Smark Out Moment

Welcome to another edition of Cheap Pop and Cheap Heat from Smark Out Moment!

Each week, we break down the world of professional wrestling and examine two of the polar opposite ends of the spectrum: one thing that was by far the worst thing (Cheap Heat) and the best thing (Cheap Pop) to happen over the past 7 days in sports entertainment. So, what went down this week that we loved and hated about the business?


Last week, CM Punk finally broke his ten month silence on his departure from WWE. Appearing on best friend Colt Cobana's podcast show, the Straight Edge Superstar opened up about just what it was that really drove him from the company.

Punk has been incredibly stoic since his departure, refusing to give any real interview or statement to discuss the matter. For months, fans wondered, begged and speculated on what exactly went down. To finally get that answer was big news for the world of wrestling, but not necessary good news for WWE. We will get to that shortly.

This man's impact still ricochets in WWE today. Random CM Punk chants can erupt at any given moment in any arena and nearly every single Facebook post or YouTube video put out by WWE has a "CM Punk comment". Even his wife's presence induces it.

Punk's podcast made for some shocking revelations. Yes, Punk walked away, but contrary to what WWE led us to believe, his contract did not expire; it was terminated. This changes the landscape of what went down a great deal.

We finally got the answers we had searched for, and unsurprisingly the impact was big. #PUNK trended for three days straight on Twitter—a rarity in our fast-paced world, as news stories are normally one day wonders, two at best.

But above finally satisfying our thirst for knowledge, I think it is a good thing Punk got this off his chest. It must have eaten him up this entire time, having to ignore thousands upon thousands of people harassing him on Twitter, or even out on the streets. He confessed to being called a "quieter" more times than he would care to remember (people on Twitter can't spell).

It is a shame this all had to happen as it did, but at least we now have our answers.

Next week, we will also be treated to a follow up podcast, so strap on a tin helmet, as you can be damn sure there are going to be a few more pipe bombs being thrown our way.


CM Punk's explosive interview was as bad for WWE as it was good for us. Several very negative things came to the surface which have bathed WWE in a wave of bad publicity this week.

While in a way, WWE was within their rights to fire him, he did after all refuse to come to work. However, the callous firing of him on his wedding day. Was it predetermined, or coincidental? If it is the latter, that is a bitter stance someone has taken against him.

The refusal to allow him time off for injuries, the incompetent internal WWE doctor who refused to treat/diagnose a staph infection (dismissing it as nothing more than a fatty tissue deposit), the lack of interest in his burnt-out state of mind, the petty refusal of issuing a new cheque for royalties owed to Punk—none of this bodes well for the company's image.

WWE has done themselves no favors by never addressing the issue, but instead tried to suppress it. They edit out CM Punk chants where they can; signs bearing his name are confiscated. The impression they gave us was that Punk walked out, he did not sign a new contract, and that was the end of the story. WWE normally mentions if someone has been let go. They were quick to release statements on Del Rio when he went, but did nothing here.

It would be madness to think any of this could ever stop the juggernaut that is WWE. Anyone thinking so is delusional, but nevertheless. The revelations have really given them some negative publicity on a major scale.


So there you have it, my two choices for the week. What do YOU think are the Cheap Pop and Cheap Heat this week in professional wrestling? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!