With the first-ever two-night SummerSlam event set to take place soon, <a href="https://cynicaltimes.org/category/wrestling-news/wwe/”>WWE’s landscape is poised for notable shifts as new stars rise and others fade. However, the excitement surrounding the card and several key performers, including CM Punk, is diminishing, raising concerns about the overall momentum heading into the summer’s biggest wrestling showcase.
Despite the anticipation that builds around major WWE pay-per-views, this year’s SummerSlam is facing a notable decline in buzz, largely due to unresolved storylines, weak character development, and underwhelming promotional efforts. These factors directly affect the perception of CM Punk WWE cooling off crisis, particularly as his journey toward a world title appears increasingly uncertain.
Top Performers Demonstrating Promise and Resilience
Among WWE’s current roster, Cody Rhodes stands out as a rare bright spot. Known as “The American Nightmare,” Rhodes has captivated millions with his journey, climaxing when he secured the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania XL. Over the past year as champion, his in-ring storytelling and passion for wrestling solidified him as a compelling babyface figure, even if his athleticism does not match some contemporaries.
Yet not all moments have been smooth for Rhodes. His recent WrestleMania 41 main event against John Cena suffered under poor booking and diminished in-ring chemistry, compounded by a crowd’s unexpected support for Cena. Losing the title in that match was widely regarded as a setback, indicating a misstep in creative direction.
Following Cena’s flawed heel championship reign involving overbooked matches against Randy Orton and CM Punk, Rhodes now has the opportunity for a rematch that many expect him to win. His value as a top babyface makes a heel turn unlikely, signaling that WWE aims to restore his champion status soon.
In addition to Rhodes, rising talent Jasper Troy has made waves in WWE’s NXT brand. Debuting only a year ago, Troy swiftly claimed the inaugural LFG season victory and has since challenged opponents like NXT Champion Oba Femi, Yoshiki Inamura, and Je’Von Evans. Despite losses, his imposing 6-foot-5 stature and powerful moves recall legends like Kane, and his natural instincts and ring presence promise a bright future in WWE’s big leagues.
Recently, Troy secured a notable victory on NXT by defeating Ricky Saints via countout, signaling that creative is positioning him for bigger opportunities. Though his experience is limited, Troy’s ability to engage audiences and adapt suggests he could soon become a prominent powerhouse on WWE’s main roster.
Meanwhile, Joaquin Wilde has long inhabited a background role, wrestling primarily in mid-card tag matches with Legado del Fantasma and later LWO on SmackDown. Despite multiple years and chances, Wilde has yet to capture a title or lead a major storyline.
However, Wilde’s recent performance in a Raw tag team match, alongside Cruz Del Toro, has elevated his profile. Their victory over New Day and American Made in a number one contender’s contest showcased Wilde’s explosive athleticism, including an impressive corkscrew plancha and a rare double pin attempt. His ability to single-handedly disrupt New Day’s finishing move and secure the win was a standout moment often unseen in his career.
Now positioned for a championship match, possibly at SummerSlam, Wilde has a crucial opportunity to redefine his WWE trajectory. A strong performance on a major stage could pave the way for more significant attention and creative focus.
SummerSlam’s Declining Impact as a Flagship Event
As WWE’s second-largest annual pay-per-view looms, many observers are puzzled by the lack of effective build-up and excitement surrounding SummerSlam’s card. Major storylines appear incomplete or insufficiently developed, creating a sense of urgency that has been missing in promotional efforts. This year marks the first time SummerSlam is split over two nights, but this novelty has not translated into heightened fan enthusiasm.
Dream matches like CM Punk versus Gunther, while engaging on paper, have failed to generate the energy usually expected. Women’s World Championship contests featuring top talent suffer from repeated Triple Threat match fatigue, as the format often yields inconclusive results or cheap heel victories, diluting the match’s perceived significance.
This year’s card, compared to past SummerSlams, feels sluggish and bereft of compelling momentum. The pace of storytelling is slow and lacks urgency, leading to a growing perception that WWE is relying more on established star power than fresh narratives to carry its marquee event. Without any major announcements or surprise returns in the days before the show, the excitement risks remaining subdued.
