Fresh off a victory over WWE and its previously full-proof strong-arming, ROH's G1 Supercard—a collaboration with the similarly surging New Japan Pro Wrestling inside the hallowed and overpriced grounds of Madison Square Garden—is a full go.
CM Punk has bad blood with WWE, which could manifest itself yet again at 2019's G1 SupercardCredit: WWE.com
To make this budding cold war even juicier, ROH has reportedly put out feelers to former WWE Superstar-turned sworn enemy CM Punk, who lost his second consecutive UFC bout to begin his MMA career in a one-sided contest against resident goofball Mike Jackson.
With his UFC career seemingly all but over, no mainstream star makes more sense to fulfill the tall task of selling out Madison Square Garden, which boasts a daunting 20,000-seat capacity, on a WrestleMania weekend filled with competition, including the always-formidable WWE NXT TakeOver special.
Like ROH, CM Punk holds a legal victory over WWE, which according to Punk tried—unsuccessfully—to "bankroll" a defamation lawsuit on behalf of WWE doctor Chris Amann. ROH found itself in a similar position as a triumphant David to WWE's Goliath after WWE reportedly tried to step in and cancel its MSG debut. Fortunately for ROH, this version of David, backed by the media juggernaut that is Sinclair Broadcasting Group, was closer to Dave Batista than David Arquette.
Like ROH, CM Punk holds considerable cache with the increasingly influential hardcore crowd, whose pesky and at-times entitled desire to hijack WWE shows often translates to impassioned participation that actually enhances indie events.
Like ROH, come April 6, 2019, CM Punk is no stranger to landmark moments in Madison Square Garden. Before Brock Lesnar played keep-away with the WWE Universal Championship, CM Punk was the longest-reigning world champion of the modern era with a 434-day reign that began with a victory over Alberto Del Rio at Survivor Series 2011.
This was the last WWE pay-per-view to be held inside Madison Square Garden.
A rising candidate to make a surprise appearance at the historic All In broadcast in Chicago, it almost makes too much sense for Punk to appear at the inaugural G1 Supercard. Even the most innocuous of on-camera appearances would result in a healthy payday, and one that won't require Punk to train for years on end before getting physically manhandled inside an Octagon.
What will likely become ROH's biggest event ever in terms of attendance will double as both a showcase of a top independent promotion in its finest hour and a middle finger to WWE's once-unbreakable monopoly on Madison Square Garden.
For ROH, few middle fingers would be as fitting as the tattoed digit of former ROH champion CM Punk.
Posting Komentar