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A Return To WWE Means CM Punk Can Redefine His Legacy

History will remember CM Punk differently depending on the success of this run in WWE

Justin Barrasso

A Return To WWE Means CM Punk Can Redefine His Legacy
A Return To WWE Means CM Punk Can Redefine His Legacy /

CM Punk finds himself in exactly the right place in WWE

Dennis Rodman is remembered as a legend of the game.

The Hall of Fame basketball player–who also enjoyed a memorable stint in WCW while he was still active in the NBA–is fondly remembered as an eclectic, controversial, and dynamic player. Outside of the great Bill Russell, he is the most prolific rebounder in league history.

Courtesy NBA
Courtesy NBA

Rodman won five NBA championships during his career, which spanned 14 seasons. It began in earnest as a member of the Detroit Pistons, where Rodman appeared in the NBA Finals in three of his first four seasons. He was a contributing member on two of those championship squads, playing a pivotal role in defeating Larry Bird’s Boston Celtics, Magic Johnson’s Los Angeles Lakers, and Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls.

Yet that is not the part of Rodman’s career that history first recalls.

Rodman spent three iconic seasons with the Bulls, winning three straight titles. Paired with Jordan and Scottie Pippen, Rodman was the perfect third piece to the puzzle. He made life miserable for other power forwards–likely still haunting Frank Brickowski’s dreams–and carved out an unforgettable legacy on the hardwood.

The Bulls desperately needed a low post presence on both ends of the floor, and there was no better fit than Rodman. Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr, who was a valuable part of those Bulls teams, remembered the team embracing Rodman because they understood the positives far outweighed the negatives.

“The beauty of Dennis joining the Bulls [when he did] was we had a really mature team,” said Kerr. “There were a lot of veteran players, and [coach] Phil [Jackson] had a beautiful connection with Dennis, and so did his teammates. That gave Dennis the freedom and the space he needed. It wasn’t a thing where we were all complaining about Dennis not making it to a practice. We just sort of understand he was his own man, and he did so much for our team that it allowed him that freedom.”

Courtesy NBA
Courtesy NBA

None of that, however, would have been possible without first suffering a major failure in San Antonio.

When the core of the Pistons’ title teams started to age, Rodman was traded in October of 1993 from the Pistons to the San Antonio Spurs. On paper, this was exceptional. Rodman would play beside “The Admiral” David Robinson, bolstering the Spurs’ frontcourt. While there was the occasional highlight–Rodman delivered one of the most eye-grabbing stat lines of all-time in December of ‘93 when grabbed 28 rebounds while going scoreless–the pairing turned out to be disastrous.

Rodman was difficult to work with in San Antonio, considered poisonous to his teammates, and he is best remembered for antics–like removing his sneakers during a game and reading a magazine on the bench–rather than his play.

Does any of this sound familiar?

Courtesy WWE
Courtesy WWE

CM Punk had a uniquely distinct run in AEW. There were highlights, which included compelling matches against Darby Allin, Samoa Joe, and Satoshi Kojima, as well as a renewed passion during the debut of Collision. But for every positive Punk moment, there were plenty more negative ones, whether it was leaks from the locker room or Punk himself taking the mic to launch into a tirade against Hangman Page.

A Deeper Look at CM Punk’s Dismissal from AEW

Like Rodman in San Antonio, Punk simply was not going to work in AEW. There were too many incidents, altercations, and problems within the locker room, which were not entirely Punk’s fault, of course. Yet, again and again, he was the common denominator.

Punk’s run in AEW led to the unthinkable: a return to WWE. That is why, opposite Collision this past Saturday, Punk made a fantastic appearance that opened NXT’s Deadline special. Sharing the ring with Shawn Michaels, viewers were treated to the very best of Punk: calm, cool, and full of compelling comments as he stood beside Michaels while wearing a Bret Hart hoodie.

Courtesy WWE
Courtesy WWE

This took place only a night after Punk’s promo on SmackDown, which was also exceptional. In only a few minutes, he made light of his Raw promo, put over fellow babyfaces in Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, LA Knight, and Jey Uso, as well as detailed his past with Paul Heyman, who is now representing Roman Reigns.

Punk also subtly advanced his feud with Seth Rollins and mentioned Kevin Owens, putting him in the mix for one of the most entertaining storylines in WWE.

Like Rodman in Chicago, Punk now holds the rare opportunity to redefine his legacy. AEW’s loss is WWE’s gain.

In the right place, Punk is suddenly the most must-see performer in wrestling. Every appearance and promo–and, eventually, match–will be viewed with great interest, as he now holds an opportunity to completely redefine his legacy.

Bryan Danielson added to Ring of Honor PPV

If you thought this Friday’s Ring of Honor pay-per-view was lacking the requisite firepower to order the show, you weren’t alone.

Bryan Danielson has been added to the Final Battle card, and his match is reason alone to watch.

FTR and Mark Briscoe will team against the Blackpool Combat Club’s Danielson, Jon Moxley, and Claudio Castagnoli. This will be especially emotional, as it is the Jay Briscoe Memorial Fight Without Honor bout. Only a year ago, the Briscoes defeated FTR in a double dog collar match at Final Battle. Tragically, Jay Briscoe lost his life the following month in a car crash.

Carrying The Spirit Of The Briscoe Brothers, Mark Briscoe Returns To AEW

This is the type of match that could open the show, go on in the middle, or close it. Regardless of where it is placed, it is must-see viewing.

Carmelo Hayes added to United States championship contender tournament

Over the weekend, Carmelo Hayes was announced as the surprise entry in the United States championship contender tournament.

If all goes well, he should also be the one to win it.

The finals take place on the January 5 edition of SmackDown. If Hayes, who is exceptionally talented, defeats Grayson Waller in the first round, then likely Austin Theory in the semi-finals (Theory faces Kevin Owens, who is bound to lose by some sort of interference), then he can have a sensational match in the finals against either Bobby Lashley or Santos Escobar.

All of that would lead to a match in the finals against United States champion Logan Paul. That is the exact type of exposure Hayes needs as he begins his ascent in WWE. Even if Hayes does not defeat Paul for the belt, it would be an extraordinary way to introduce him to the WWE fan base.

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Justin Barrasso
JUSTIN BARRASSO

Justin Barrasso has been writing for Sports Illustrated since 2014. While his primary focus is pro wrestling and MMA, he has also covered MLB, NBA, and the NFL. He can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com and followed on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.

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