The new "Ask the Specialists" Roundtable is the latest spin-off from the "Ask the Torch" feature. CSI led to CSI: New York and CSI: Miami, which is where you'll find the Specialists tackling a daily topic submitted by PWTorch readers to askpwtorch@gmail.com.

Ask the Specialists Roundtable #16

- Question from PWTorch reader Aaron: How long do you think the C.M. Punk chants will last?

- "Mr. PPV" Nathan Kyght responds: That's a tough one. Much like "Cena Sucks," part of the reason the fans are chanting it is because it's seen as the "cool" thing to do, and the fans very much like making themselves a focal point of a show. Is every fan that is chanting "C.M. Punk" really hoping that he returns? Or, are they entertaining themselves and chanting something that they think may bother WWE?

In certain areas (particularly Chicago), and at certain times (obviously in the weeks after Punk left) I believe that the chants were genuine, but as time goes on I imagine that they will dwindle and be pulled out now and then as a "look at us" chant by whichever crowd decides to do it. I mean, crowds chant for "Michael Cole" during dull segments and they're probably not clamoring for him to pull the college wrestling headgear back on and give it another run.

- "Common Fan" Jimmy Eaton (@TheCommonFan) responds: I think they're already starting to die down. Now, when they go to Chicago for Payback next week? Different story. In general, though, I think they will start getting dwindling over time, but will still be apparent at times depending on the location of each show.

- "Hits & Misses" Jon Mezzera responds: They've already diminished so much. They will continue in the larger more intense markets for longer than the smaller more casual ones. They will be huge in Chicago next month for Payback. But, they will continue to dwindle slowly until he returns or they go away all together.

The WrestleMania type audiences will keep them up longer, but they will soon be no more intense with those fans than a Y2J chant. At least that's my guess. I think even Punk's biggest fans (at least most of them) realize he left the company. He wasn't fired and if it were up to WWE, he would be in a place of prominence on Raw every week. So, chanting for him isn't really a sign of rebellion or anything like that.

- "Mr. TV" Justin James (@Justin_M_James) responds: I think they will last as long as there are some fans who want to see him back and the in-arena events are dull enough that folks have the opportunity to hijack the show. I am sure that they will be gone in a few more months, especially as WWE continues to put continued emphasis on folks like Daniel Bryan, Bray Wyatt, Cesaro, and Paige, who have proven to be very popular among the same fans who are chanting for C.M. Punk. I can say that from my personal dealing with more hardcore fans (the kinds of folks who watch NXT at least a few times a week) that the mood has really soured against C.M. Punk, even from folks who are fans of his.

- "Mr. Europe" Brian Leahy (@CobyHectic responds: They will last until either Punk or WWE comes out and clarifies the situation. Either that, or they'll last as long as the "what?" chants did......What?

***

[ FYI: The specialists consist of a mix of current PWTorch contributors providing their opinion on today's wrestling scene and modern wrestling history questions, including Shawn Valentino, Michael Moore, Ben Tucker, Jon Mezzera, Justin James, Brian Leahy, Jimmy Eaton, Nathan Kyght, Tony Donofrio, and Mike Roe. ]

We suggest these recent related articles...

PODCAST ALERT: Now Available - Wade Keller on Jim Ross's podcast, plus Three Big Questions for Ross

RADICAN'S LIVE BLOG: Matt Sydal (Evan Bourne) "YouShoot Live" - WWE exit, ROH return?, stories from all over, more

PHOTO GALLERY: Smackdown TV Tuesday night in N.C.