CM Punk - Best in the World

Distributor: WWE Home Video

Released: 10/12

Featured Talent

Daniel Bryan, Colt Cabana, Cassie (“sister”), John Cena, Chez (best friend), Chez’s Mom,

Chaleen (“sister”), Lars Frederiksen (friend / Rancid), Curt Hawkins, Michael Hayes, Chris Hero, Paul Heyman, Kofi Kingston, Lita, The Miz, Joey (Matthews) Mercury, CM Punk, Justin Roberts, Jim Ross, Zack Ryder, Natalie Slater (former girlfriend), Ace Steel, Triple H

The Good

This documentary came out with great anticipation as rumors of it being very different had people talking.  For all intents and purposes, it delivered.  CM Punk, a completely unique sort of underdog, had a great story to tell and, like with much of his material, he wanted to dictate how it was told.  While this doc did have some WWE formula to it, the inclusion of many people not associated with the company, the amount of footage from IWA Mid-South and Ring of Honor and some of the harsh criticisms of the WWE really shocked some people.  Those elements really set this apart and made it excellent.  Perhaps when they tell the Daniel Bryan story, they will take that to another level, but this is true breakthrough.  The discussion of the Punk-Hero matches on a WWE DVD were kind of mind-blowing as I remember watching them through tape trades.  Hearing Dave Prazak on a WWE production seemed so bizarre.  Realistically, the story of CM Punk is so different and the WWE has reached a point where people are no reflecting on their time in WCW, their runs with ECW or any of that, they are coming from the independents.  This, like most WWE documentaries, featured chapters about dimensions of his personality - punk and hardcore music, the straight edge subculture, comic books and tattoos.  This seems like an above average WWE doc and one that I would recommend anyone to see.  CM Punk’s story is one of perseverance and self-reliance that could inspire many.

The Bad

What bad can you say about a documentary that basically delivers what you expect?  I think this was better than most WWE docs, but it still had that formulaic feel to it.  It was different in that it included music by Rancid and interviews with Colt Cabana and Ace Steel, but it was distinctly a WWE production.  Obviously, contractual obligations and bad blood would prevent this, but I think the absence of Samoa Joe, Raven and Gabe Sapolsky jumped out in the context of things.  I was also kind of hopefully for some really shocking inclusion like Ian Rotten or Chuck E Smooth.  The other issue was the constant reference to CM Punk’s detractors, but they were never given a voice.  Michael Hayes played the role of explaining those views while saying that he never agreed with them.  Vince McMahon was definitely a notable absence, but it seems like some of those who took issue with Punk never really shared their thoughts here.

The Rating: ****1/2

CM Punk [RF Video Shoot Interview]

The Good
This is not CM Punk, WWE super-heel. This is not CM Punk, emerging top babyface. This isn't even CM Punk, ECW, OVW or even ROH top dog. This is CM Punk shortly after his program with Raven in Ring of Honor. What this shoot interview lacks in 2004-to-now commentary, it almost makes up for in depth leading up to that time period. They explore how he broke in, how he worked his way up the ladder on the independents, how he tried to break into that next level and how the feud with Raven made him something special. If you've never heard much Punker before or especially if you never read his Livejournal (http://cmpunk.livejournal.com/), you have no idea how hilarious and entertaining this guy can be. While he only had been working a handful of years and only at meaningful level for a couple years, CM Punk is able to squeeze so many stories out into a really enjoyable shoot. The anecdotes of being on the road with Colt Cabana, his dead-on Raven impression, his wacky Zero-One experiences and his traumatic skull fracture all stand out in a real excellent shoot with an indy talent. I personally have been following him since his early IWA Mid-South days and as a "former" Straight Edger myself, I instantly found him to be a standout personality, talent and someone whose rise to the top of the WWE was amazing to watch. This was a really delightful shoot.

The Bad
The obvious criticism here is "why interview an indy guy before he's really 'made it?'" CM Punk was actually riding high following his series with Raven in ROH that was something that promotion had never quite done before. It seems funny that within 5 years, he would have reached the peak of his success in ROH and become a champion of the WWE's ECW and Raw brands! Obviously, a CM Punk shoot five years later would be decidedly more interesting and controversial, but this is good for what it is. If you enjoy the man and his humor, I can guarantee you will dig this. If you think he's an overrated blowhard with a huge ego, then you'll probably see all that shining through here.

The Rating: ****