Fans be perceive the event less as WWE’s “Biggest Party of the Summer” and more like an informal gathering inconsistently prepared, facing criticism for missing the spark expected at this level.
CM Punk’s Declining Momentum and Uncertainty Ahead of SummerSlam
Once one of the most anticipated returns in recent WWE memory, CM Punk’s 2024 run has gradually lost its initial luster. His comeback was marked by injury interruptions and inconsistent storytelling, yet his feud with Drew McIntyre succeeded in establishing Punk as a top-tier babyface contender. Although he fell short at WrestleMania, fan anticipation peaked as Punk edged closer to a world championship opportunity.
However, the past few weeks have been fraught with setbacks. Punk’s character has suffered through damaging promos, including John Cena’s “Yin Yang” attack and an unsuccessful caricature of Cena that undermined his credibility. A poor showing at Night of Champions, where Cena decisively defeated him, further eroded Punk’s momentum and standing.
Despite a perfect opportunity to regain prestige with a World Title match against Gunther at a major pay-per-view, Punk’s recent booking has been lackluster. He only qualified through a fortuitous gauntlet draw, defeating a tired Bron Breakker last, which paints Punk as less deserving. His verbal confrontations with Gunther revealed a subdued and uninspired side, lacking the confidence and edge typically associated with his persona.
At times, Punk openly questioned his chances of winning, with little pushback when Gunther challenged his claim to be the “Best in the World.” This uncertainty has diminished fan excitement and left Punk’s return trajectory at risk of stalling just as it should be peaking.
Still, Punk maintains substantial value in WWE’s ecosystem. Yet the disconnect between his potential and current presentation serves as an urgent signal that creative adjustments are necessary to revive his character and fan investment.
Bron Breakker’s Struggles to Convince as WWE’s Next Top Star
Bron Breakker has steadily been positioned as WWE’s emerging powerhouse throughout the last year. On Raw, Paul Heyman notably compared Breakker’s rise to the introduction of Brock Lesnar two decades ago, underscoring WWE’s high hopes. Creative has largely shielded Breakker from significant losses, with rare defeats quickly avenged, preserving his aura of dominance.
Recently, Breakker made a strong statement by defeating top babyfaces Penta, L.A. Knight, and Jey Uso consecutively in a gauntlet match, placing him firmly in the main-event conversation. His confrontation with returning Roman Reigns hinted at a major program laying the groundwork for the future.
However, Breakker’s promo work has revealed a weakness in his portrayal as “The Next Big Thing.” While his script portrayed him declaring Reigns a has-been and himself the new “Big Dog,” Breakker’s delivery lacked the required intensity and charisma, causing him to pale alongside Reigns’ commanding presence. His in-ring performance is solid, but to fulfill his touted destiny, Breakker will need to develop more impactful mic skills or rely on Heyman to elevate his role.
If this gap remains unaddressed, Breakker risks becoming a forgotten talent, closer to Curtis Axel’s trajectory than Brock Lesnar’s legendary rise.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did CM Punk apologize?
A. CM Punk said sorry to fans in Saudi Arabia for a tweet that upset people before WWE Night of Champions. When Punk showed up on the kickoff show, fans booed him. A fan yelled something, and Punk stopped to reply, taking the chance to talk about his earlier tweet about The Miz.
Q. Is CM Punk a millionaire?
A. Besides his wrestling career, he has accumulated a net worth of $12 million and owns several luxury homes. He is also involved in charitable work and enjoys a private life with his wife, AJ Lee. In 2023, CM Punk experienced a significant challenge in his career. An altercation in the AEW locker room resulted in his suspension and eventually the termination of his contract.
Q. Was CM Punk actually hurt?
A. Even though it looked like Punk was injured, his fall was planned. On the other hand, McIntyre did get seriously hurt and needed 16 stitches.
Q. Why doesn’t CM Punk talk to his brother?
A. CM Punk’s brother, Mike Broox, admitted to taking money from Lunatic Wrestling Federation. This incident caused their relationship to fall apart over 20 years ago.
