Who is the “Best In The World?”
This Sunday at WrestleMania 28 we have a match-up of epic proportions between two of the top wrestling stars in the world today. Chris Jericho, a ring veteran who is now in his 40’s made his return to Raw on January 2nd without saying a word for the first couple weeks. CM Punk on the other hand has been running wild in the WWE since the summer of ultimatums where we almost saw him leave without singing another contract. Punk, the current WWE champion has been stating since the summer that he is the best in the world, and even put it on a shirt which has sold just as much as any Cena merchandise. This obviously didn’t sit well with Chris Jericho who has been stating that for years.
Chris Jericho decided to involve himself in a match between Punk and Daniel Bryan, both brands respective champions. Jericho claimed all the talent in the WWE were just trying to be clones of him and were cheap imitation rip-offs of everything Jericho’s done. Obviously CM Punk had the target on his back not only because he was WWE champion, but also because he was declaring himself the “best in the world”. We saw these two have a chance to lock arms first at Elimination Chamber, but Jericho was quickly escorted to the back after a kick to the head from Punk knocking him out of the Chamber. That didn’t sit well with Jericho who ended up becoming #1 contender for the WWE Title in a battle royal. The match was now officially set….who would be the “best in the world”?
CM Punk has been champion on and off since last summer and it seems he’s now the guy they want to have the title. They attempted to give it to Alberto Del Rio which didn’t last too long and quickly put it back on Punks waste. Punk has had huge momentum building with being involved with HHH and Laurinaitis feuds coming out on top. CM Punks fan base at live shows seems to be even larger than John Cena. All the time invested into Punk has now paid off, and in his mind he truly is getting what he deserves and I couldn’t agree with him more.
The feud started off being extremely intense and I was really excited to see this match being built. The two did a great job at showing anger and hatred towards each other and giving the fans a reason to invest in the feud. For some reason the great start started to wind down, and turned into a TitanTron feud more than anything. Obviously it seems for this year’s Mania all Vince cares about is pushing the movie star vs. the companies golden boy. The last 3 Raws or so we’ve seen Jericho appearing on the TitanTron and bringing up old dirt about CM Punks family issues. Jericho decided to leak the news that Punk grew up with an alcoholic dad. This infuriated Punk but he told the fans that his dad is in a better place now and that was in the past. Punk didn’t like the fact that Jericho was getting personal (and either did I, as Punk basically did this exact feud in ROH I believe). The following week Chris Jericho once again appeared on the TitanTron instead of showing up face to face. This time Jericho brought up Punk’s sisters issues with substance abuse. Once again this struck a nerve with Punk, but a big nerve. Punk absolutely freaked out on Jericho telling him his family business was personal and didn’t belong in the ring. Fast forward to this last week on Raw, the last one before WrestleMania. That’s right…the last one before the biggest event of the year. What happens? Instead of a face-to-face confrontation, once again we have Jericho on the TitanTron giving dirt on Punk’s mother. This was it really.
It absolutely blows my mind as to why these two didn’t have more face-to-face interactions. I’m not sure if WWE squashed the whole “best in the world” battle that is started out to be because they want people to think The Rock/Cena match is to determine the best in the world. Either way it turned into Jericho simply insulting Punk on his family’s substance abuse issues, and IMO killed any build this match had. Don’t get me wrong as this match is the one I look forward to the most at Mania and I can’t wait to see the technical clinic these two put on. I could easily see it going 45 minutes if given the opportunity to shine. I’m not sure of WWE will let this happen, as the only match they care about can’t be out-shined (Rock/Cena).
With the strange twist in the build of this match I’m still very positive about the confrontation. I think WWE was just trying show the ‘universe’ that there was a lot of hatred between the two and the best way was personal attacks instead of being creative and continuing to build the ‘best in the world’ feud. These two have proven they can just about work with anybody and I think their match up at Mania will only be the beginning for these two. I can honestly see Jericho winning in order for Punk to win it back at a summer PPV to bring in some buys. I can also see CM Punk winning in order to continue his title reign and actually make it a decent length of time. CM Punk has been one of the main people carrying the WWE for the last year, so perhaps a win at Mania is in the books as repayment. Jericho could also have something in his contract stating he gets a Mania win as well, so it really could go either way. That’s another reason I’m extremely excited about this match, as it truly can go either way. With only a few days left until WrestleMania 28, the anticipation carries on.
