available for download on iTunes. This weeks episode featured WWE legend Bret Hart.
Plus LaBar is the co-host of the Chair Shot Reality video series every weekend only on Wrestlezone
