[WOOLCOCK]

I think the Rock name pretty much does that job for them TLK. He's had the best of Punk so far in terms of exchanges with the Rock Bottom and Smackdown segment between both tomorrow. They could have done more to sell the threat of Rock and how Punk can't escape, similar to Rock/Angle in the build up to NWO 2001, "Tick Tock, Tick Tock".

[The Lady Killer]

Yeah, I suppose the name does most of the build itself, but for some reason I don't feel Punk's title reign is any more threatened than it was whenever he faced Cena.

[Saint Dick]

Originally Posted by WOOLCOCK

I think it'll be more of a basic and simple match, mostly revolving around Rock being in a title match for the first time in 10 years and a slow burn story of Punk being outwrestled and outmatched in the beginning, leading to the control segment in the middle and then what should be a hot and intriguing finishing stretch with Rock either winning the title or the Shield stipulation setting up for a surprise interference to give Punk the win.

I'll be surprised if it turns out to be great but it should be entertaining and intriguing based on the two dynamics in the match. Hopefully Punk can ham it up as the cowardly and cunning heel trying to find a way to beat his greatest challenger to date and escape somehow with the belt.

All of that sounds about right to me. Punk needs to have a great performance. The atmosphere should enhance everything they do, hopefully.

[The Lady Killer]

Where is the event? Phoenix? Not sure if that is typically a hot crowd or not. Hoping they're on fire that night to really add to the match. Wonder what the split will be between Rock/Punk fans.

[WOOLCOCK]

Yeah if Punk can channel his work in Boston against Cena, albeit playing more of a Ric Flair at the beginning in terms of bumping big for Rock's opening offence then I have hopes the match can be good with a nice sense of structure, build and pacing. Crowd should be hot for all the nearfalls so hopefully they pace and time them well enough to make sense and come off as believable.

My only concern is Rock and his stamina. He's obviously far bigger than he ever was in the WWE physique wise and I just have doubts he'll be able to work it into the match with Punk. On paper you'd think Rock is charismatic enough to come off as another entity entirely and Punk's definitely good enough to play cunning, methodical and hopelessly outmatched heel remarkably well, but I just have a sense of doubt it can reach anything beyond good.

[ATF]

Meh, Phoenix worked well at WM 26, and the last time WWE had a PPV there (MITB last year), they were going apeshit on the SD MITB and Punk/Bryan matches. Expect a great atmosphere for Punk/Rock.

I'm on with you when it comes to WM 24, Cal - with exception of Batista/Umaga (which was still watchable for what it was) every match had a perfect execution to it, the atmosphere and the crowd were superb, the stage setup was pretty second to none... I just love this show. Edge/Taker = one of the best WM ME's ever.

[Saint Dick]

Originally Posted by WOOLCOCK

Yeah if Punk can channel his work in Boston against Cena, albeit playing more of a Ric Flair at the beginning in terms of bumping big for Rock's opening offence then I have hopes the match can be good with a nice sense of structure, build and pacing. Crowd should be hot for all the nearfalls so hopefully they pace and time them well enough to make sense and come off as believable.

My only concern is Rock and his stamina. He's obviously far bigger than he ever was in the WWE physique wise and I just have doubts he'll be able to work it into the match with Punk. On paper you'd think Rock is charismatic enough to come off as another entity entirely and Punk's definitely good enough to play cunning, methodical and hopelessly outmatched heel remarkably well, but I just have a sense of doubt it can reach anything beyond good.

We'll see. I'm almost certain they'll go 20+ minutes like Cena/Rock did, which I thought was unnecessary for that match (and a detriment to it) but it should work better here with Punk's character and ability. A slow middle section of the match giving Rock time to catch his breath shouldn't detract too much if the crowd is electric and Punk plays off them well.

[WOOLCOCK]

I see your point there. Punk's generally one of the better control segment workers the company has atm and I can totally see him being a great stooging prick at the beginning and then a gloriously smug and cocky bastard in the middle. I really do get the sense Punk is winning via interference, if only because of The Shield stipulation. The fact Vince mentioned them and them alone as the people who'd force a DQ just screams unseen interference, at least by standard wrestling logic anyhow.

[Callamus]

BORK LASER TO COST ROCK THE TITLE

[The Lady Killer]

Originally Posted by Big Z

BORK LASER TO COST ROCK THE TITLE

This would be awesome, although I'm still holding out to hear Brock's music as a surprise Rumble entrant.