PWTorch.com - VALLEY'S TAKE: My Public Apology to C.M. Punk, plus Random Thoughts on Batista's "Bond," Del Rio, more

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VALLEY'S TAKE: My Public Apology to C.M. Punk, plus Random Thoughts on Batista's "Bond," Del Rio, more

Dec 5, 2014 - 10:55:39 AM

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By Jim Valley, PWTorch contributor

Not that he even knows me or things I have said in the past, but I am publicly apologizing to C.M. Punk. I have no agenda or Wall Street investors to serve. I didn't have enough information to formulate my opinion on his situation until this past week. I was wrong about C.M. Punk.

Until his most recent interviews, I wasn't aware C.M. Punk was as big of a producer as he was. He produced revenue for WWE. He sold merchandise sometimes near the John Cena level, increased PPV buys on 'B' Shows, and did what was asked and expected of him by management (albeit sometimes vocally against orders). He earned his spot and was consistently denied the benefits that come with being someone who actually drives revenue and makes money for WWE.

Forget 1970s Dusty Rhodes. CM Punk is the American Dream in 2014. He held up his end of the bargain only to be held down by those above him. He didn't just have great matches and cut promos; he made money and never got his fair share.

Yes, Punk is probably a multi-millionaire. That doesn't take away from the fact that he was still getting shortchanged intentionally by an apparently vindictive, out-of-touch management team. Even if we aren't in Punk's tax bracket, we've all been there. You shouldn't chastise Punk. He more than earned his money and earned more than WWE was willing to dole out.

Forget all of the minutiae in Punk's story. He's dead right on the major facts. He worked his ass off, wrestled through the pain and serious health scares, drew crowds, and was still given second-rate treatment. WWE has a long history of treating people like cattle. Punk is one of few wrestlers who had business sense, common sense, and a love for wrestling.

This could be a lesson for Vince, Steph, and Hunter, but it won't be. Look around. Workers are rising up everywhere across the globe. Don't get me wrong, employees and independent contractors should be held accountable, but so should the people who make poor decisions and have terrible management skills.

RANDOM THOUGHTS: I think my hearing is going. Is that Dave Bautista I hear laughing to himself all the way to the set of the new James Bond movie? Maybe it's Alberto Del Rio, who played his cards right and probably hurt WWE business in Mexico... Do I hear New Japan Pro Wrestling and/or Lucha Underground making rumbles? The only thing I do know is that it's not my imagination.

(Professional broadcaster Jim Valley is a long-time wrestling fan, PWTorch subscriber, and currently PWTorch Livecast guest host and now a PWTorch.com editorialist. He won a National Edward R. Murrow Award and several regional awards during his 20 year broadcast career. He has done TV announcing for several independent wrestling promotions, hosted his own wrestling radio show, interviewed many top stars, and was flown out to Stamford to audition for WWE. He took second to Todd Grisham. His Attitude Era "Total Chaos" wrestling radio show is currently being featured on PWTorch.com's VIP membership website, with new episodes added each month.)