MR. TITO: Paul Heyman and CM Punk Just SAVED WWE Survivor Series 2024 by Joining OG Bloodline

Let me emphasize, first, that no WWE event needs “saved” right now. WWE is on a roll, as they now have feature an entire roster that can keep you entertained up and down the card. Everyone is benefitting and there’s a team effort, compared to the previous WWE ruled under Vince McMahon who booked based on what he wanted and not what others in the WWE or fans wanted.

That said, WWE Survivor Series was just another Paid Live Event (PLE) before Friday Night’s Smackdown from 11/22/2024 happened.

Why? As I emphasized in my LAST COLUMN, the “new” Bloodline is kind of weak in comparison to the OG Bloodline. In my opinion, Solo Sikoa is not yet ready for the main event scene while the Haku Brothers, especially Tonga Loa, just don’t feel as exceptional additions to the WWE due to their lack of hype coming in. Jacob Fatu is a beast, but he’s playing second fiddle to Solo, a wrestler that Jacob is clearly better than. Compare this lackluster group to Roman Reigns and the very experienced hands in the Usos and Sami Zayn, and it was disappointing.

In my view, adding Bronson Reed felt like a desperate addition, as he’s a Triple H signed wrestler whom he’s tried to get over multiple times. BUT, as it appears, he’s just a place holder to boost the WWE Survivor Series 2024 “Wargames” match from 4 on 4 to 5 on 5… And the 5th member added to the OG Bloodline team was significant.

In case you missed the 11/22/2024 edition of WWE, Paul Heyman returned and he announced the 5th member of the OG Bloodline team to be none other than CM Punk. Aside from Roman Reigns and the Bloodline, the WWE wrestlers who are considered “Paul Heyman Guys” primarily consist of CM Punk and Brock Lesnar on the short list. Rybacks, Cesaro, and Curtis Axel just didn’t work out and the Big Show was a storyline ploy during the first brand extension (they’d later reunite).

Suddenly, WWE Survivor Series 2024 went from just another PLE to becoming MUST SEE TV! Just like that!

But my question is this… What is Paul Heyman up to?

And by the end of the Survivor Series match, who is going to turn on Roman Reigns? Could it be just Paul Heyman? I could see a scenario where The Rock buys Paul Heyman off, particularly after Roman Reigns DID NOT call Paul Heyman for over 4 months after he was attacked during late June by the “new” Bloodline. But I could also see CM Punk turning heel and aligning himself with Paul Heyman and the “new” Bloodline. Punk and Heyman gloating with the Rock would create some fascinating segments as cocky heels. If Punk turns, Roman Reigns has 2 big match opponents lined up for 2025 with the Rock (likely at Wrestlemania) and maybe CM Punk at Royal Rumble. Maybe Roman Reigns boldly wrestles BOTH to headline BOTH nights of Wrestlemania?

Whether CM Punk turns and joins what I predict is a heel turn by Paul Heyman is something to see… But Heyman is definitely turning heel. He’s foreshadowing it with his outfit, with the red shirt underneath his jacket with the red handkerchief that is very similar to an outfit that Solo once wore.

The timing of everything is just off and makes it obvious that Heyman is turning… Heyman gets attacked for defending Roman Reigns during late June. From then until early August, we see nothing from Roman. It’s not until SummerSlam when Roman returned, yet it was only on last week’s 11/15/24 Smackdown where he tried to call Paul… But the number had changed.

I think the HOOK is that the Rock paid off Paul Heyman, and that money will wipe away any tears or fears of managing the “new” Bloodline again. A massive beatdown of Roman and the OG Bloodline will likely finish off Survivor Series and ignite what is to come for 2025.

While it seems obvious that Heyman could turn, the question that will MAKE you tune into Survivor Series 2024 is WHY he may have turned… And why is CM Punk joining their team? Just an out-of-no-where teaming, aside from the Paul Heyman connection. Punk hasn’t been feuding with the Bloodline at all yet or been involved in any stories with them yet.

THIS is what makes the current WWE fun to watch!

There’s second guessing and a lack of predictability… Sure, the Triple H-led WWE writers believe in foreshadowing more than the Vince McMahon-led WWE writers, but there’s always additional twists and turns with the Triple H-led regime.

