CM Punk looked like a pretty safe bet for WWE Money in the Bank in New Orleans — until now. His name was being discussed for the show, but that situation has suddenly become a lot less certain.
Joey Votes revealed the change on WrestleVotes Radio while discussing WWE’s plans for both Punk and Seth Rollins. After explaining that Rollins’ Money in the Bank direction had shifted, Joey said Punk now has a question mark hanging over him too.
“Additionally, regarding the Money in the Bank show, we’re told there is similar uncertainty surrounding CM Punk. According to a source, Punk was at one point discussed to work the event in New Orleans, but that is no longer certain at this time.”
That’s a pretty noticeable change from where things stood just days earlier. Ringside News previously covered CM Punk’s status for WWE Money in the Bank when Joey said he had heard Punk was expected to work the card. At the time, the wording left very little mystery.
“CM Punk, I’ve heard, is working the Money in the Bank card.”
Now the tone has changed completely. Punk went from being someone expected to work the event to someone whose involvement is no longer considered a lock. That’s especially rough timing for New Orleans. Money in the Bank became a much bigger deal for the city after WWE moved WrestleMania out, and TC made it clear that losing both Punk and Rollins from the replacement show would not exactly feel like much of a consolation prize.
“It’s a good question, and I don’t have an answer for you, but I do have a thought that if I am someone who was looking forward to going to WrestleMania in New Orleans and now you’re on this microphone telling me, Joey Votes, that maybe I’m not getting Punk, maybe I’m not getting Rollins. I’m pretty PO’d about the situation that’s unfolding at Money in the Bank, given all the high hopes I had. The Rock announcing Bourbon Street, here we come. Little Wayne. All the things that go into the Mardi Gras feel of a New Orleans WrestleMania that we’ve all known to come and love a couple of times over.”
Joey then put the situation into even harsher perspective. New Orleans went from expecting the biggest WWE weekend of the year to getting a much smaller event inside the Smoothie King Center.
“Two nights of WrestleMania has now turned into five matches at a PLE at the Smoothie King Center.”
TC followed up by saying Money in the Bank was supposed to feel like WWE making things right with the city. Losing names like Punk and Rollins would make that a much tougher sell.
“That’s what I’m thinking about when you hear these kind of news, that this was a make good to the city of New Orleans. Hey, we’re sorry we did that to you. We’re gonna make it up to you. And you know what? We’re gonna give you no CM Punk. We’re gonna give you no Seth Rollins.”
The card also wasn’t exactly overflowing with other top names at the time of the discussion. Joey pointed out that several major WWE stars and championship attractions had yet to be announced.
“There’s no Cody Rhodes yet. There’s no Randy Orton yet. There’s no WWE Championship yet.”
None of this means CM Punk is officially off Money in the Bank. It does mean something changed between Punk being discussed as part of the card and WWE no longer being certain that he’ll actually wrestle in New Orleans.
That’s a pretty big swing for a show WWE needs to feel important. If Punk doesn’t make the card and Rollins is out too, New Orleans fans could be staring at a very different event than the loaded night they may have expected after losing WrestleMania.
Do you think CM Punk will still wrestle at Money in the Bank, and who would you want to see him face if WWE puts him on the card? Let us know your thoughts and feedback in the comments.
This transcript was produced exclusively for Ringside News from the original recording. Republishing the transcription in full is prohibited. When using excerpts, provide prominent credit and a link to this article.
