After news this morning of ESPN stealing away WWE talent, here’s more WWE rumors and news that circling around the web. Mick Foley commented on his Facebook page about CM Punk leaving the WWE and what he feels is the true reason Punk walked out on a possibly lucrative deal from the federation. A WWE superstar once in line for a massive push suffers his 100th television loss, rumors are swirling in regard to NXT talent making the jump, more Sting rumor news and Stone Cold talks about a possible match with Lesnar.
Mick Foley Talks CM Punk
Mick Foley took to his Facebook page to discuss his thoughts on Punk leaving the WWE. Actually, Foley was commenting on this picture, and wanted to set some things straight about the straight edge superstar.
“Yes, the response to that funny photo of CM Punk on a milk carton was incredible. While I respect everybody’s opinion – as long as it is given in a respectful way, I have to disagree with those out there who find great fault in Punk’s simply walk away. I am kind of like a ghost that drifts in and out of WWE, but in my past three years of drifting, I have never been to a WWE event where Punk was not in considerable pain. Ice packs, heating pads, and visits to the trainer were as much a part of his daily routine as eating. sleeping, and wrestling. Performing at that level, in that degree of pain was only possible when accompanied by the passion that turned an unlikely Indy kid into one of the greatest WWE superstars of his generation. Once that passions gone, then so are all of the things that made him great. I know what it feels like to go through the motions, and to do what needs to be done solely for the paycheck. It’s not pretty – and though I have not talked to Punk since the night before he left, I have to believe he has too much respect for what he does to let people see him going through the motions. If or when that day comes when CM punk returns to WWE, I hope it’s with that same passion that made so many of you care about him to begin with.”
My take — it’s injury, pride and a little bit of everything.
Star Suffers 100th TV loss
Remember when Jack Swagger was lined up to take down Alberto Del Rio, take the World Heavyweight Championship, and have a decent run as a Tea Party-esqe antagonist. Then Swagger got popped for a DUI and weed and POOF! gone like a cloud of blunt smoke. That feels like decades ago. It was a little over a year ago.
Swagger is now middling in the mid-card and celebrating an awful milestone. When Swagger lost to The Big Show on the 4/15 episode of Main Event it was his 100th televised singles loss. Swagger is just the second WWE wrestler ever to lose 100 matches. Currently leading the pack? Dolph Ziggler. Others wrestlers closing in on the century mark for losses are: Kofi Kingston (99), former champ The Miz (94) and WOO! WOO! You know it! Zack Ryder (90).
Who’s not NXT?
Adrian Neville is making strides in NXT but he’s going to stay in the developmental system for at least a half a year. WWE brass is high on Sami Zayn and could see a call up to the big roster very soon.
There is still no word on when Shawne Merriman will see action. I’m betting the minute he’s ready, he’s on NXT, and then on WWE TV not long after. Vince loves a name. It’s one of the reasons Merriman is collecting paychecks in the first place. But will sacks and tackles translate to singles titles?
Sting in Warrior Tribute
Did Sting sign? Will Sting sign? Here’s proof he’s probably already under WWE contract — Steve “Sting” Borden appeared on WWE Network in a special dedicated to his former partner The Ultimate Warrior. I don’t care if Vince McMahon himself dropped, no free agent would ever appear on WWE programming unless their name (fake and real) was signed on a dotted line. Sting’s in Stamford. It could only be a Legends deal but he’s under contract.
Stone Cold wants Lesnar?
Alright, calm down, calm down. Stop mentally booking Wrestlemania 31 with Stone Cold taking on the streak killer.
Austin interviewed Paul Heyman during WrestleMania XXX weekend for The Steve Austin Show and the former WWE champion admitted that a match against Brock Lesnar, the major horse in Heyman’s stable, and admitted that wrestling the former MMA star was “tempting” to Austin.
There is no doubt the former “stunner” can go, but would his body allow it? He hasn’t wrestled competitively in eleven years. He’s need to train aggressively — both cardiovascular and on his different surgically repaired parts — but never say never to The Rattlesnake’s return.