The Piledriver Report 09.08.11: You’re Fired, or Are You?

The question begs to be asked, was Nash’s “firing” a storyline way of releasing Nash from his contract? Or was the WWE just using their website as a means to further the Kevin Nash/CM Punk/Triple H angle?

THE RETURN OF KEVIN NASH

Just a few weeks ago, it appeared that Kevin Nash would be an integral part of the Fall plans for the WWE. He burst onto the scene at SummerSlam, where he cost CM Punk the WWE World Championship. The following night was filled with intrigue as the fans were left wondering just who was the person behind the text message that sent Kevin Nash into the ring during the biggest pay per view of the summer? For the second time in as many months, the WWE had an interesting storyline on their hands.

Is it any coincidence that both storylines centered around CM Punk? This summer has been billed the “Summer of Punk,” and CM Punk has sure made the season memorable. First, there was the question of whether Punk would resign with the WWE. Then, we wondered if the WWE would actually pull the trigger on putting the belt on CM Punk as he walked out the door. Once it became obvious that Punk was back in the fold, the latest mystery surrounded how long CM Punk would be left on the sidelines. Of course, in pure WWE fashion, all of the questions surrounding Punk were answered in record time.

WHAT MAY HAVE HAPPENED

Following Punk’s title loss to Alberto Del Rio, a new mystery became apparent. Just who was the person that was behind Kevin Nash’s return at SummerSlam? I thought that the angle was playing out nicely. I figured that the storyline would unfold like this: First, Kevin Nash would make life miserable for CM Punk. Next, Triple H would deny that he had anything to do with Nash’s attack on Punk. Punk would feud with Kevin Nash, while not trusting Triple H. So far, we are right on course.

At the Night of Champions pay per view, Triple H would prove to CM Punk that he could be trusted as “The Game” made sure that no funny business went down in the Nash vs. Punk match. Triple H’s actions would cause CM Punk to defeat Nash.

Punk and Nash would feud throughout the fall where it would be revealed that John Laurinitis was the man who sent the text messages to Kevin Nash. Eventually, Triple H would side with Kevin Nash, and turn on Punk. However, I didn’t expect this to happen until early next year. This would lead up to a Punk/Triple H feud.

This is what I thought would happen.

WHAT COULD HAPPEN INSTEAD

Instead, we got some twists and turns that I didn’t expect. The most surprising was that the WWE put the kibosh on a Punk/Nash match-up. The reason was that Nash suffered a mysterious illness. The WWE decided to rush the angle, and put on a Triple H/CM Punk contest at Night of Champions in its place.

Around this time, the WWE’s website wrote an article about whether Kevin Nash will be bringing back the New World Order to World Wrestling Entertainment. Fast forward to this week, where Triple H “fired” Kevin Nash. This would give the WWE the perfect opportunity to have Kevin Nash and his friends invade the WWE.

Now, the news breaks that the WWE released Kevin Nash. I have to call shenanigans on this. I think that the WWE’s website is furthering the “Kevin Nash is fired” angle. The reason that I believe this is because I feel that the WWE put too much time and effort into having Kevin Nash become a focal point of RAW. I can’t see them just releasing him without any type of payoff. Why waste the money on Kevin Nash if you aren’t going to get any type of return on your investment?

I believe that Nash’s firing was done so his interference in the Triple H/CM Punk match will have a dash of shock value to it. His interference against both men will allow Punk and Triple H to each save face in their match against each other. Plus, if the WWE is intent on bringing back the New World Order, this would be the perfect opportunity. Kevin Nash would lay out both Punk and Hunter. Maybe he will have a partner help him in the attack. This will be the first member of the new nWo. Together, they can feud with Triple H and CM Punk, as this unlikely pair wants revenge against Nash and company for their attack against them at the Night of Champions. Eventually, Triple H would turn heel to feud against CM Punk to try and create this decade’s version of Austin/McMahon. Perhaps Triple H will become the “third member” of the New World Order, ala Hulk Hogan did fifteen years ago.