WWE Reality Era: Is Punk vs. Laurinaitis Becoming The New Austin vs. McMahon Feud?

Some like me argue that the Attitude Era was and is one of the best eras in the WWE's history, and probably one of the best eras in professional wrestling, right next to The Monday Night Wars between WWE and WCW. The main driving force behind the Attitude Era was the rivalry between Stone Cold Steve Austin and Vince McMahon. There's a trending similarity today between CM Punk and the Interim Raw GM John Laurinaitis. Bleacher Report's Michael Prunka in his column thought most people compared the Punk/Laurinaitis feud to Austin/McMahon.

My question is, in this dubbed "reality era", is John Laurinaitis helping CM Punk regain the steam he once had when he won the WWE Championship at Money In The Bank, and then came back as the prodigal WWE Champion? My answer: Yes.

Since Survivor Series, Punk has been on a roll as WWE Champion, turning away the challenges of both The Miz and Alberto Del Rio in a TLC Triple Threat Match, as well as Dolph Ziggler in the past couple of months, and now contends with defending his WWE Championship inside the elimination chamber. In my mind, this presents another chance for hatred between these two to gain traction, as Laurinaitis has the power (if he isn't fired by Triple H) to place the Straight Edge Saint as the one of the two participants to start the match, and place someone like Ziggler in that coveted #6 spot to enter the chamber last. This opportunity can also help Punk prove to Laurinaitis that he is indeed the "Best In The World," and that nothing will stop him from getting to Miami as the WWE Champion.

Does this animosity have the potential to become something similar to Austin/McMahon? Yes....as long as WWE creative plots it out the way it should be plotted out.

During the Austin/McMahon rivalry, I credit the creative team at the time giving both Austin and Vince a wide range of things to do and work with, like the zamboni, 'Bedpan McMahon,' the cement truck, and the corporate beer bath before WrestleMania XV.

In today's PG-driven era, creative and the talent doesn't have a limitless stretch like they did almost 15 years ago, when the WWE was all about shock value, but even in a PG-motivated era, the animosity between CM Punk and John Laurinaitis can still be taken to that next level, but it's up to the creative team in Stamford, CT to put their heads together and determining how they can maximize the potential of the natural hatred between the Second City Savior and the Interim Raw GM.

So, to answer my original question of if the Punk/Laurinaitis rivalry is becoming the next Austin/McMahon, my answer after deliberation and months of observation....is yes.