[Riddle101]

Originally Posted by DDot

there are actual people out there who thought punk's title reign was bad? and someone even said he "devalued" the title. thats unbelievable to me. carry on.

I thought it was underwhelming for the majority, namely because Punk was wrestling guys who weren't really credible main event stars, so beating them didn't really prove much because they weren't a challenge to Punk. If he had been going over guys who had proper star power of the likes of John Cena then yeah it was fine. But his title reign was quite poor looking back on it. The only times Punk's reign was quite good was when he was feuding with Cena and Rock.

However I don't think it was entirely bad, nor do I think his reign devalued the title. I've just seen better championship reigns.

[The People's H2O]

The crowd was split 50/50 for most of the match. After the match was restarted however, the audience was 100% pro Rock.

tbh, I don't think Punk would've gotten the same response from the crowd if he was a babyface. He's just way too good as a heel.

I hope they do better in thier next match, and I also hope for Punk-Rock-Cena at WM.

[Stad]

Punk is def not winning at EC so my only hope now is it ends in a draw and we get a triple threat match at WM.

[Rock316AE]

The crowd was split 50/50 for most of the match. After the match was restarted however, the audience was 100% pro Rock.

It was never 50/50 or close to it. Punk had a few chants during it from a loud minority, people were chanting it to support him as his fans but at the end of the night they were all there to see Rock wins the WWE Title again which is why these same people who chanted for Punk at times popped when Vince restarted the match. It was 80/20, 75/25 at best. With 95/5 towards the end of the match. From the live video, it was an awesome atmosphere, especially for Rock's victory pop. WWE really need to mic their arenas better.

Anyway, very good segment on RAW, Rock in the EC would have been great but if you think about the participants, it's really problematic to book. Ryback can't lose and to book a Rock/Cena exchange anywhere before WM in a match would be stupid. Then all you have left is mid card guys so a rematch with Punk is fine. I wanted fresh opponent but they're all busy in the SD side unfortunately. Surreal moment to see Rock with the belt again on RAW. Great promo to show the significance of the moment and setting up the rematch with Punk. It's about time he also called him a "punk ass bitch". I guess that they're doing now the delusional heel Punk character where he refuse to believe that he lost the belt until Rock beats him clean again at EC for him to realize that it's officially over. Another part of it is that Rock is probably gonna wait until after EC to bring his new WWE Title belt as part of the Cena feud to WM29.

As for a 3 way, should never happen. There's no money in a 3 way, people want to see one on one matches in the main event. If it was Brock? It's a different story(And even then, Cena would hurt it)but other than that it should be Rock/Cena alone. Any other factor is going to lower the hype and the appeal of the match to the paying audience.

[purple_gloves]

Originally Posted by Rock316AE

It was never 50/50 or close to it. Punk had a few chants during it from a loud minority, people were chanting it to support him as his fans but at the end of the night they were all there to see Rock wins the WWE Title again which is why these same people who chanted for Punk at times popped when Vince restarted the match. It was 80/20, 75/25 at best. With 95/5 towards the end of the match. From the live video, it was an awesome atmosphere, especially for Rock's victory pop. WWE really need to mic their arenas better.

Anyway, very good segment on RAW, Rock in the EC would have been great but if you think about the participants, it's really problematic to book. Ryback can't lose and to book a Rock/Cena exchange anywhere before WM in a match would be stupid. Then all you have left is mid card guys so a rematch with Punk is fine. I wanted fresh opponent but they're all busy in the SD side unfortunately. Surreal moment to see Rock with the belt again on RAW. Great promo to show the significance of the moment and setting up the rematch with Punk. It's about time he also called him a "punk ass bitch". I guess that they're doing now the delusional heel Punk character where he refuse to believe that he lost the belt until Rock beats him clean again at EC for him to realize that it's officially over. Another part of it is that Rock is probably gonna wait until after EC to bring his new WWE Title belt as part of the Cena feud to WM29.

As for a 3 way, should never happen. There's no money in a 3 way, people want to see one on one matches in the main event. If it was Brock? It's a different story(And even then, Cena would hurt it)but other than that it should be Rock/Cena alone. Any other factor is going to lower the hype and the appeal of the match to the paying audience.

Billing last year as once in a lifetime, then redoing it this year, is enough to lower the hype and appeal.

Last year did a huge buyrate because the Rock was wrestling. He brought people back who probably hadn't watched for a long time. Do you think those same people are going to be bothered about paying to see a predictable Cena win?

The draw for WM 27 was Rock just being there. That did well. The draw for WM 28 was Rock wrestling. That did well. The draw for this year should have been Rock finally winning the title, but they stupidly gave that away at the Rumble. I'm convinced that Rock/Cena 2 won't even match last years buyrate, never mind surpass. I'm shocked that anyone thinks it will.

[wwffans123]

I hope The Rock could Put on one more great match again.Punk/Rock im upset.

[Dexter Morgan]

Guess I am in the minority on here but thought Rock vs. Punk was great and I loved the ending.

[peowulf]

Originally Posted by BrosOfDestruction

Well, there's 7 weeks between EC and WM so there's enough time to build the feud + logic/consistency has never been their strong suit. If they've decided on Punk/Taker, then its going to happen regardless of whether it feels rushed or not.

One direction I think they could've gone with is for Punk to come out, talk about how it was an injustice the way his reign ended and brag about his 434 (or whatever it was) day streak being the most impressive streak in history. He's already put his streak over some of the longer ones in his earlier promos by mentioning how they didn't wrestle as much as he did, how he's made the title more prestigious etc and that way, you at least have some logic and basic layout for a feud with Taker.

But now, they are continuing the feud with Rock all the way till EC and we'll have to see how it goes. Still think Punk/Taker is likely but there's a very small chance of Rock/Cena/Punk can go down with the type of promo Cena cut putting both men over.

Even then, If Punk is fresh off the heels of two defeats from the Rock, how can he possibly be considered a threat for the streak. I'd prefer he'd continue to feud with Rock and Cena, by having some BS DQ victory over the Rock and claiming a rematch at Mania. Simple stuff. I really wanna see that triple threat over Rock/Cena 2. I'm the biggest Undertaker fan, but he can skip this Wrestlemania in my opinion.
Beating Punk will do nothing for both men.

[Example]

Glad this match is happening, make the most out of what has been a great feud so far. I didn't think they would have The Rock defend the title in the Elimination Chamber, hopefully they go with The Sheild vs Cena/Sheamus/Ryback in a Chamber match - have two start then randomly have partners come in, meaning there will be times that it will be a handicap match.

[NJ88]

I'm glad they're having a one on one re-match rather than the obligatory Elimination Chamber defence. After Cena's promo on RAW I'm starting to think they may go for a triple threat match at Wrestlemania with Rock/Cena/Punk just to stack the odds even more against Cena since apparently beating either one of them to Cena is near impossible (what?) so I don't expect the match to end 100% clean, or I could even see Punk regaining the title and holding it into Mania with Cena and Rock both coming after it.