Royal Rumble 101

January 27, 2013

John Cena promised he would win the Royal Rumble. So he should.

The Rock promised he would beat C.M. Punk for the WWE title. So he should.

That’s Wrestling 101. If a top babyface promises to do something, he should deliver. Otherwise, he looks like an impotent blowhard.

Punk has done a great job with the WWE belt. Fans are buying into the streak.

Too much, maybe.

The purpose of the streak, for Punk having the belt this long, wasn’t necessarily to burnish Punk, though it certainly did. No, the streak’s SOLE PURPOSE was to shine up the belt and deliver it to The Rock, pumping his tires and propelling him to WrestleMania for THE MONEY MATCH. Punk knows that. He understands the biz. IT’S NOT REAL.

Last year’s Rock-Cena ‘Mania match was billed as “Once In A Lifetime.” Turns out it’s twice in a little over a year. It needs a new twist. The title adds that twist. Rock’s promos about coming back after 10 years to get his shot ARE MONEY. Rock-Cena for the belt IS MONEY.

Punk losing the title paves that road. It’s what good heels do.

I understand that Punk’s your favorite wrestler. He’s my favorite wrestler, too. You want him to keep the championship. DON’T BE A MARK. It’s all about what’s best for business.

Punk doesn't need the belt to be great. The Rock-Cena match at 'Mania does.

YOUR WITNESS, COUNSELOR

Impact Wrestling Impact can’t even get the simplest things right.

Exhibit A: Joseph Park. The Joseph Park character started out compelling. A lawyer turned reluctant combatant who gets a taste for blood and morphs into his brother, Abyss.

And then he LOSES. He flips the switch…and then he LOSES. He never gets all the way there. DOC beat him. Devon beat him. That doesn’t help Aces & Eights. They’re beating a lawyer. And it just destroys where the Joseph Park character should go.

Imagine Jerry Lawler pulling down the strap…and losing. Chief Jay Strongbow goes into his war dance…and loses. Hulk Hogan hulks up…and loses.

I wonder what goes on at Impact creative meetings. They’re putting on a clown show.

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.

Nick attended New York University and graduated in 2001 with a degree in Drama.

Nick first entered the internet wrestling community back in 2004 when he became the co-host of The Voice of Wrestling Radio Show. From there, Nick made the transition from radio personality to editor when he began working with WrestleZone in 2008.

Nick is a member of two Off-Broadway theatre companies, Another Urban Riff, and the Drama Desk Award winning Godlight Theatre Company. Nick has appeared in over a dozen Off-Broadway plays since he moved to New York City, and has shot several short and feature length films. In 2010, he completed principle photography on a film titled "How to Score Your Life," which also features TNA Knockout ODB.

Inspiration in his life has come from many people including his family, Woody Allen, Steven Spielberg, Jack Nicholson, The Beatles, and of course, Lassie.