James Bones
@violentshadows
violentshadows@hotmail.com
Ringsidehustle.com 
I thought the whole Mother thing just took it to far. The Father, yes, a topic that is very much real and has been brought up before. The daughter, okay, Punk admitted his Fathers failings so Jericho needed some more ammo. The Mother, clutching straws, they dug to deep just so Y2J could call Punk a Bastard.
Had they not brought the Punk family into this I would still be just as excited, as most people who’ll be ordering Mania its the WRESTLING of this match I’m looking forward to.
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Perhaps it was taken too personel in general, like this match didn’t need in to get this way….a follow up match with the personel shit added might have worked out more interesting.
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Exactly, the Father bit added a nice edge to it as it was obvious some fans were having difficulty embracing the Best in the World Story line. But that is were they show have stopped.
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Nice preview dude!
I’m betting (not literally) on Punk to win. Jericho was only contracted to the end of April but I think they’ve extended the contract therefore Jericho could get the win. Jericho’s one of my favourite ever wrestlers, but this Sunday I’m rooting for Punk! That being said, I won’t be disappointed in the slightest if Jericho comes away with the win. It’ll definitely be a great match given the time needed.
Also, I didn’t like the personal bits either. There’s a good way to wind someone up and there’s a cheap way. I feel WWE could have went a better route than this. But, for what it is, it isn’t totally bad. Do you feel that the WWE championship is just a side salad in this? Cos really what the match is about is being “Best in the World”.
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I almost made an account at bodog last night then remembered I can’t even afford groceries. I like gambling too much, prob for the best. Thanks man!
Yeah, a little cheap to me, just like to you said. That’s probably the best way to put it. It’s like they just gave them the easiest storylines to run with while Rock/Cena get the build. Obviously that’s what will bring in the cash in their minds.
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I’d rather have Jericho do a personal attack than Michael Cole.
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As far as I know, James won’t be online until tomorrow….I think.
Anyway, great preview, James. Two excellent WM previews thus far. Two more to come. Also a Wish This Happens by Hasnan (If the dude is still alive 😛 )
You make great points. The reason for them not having face-to-face ”face-offs” is probably two things. One – They don’t want to risk an injury or anything. Two – The longer they wait, the more anxcious fans are. It makes it all that more exciting when they’ll finally face-off against each other on Sunday. I made a contriversal statement in my Rock vs. Cena preview regarding the best match of the night, but I have no doubt Punk/Jericho will have an amazing bout!
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Thanks man! Hasnans write up has me interested with that kind of title.
I kind of wish that they would have done this about 3 weeks ago. Maybe 2. If Punk would have flipped out and attacked Christian a couple weeks ago, and continued his crazy streak…I think I’d be a lot more excited.
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Perhaps they should of had BOTH of them flip out on people, Punk with Christian and Jericho with Hawkins or Zack Ryder even.
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To me that would have been a way better plan. I know they want Jericho to look like the sneaky weasel trying to avoid Punk and just insult him, but I would have liked to see some aggression from Jericho. He’s done eff-all since returning really.
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He could of played that sneaky weasel and still avoid Punk, but have him face someone ”weaker” in that case. Punk could try and save the jobber being beaten by Jericho but Jericho would worm away.
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I’m thinking this match will get 20 to 25 minutes. Should be good.
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Whoever made the graphic, thank you! It looks wicked up there and almost makes my article as cool as the D-Bry/Sheamus write up. (The pics throughout made it look so cool)
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It was Dez from Unchained-WWE.com. Clare could probably make one as good or even better, though. I don’t like asking Clare too many times as I’m not paying her and they take a long time to make so don’t want to be greedy. Someday, hopefully within a few weeks…..I’ll be able to make pics that good.
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Ok wicked! I can make decent stuff but I can’t get the cropping/background shit right. It never looks as good as anyone elses. 😦
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LoL thank you man. But your write up is just as good if not better, so don’t worry about coolness or whatever.
Thanks Ray, I too love those graphics and have always wondered who or what website they belonged to. If only my graphics ccan be as good as that someday. Dez is a legend.
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Good work on the preview, James.
In some ways I don’t mind who wins this as I reckon there’ll be another match at the next PPV which happens to be in Chicago… which could mean that Jericho steal it at Mania only for Punk to regain in his hometown.
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Thanks Simon! Ok so this makes a lot more sense. Could you imagine if Punk retains at Mania, or even if he loses at Mania, goes into Chicago the favorite obviously, but Jericho comes out with the win/belt? I think having Jericho win the belt from Punk in his hometown would be wayyy better for story. Jericho would get so much heat on TV at PPV that it would hopefully follow him for a few months after.