I just saw a quote on social media from Triple H to the effect that if the WWE only used his creative ideas alone, it would suck… In other words, Triple H has installed a TEAM EFFORT where he empowers not just the WWE writers and agents for their ideas, but wrestlers are getting some flexibility of adding their ideas as well. The end result is an energized WWE roster who is just killing it up and down the card.

Compare that to AEW… Everything is what Tony and Tony wants. He’s literally Vince McMahon-lite, minus the ruthlessness and the bad behavior with women. He’s stubborn on the creative ideas and struggles to empower others. Going back through late 2019, he was upset at some of the storylines that occurred in December of that year and he’s openly quoted as taking more charge of creative during January 2020. That neutered his Executive Vice Presidents and with time, they became even more powerless and were just there in title only.

Those who do not remember history are condemned to repeat it (George Santayana)…

WWE during the mid-1990s was what Vince McMahon wanted… Hence the goofy gimmicks, pushing a babyface Diesel, trying to make Lex Luger another Hulk Hogan, and silly Undertaker feuds. Then during 1996-1997, Vince McMahon assembled a strong team around him with Jim Ross managing talent, Vince Russo as a writer, and Jim Cornette working creative and as an agent while letting Bruce Prichard help with creative. Pat Patterson increased his creative role, too… The end result? The Attitude Era blossomed and many new wrestlers suddenly had opportunities. Then, one by one, that team was disassembled. Ross demoted by 2004, Cornette left creative during early 1998, Vince Russo jumped to WCW by late 1999… By 2001, Vince ran things with an Iron Fist again and even after Paul Heyman did creative on Smackdown during 2002-2004, Vince was constantly meddling (overpushing Prince Albert, for example, as A-Train). This was the WWE for the next 20 years until an over-confident Vince got caught with his sexual escapades.

When WCW became what Hulk Hogan wanted, that promotion was DEAD. The wheels were beginning to fall off during 1997 with Eric Bischoff seeking to become an on-screen character more than he wanted to manage WCW, but that Starrcade 1997 main event was a JOKE. We now have Eric Bischoff admitting, twice, on 2 separate documentaries that Hulk Hogan used his creative control to botch the finish of the Hogan vs. Sting match. WCW became a disorganized mess during 1998 and Hogan would regain the WCW Title by April that year. WCW became what Hulk Hogan wanted and Eric Bischoff, intoxicated with becoming an on-screen character, gave completely in and WCW’s fate was officially sealed.

ECW only survived because the team of individuals were willing to sacrifice everything to keep this promotion going… Complete team effort, as each wrestler did a little bit of everything from stapling fliers to poles, handling merchandise, working with talent, etc. However, as key wrestlers from that team left ECW, the promotion fell apart. The Dudleys and Tazz jumping to WWE, in my opinion, really drove nails into ECW’s coffin as Bubba and Tazz were trusted lieutenants of Paul Heyman for much of that run. Without those two, along with other wresters who also left prior to them, ECW’s house of cards were about to fall.

Wrestling is at its most successful point when it’s a TEAM EFFORT… More brains = more ideas in the right nurturing environment. While you can have that “too many chefs in the kitchen” effect, if the company is organized and led correctly, it can increase and motivate participation. Right now, you see a motivated WWE team and nothing but misery in AEW because everyone has to placate what Tony Khan wants.

WWE Survivor Series 2024 is gonna be LIT!

Here are my predictions, 1 week in advance:

• OG Bloodline + CM Punk vs. “New” Bloodline in a Wargames Match.
I believe that Paul Heyman turns heel and maybe CM Punk joins him. It’s going to be revealed that the Rock was behind it all, whether it’s revealed her at Survivor Series or later… Either way, I believe the “New” Bloodline wins via some form of screwjob.

• Gunther vs. Damian Priest
I could see a situation where Bill Goldberg screws Gunther out of the title, but I just don’t see Priest being strong enough to be champion again. Gunther wins and then we’ll get Goldberg vs. Gunther at Royal Rumble, Title vs. Career.

• Women’s Wargames Match
I like the babyfaces here, as it will be a big win over Rhea to prove that when she gets ahold of Liv Morgan, the heel will lose… But of course, Liv will likely put roadblocks up or other screwjobs in place to cause issues for their future matches. WWE is gonna milk Liv vs. Rhea until Wrestlemania and I’m fine with that.

I kind of don’t like how Survivor Series has Wargames for each gender and then the Royal Rumble has a Rumble match with each gender, too… Kind of waters the cool gimmick down when you see it twice in one show.

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