Subscribe via iTunes: [Click here].

Subscribe via iTunes: [Click here].

Subscribe via iTunes: [Click Here].

Just as he said, CM Punk has made the WWE socially relevant once again. Check these links for some pre-MitB commentary from ESPN and a fantastic interview via GQ:

The Masked Man: On Wrestling and Reality (via ESPN’s GrantlandO

The GQ&A: CM Punk

Last night lived up to (and perhaps even exceeded) expectations. Fun show, compelling, left us asking questions and looking forward to Raw tonight!

I figured that headline would be more than enough to gather a few clicks.

Seriously, though, check this out:

Words cannot express my amazement. Must get myself to Mexico City ASAP.

Up late? Can’t sleep? Need a recommendation for YouTube surfing? Look no further! Botchamania provides a video compilation of the week’s screw ups and missteps, as well as nostalgic ridiculousness.

Enjoy!

In case you’re wondering why we made signs for a referee, let’s take a look back on Memory Lane… Charles Robinson was once the personal referee for The Nature Boy Ric Flair, earning himself the nickname Lil Naitch. He once ran 5 miles down the entrance ramp at WM XXIV to count the pinfall that ended The Undertaker’s match, thus extending his streak. And if you haven’t caught onto it yet, pay special attention to his reactions during any match he officiates – he’s the most animated and entertaining referee in the business!

I remember watching this match when I was a kid. I had a basic understanding of what a jobber was, but I still thought the action was real. I’m pretty sure I spilled my Corn Pops when I saw this go down. Crazy for its time, at least.

And yes, I believe the mullet count in ring is three.

Yes, we made signs for referee Charles Robinson. He seemed quite excited to tell Tony Chimel! (Who we also started a chant for). Such a fun time!

WWE is always scrambling in the summer months, still trying to recover from their WrestleMania hangover, where you’re likely to see stock prices drop, only to start moving back up as the next “Road to WrestleMania” begins the following year…

This year, they took a big chance on announcing next year’s WM Main Event: The Rock vs. John Cena. I like this in some ways, but in other ways it’s unfortunate. It takes some of the build up out of the equation, as we know one third of what is ultimately going to be another triple main event has already been decided. (The other two thirds are the World Heavyweight Championship and the Undertaker Streak match). In my opinion, they “shot their wad” a bit early, and the build up has been left to Cena and Rock tweeting insults back and forth every few weeks. Still cool, but not gonna drive ratings and won’t get people excited. After all, it’s all about ratings and PPV buys!

The other big story that’s been out there in recent months is that CM Punk’s contract would be running up this July (now only a couple weeks away). Folks have been speculating on whether he’d re-sign, whether he’d jump ship to TNA or ROH, or whether he’d just take some time off like Chris Jericho likes to do. Truth be told, the answer to that question still seems to hang in limbo. WWE took the internet speculation and let CM Punk run with it. It’s now become the most exciting thing to happen on Raw in a long time. The Nexus Invasion was awesome, but doesn’t even compare.

CM Punk saw his opportunity, and he reached out for more than just another one of Vince’s brass rings… you could say this is his “Austin 3:16″ moment:

WWE has gone to great lengths to promote this angle, as they’ve now “suspended” Punk, leaving his #1 contender spot open:
WWE Chairman Vince McMahon suspends CM Punk [WWE.com]

I’ll end this post by quoting many of my Twitter followers: “Vince, don’t f- this up!”