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Thats a good theory, but
If the rumours are true and Jericho isnt expected to stay long after Mania, it would be better to give that heat to one of the younger stars?
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As far as I know, Jericho is advertised for house shows after WM.
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I read somewhere that Jericho just signed a 6 month extension to his contract.
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Yeah, that’s great news. Really hope he goes to SD and feuds with Barrett or Sheamus!
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Even if he’s signed a contract extension Violentshadows is right, Punk losing in his very dedicated home town would create serious crowd reaction which would follow through. THat should be given to someone like Dolp Ziggler, dont waste good heat on a certified star.
If Y2J is going to stay on, then its only a matter of time until the Jericho effect takes place…
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Great news. Guys like Jericho really help during the post-Mania doldrums.
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Well, Jericho will become a Diva, I’m sure.
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Jericho vs. Punk should be an awesome match. I’ve personally enjoyed Jericho more in this feud (I’m not big on Punk), but both are two of the top wrestlers in the game today and if given time (big if!) this should be a show stealing match. Jericho winning would really heat the feud up IMO and it probably should happen that way since Punk hasn’t faced a really threatening opponent since he won the belt from Del Rio in November. He’s kind of dominated every feud he’s been in since that time and maybe Jericho will become the one roadblock he can’t overcome on the first try.
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You’re so right with saying that about Punk. He hasn’t had any competition at all really. The whole mini feud with Dolph was a nice small show case, but obviously Dolph wasn’t a threat. I’m really hoping Jericho takes this win or even at the next PPV if it’s from Chicago. Last time Punk got the big win in his hometown, so it’s time for a loss I think. LOL
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This WM may be remembered for Rock/Cena, but Jericho/Punk will still the show.
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Very much looking forward to this. I don’t think it’s going to be quite the masterpiece that some people expect as Jericho and Punk are both quite sloppy despite being great all round workers. Still though they are two massive characters and it’s going to be really special watching them go at it.
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I wouldn’t call them sloppy as it depends who they’re working with at the same time. For example. Remember Jericho vs. Big Show a few years ago? You can see there was sloppiness but working with Big Show, you’re bound to be.
Saying that, you could be right, I guess we just gotta wait and see 🙂
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When I think about how technical Punk/Cena got, and Punk/Dolph got, I can’t agree with the sloppy part. Jericho on the other hand hasn’t performed on a huge stage like this in a while, so he could be a bit rusty. Hopefully the damn yoga and Storm Wrestling Academy help paid off.
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Good point about the tiantron thing. The “best in the world” exchange between the pair was absolutely fierce and then it transitioned from authentic hate to soap operatic melodrama with the whole family issues. Punk and Jericho did really well with the material though so I’m quite pleased with the build overall.
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How do you think it’s going to play out after Mania? Did I add the right twitter P.S.?
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Yeah you did. Cheers. I would love to see Punk continue as champ for a long ass time as I think he could make a really long reign work to his advantage. I would like to see Jericho come up short in their matches and become increasingly unhinged as he tries to find a way to beat the new top dog as Andy called it. Jericho is great as a frustrated, whiny heel, Punk’s great as champion – I think it’s a goody dynamic to go with for a few months. The thing that’s great about Jericho is that he’s so tremendous on the mic that he can recover from pretty much anything. Losses don’t effect him like they do most main eventers.
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Lol I always forget which wordpress account I’m logged in as. It was me wrestling rambles, it was me all allloonngggg!!!!!
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what’s your twitter?
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This is crazier than when Mr. America took off his mask and it was really Hogan!
It would make the title a lot more credible if he continued to hold it. I just really want to see Jericho get the best of him at some point. Even if Jericho ended up going ape shit on Punk at the PPV in Chicago, and make it look like Punk is hurt to get heat. End the match due to countout so the title stays on Punk. At least he will look a bit vulnerable. Then Punk would have to get a straight forward victory in their next match to prove he deserves it.
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Punk needs to come off good in this fued, real good. After Mania there wont be no Taker, HBK, Rock, HHH(maybe) so WWE are gonna needs the young breed to carry the ball.
This Punk/Jericho needs to be about getting Punk over, he needs to come out on top. It doesn’t really matter who wins the title, if Punk loses at Mania or retains and loses at the next PPV, all that matters is that Punk is cemented as one of (if not the) top dog.
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