CM Punk/Kevin Nash Turnaround
One Quick Step Back Up
Last week in this column, I criticized the angle between Kevin Nash and CM Punk. I felt like Raw in general, but even moreso Punk specifically, have taken a step back and become "normal". While I still feel like they've lost a bit of the momentum they've had ever since Punk sat down at the top of the ramp and shocked the world with his "Shoot promo", this past week was very enjoyable in regards to the Punk/Nash/Triple H storyline.
Triple H and CM Punk have more history than Punk and Nash right now. Their back-and-forth on Raw was believable and I liked Kevin Nash this week as well. His stalking of Punk and the Jack Knife at the end of the match with Miz was good, his shove to Hunter got a big pop and it seems like he's settling into his role much better now.
I don't necessarily love the idea of Hunter wrestling Punk this quickly. From what I've heard, that match was slated for WrestleMania next year, but I believe that's off the table now. If Hunter is going to suit up for one match only and then go back to his COO role for a while (at least until next year's Mania), then I'm okay with it. I don't want to see Hunter go back and forth between his authoritative and wrestling roles. It should be one or the other. Then, when the time comes that someone (like Punk) forces Hunter into a match, it's a much better payoff.
There are a lot of conflicting reports surrounding Kevin Nash (what else is new, right?) and whether he can wrestle or not. From everything I've heard, the decision to put off his inevitable match with Punk was more a creative decision as opposed to a medical reason. Kevin has been physical for weeks now. It doesn't make a lot of sense that he's not medically cleared when he's a few bumps short of already working a match.
Regardless of Nash's situation, he's not going anywhere anytime soon and he will work Punk at one of the next two pay per views. I'm still anxious to see how WWE decides to handle the actual backstory to all of this. We still don't know who sent the text to Hunter. Are they going to brush it under the rug? If not, will the reveal be a disappointment?
This past week was a good step up for the main event story on Raw. WWE still needs to be careful and not drag this out too much. Kevin Nash definitely has a nostalgic appeal with the fans and can be used for one last, lengthy run in the company, but it won't be as a singles threat to your top babyface. Not for long anyway. Let him work the match with Punk and then move on to a role that is more suitable for his physical limitations. Pair him with Miz, Christian or someone who could use the added heat to further their spot.
I also think Kevin's name should be at the top of the list for Undertaker's next victim at WrestleMania.
Chris Cash can be reached by email at wzchriscash@yahoo.com. Follow him on Twitter as well @RealityofChris. Also, catch a special Tuesday edition of the Voice of Wrestling radio show (@VOWLive) tomorrow, hosted by Chris and Nick Paglino, exclusively on WrestleZone.com and VOWLive.com.
Nick was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until the age of 18, when he decided to pack his flack jacket and move to New York City.
