Profoundness in Wrestling: Straightedge Superstar Doing More Harm Than Good

Written by DJ Rallo

Saturday, 28 November 2009 18:45

Welcome to the first of my new series entitled, "Profoundness in Wrestling." Here I will personally look at what I think to be some of the most appalling and hypocritical actions going on in the world of professional wrestling today.

Now, these topics I bring up will not be complaints about poorly written storylines or kayfabe events that I personally am not in favor of. These topics will be about what is shown on television that affects more than just the storyline. It is a subject that I think will affect the followers of wrestling or wrestling itself and how a recent gimmick may not be taken so well by the media.

Installments of this series will be published when there is something that really "grinds my gears" that I feel must be changed. Today's topic is the recent actions of Smackdown Superstar, CM Punk.

CM Punk debuted in the "New Breed" of ECW in 2006 and was acclaiming to be straight edge and hardcore. Punk did not drink, smoke, take overdoses of medication, or anything that could harm his body. He was applauded by fans for about two and a half years being one of the most beloved mid card babyfaces before reaching superstardom in 2009. Some may argue he reached superstardom the previous year after he "defeated" Edge for the World Heavyweight Championship, but we all know how that run was a total dud.

Punk won the Money In the Bank Ladder Match for the second consecutive year at WrestleMania 25 and cashed it in on the most over babyfaces of the company at the time, Jeff Hardy following a brutal match at Extreme Rules. Punk seized the opportunity leaving the WWE Universe scratching their heads in the process. Weeks passed and tension rose between the "Straight Edge Superstar" and the "Charismatic Enigma" as Punk showed signs of a heel turn after ridiculing Hardy's lifestyle. Punk finally showed the fans his true colors by destroying Hardy after weeks of leaving Hardy in question of whose side Punk was on and it was revealed that Punk grew tired of Hardy's "live for the moment" lifestyle.

Punk finally disposes of Jeff Hardy the week after a solid TLC match at SummerSlam in a "Loser Leaves Smackdown" match. Hardy vowed he'd be back and the era of Punk offically went under way. Week in and week out Punk entered the squared circle and acted as a prophet warning the fans of abuse of drugs, alcohol, and prescription medication. Insulting the fans each week in each state he enters, the Prince of Pureness would call the fans addicts and tell them about all the bad habits they got themselves in to and how they didn't have the will to get out. This still happens in WWE as even this past week, Punk spread his "word" to both the Smackdown and Raw audience. He went so far to cure Festus from a childhood of neglect and drug abuse. Punk in my opinion is the third most hated heel in all of the WWE today, next to Chris Jericho and Vickie Guerrero and in I find it pretty upsetting.

I know some have complained in the past about having a "straight edge" character play the bad guy, but I think we've reached the point that it is just too much. What I mean is that each and every week, Punk will talk about alcohol and cigarettes which got a pretty solid pop. Tossing out the medicine and the cigarettes garnered a decent reaction from the audience, but it should be getting one of the biggest pops of the night if you ask me.

I do understand that he is supposed to be the annoying preacher. I get he is supposed to say that he's better than the people. I understand every word of why he is so hated, but drugs and things that kids will run into in their lives is a serious matter. Look at Punk's "Just Say No" catchphrase. Somebody offers you drugs, that is what you are supposed to say. Underaged and offered an alcoholic beverage, that is what you are supposed to say and that will be a problem for the millions of children who watch WWE programming.

Let's face it, every child below the age of thirteen has no idea about what true wrestling is all about. When you are at that age, you absolutely despise CM Punk, Chris Jericho, and all of the other heels in the business. They don't want to be like CM Punk, they want to be just like their favorite WWE Superstar, Jeff Hardy for example. Hardy is the risk taker, the enigma, the high-flyer and taking these risks and living the way Hardy does is the absolute worst thing you can do in your life. It is not only your life you are destroying, but many of friends, family, and other associates that must deal with your new addictions. I'm not trying to be all CM Punk and ridicule those reading who smoke, abuse alcohol, amongst other things because it is someone's personal choice, but it is not the ideal way to live your life and having a heel wrestler preach this to you makes those watching rebellious against the heel by doing the exact opposite of what Punk says.

Now after this week's Smackdown, they expect me to hate a man who claimed he's willing to aid those struggling with addictions and cure them such as Festus? I applaud Punk and find him a true babyface if he did not use the "I'm better than you" phrase. The man's gimmick is one of a prophet and I just think it is hypocritical for WWE to book him this way. Punk is so gold on the mic and inside the ring, but I think if Punk remains a heel for the longevity of his career (which I believe will happen), it needs to be without the straight edge gimmick. I don't think it would be all that hard to drop if it wasn't so forced. He can always use that as a backup part of his personality...that is fine, but having the fans have someone who pretty much has a gimmick of a straight edge man that is forced, you better expect some issues. WWE's "Don't Try this at Home" campaign is not just for imitating moves and actions of the stars on TV, it is about imitating their lifestyles. Kids look at these WWE Superstars in relation to Spongebob Squarepants and Ronald McDonald and stars with gimmicks such as Punk's that are utilized the way they are, there will be somewhat of a rebellion if you ask me.

Maybe, maybe not, but I feel as though this persona does some good damage to not only Punk's character, but to the WWE Universe. The exact same thing could be said about Jeff Hardy, but he fortunately no longer works for the company. As entertaining and over with the crowd he was, he was a horrid role model.

Opinions expressed here are my personal thoughts of a very serious situation. Some may agree, some may not, but please respect my opinion even if you do not agree, I am anticipating some leave their thoughts of the situation as well.