It's 2011, Not 1996

Kevin Nash talks down to CM Punk

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger on Twitter

Pics in this post come from WWE.com

One of my biggest pet peeves about the world of wrestling is how some folks like to hold on to the past.  People like Hulk Hogan, Eric Bischoff, and now Kevin Nash who continue to talk about how they changed the world of wrestling in 1996 with the creation of the nWo.

Yes, it was a game changer for sure.  It was a big part of wrestling history and helped ignite the Monday Night Wars and create a boom period for the business.  But it was 15 years ago.  Get over it already.  I'm talking specifically about Kevin Nash's promo on Raw (8/15/11).  He and CM Punk traded some barbs, and Nash took us all back to 1996 and the New World Order.  He basically told Punk he should be thanking Nash for helping create the NWO and making sure "guys like him" got a big payday too.

Personally, I feel like the NWO is overrated.  Back in '96 at its inception it was great.  The angle was creative and cutting edge, but a few months down the road, just like ALL wrestling gimmicks it seems, it got old fast.  Let's not even bring up the multiple incarnations of the group.

As I watched Raw and the promo between Punk and Nash, I noticed something else.  Punk clearly buried the big man alive on the mic.  It seemed to me that Nash knew it too and was getting frustrated.  I don't remember who it was, but someone tweeted that Nash does his best shoots when he has a glass of wine in his hand.  By the time the segment was over, Nash looked more like a bully who got owned by the smart ass kid in the class and couldn't do anything about it but stand there and seethe.

I'm not exactly sure where this whole angle is headed.  I can see it being the Corporation 2.0 with Stephanie McMahon, Triple H, Mr. John Laurinaitis, Nash, and maybe Alberto Del Rio.  Or we get the return of the Kliq with Shawn Michaels, Sean Waltman, and Scott Hall.  Shawn of course would only work one big payoff match for this (read on).  I'm also going out on a limb and predicting the Cena and Punk end up as allies and try to help the returning Mr. McMahon "regain his company."  With the level of patience the WWE has, this should all go down by Night of Champions.  While I'm not a fan of this scenario, if they do go this route, take it to Survivor Series and create some kind of old school Survivor Series elimination match with the two opposing sides.  This all came from a "worst case scenario" talk I had with a coworker this morning.  It will likely not happen, but it's something I've mentally prepared for.

Punk tears it up.

But even in doing that storyline we're getting an angle from a decade or more ago.  I understand it's difficult coming up with fresh material 52 weeks a year for several different shows, but I think this also goes back to the WWE (and Impact Wrestling for that matter) not letting things build up and simmer.  There's that instant gratification mentality.  Maybe that's because of the fans.  But the ones I know want to see more buildup and less flash in the pan, fly by the seat of your pants booking.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy seeing legends and Hall of Famers return to the WWE from time to time.  But the way this is heading, Nash is becoming a key player in the CM Punk storyline.  Of course, I'm being very speculative with all of this.  I need to just shut up, sit back, and watch and see what happens.  But let's face it.  The WWE doesn't have the best track record for delivering on those "epic" storylines that start off white hot.

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