CM Punk To Retire In 2014?

It's hard to imagine the WWE without certain superstars paving the way. Back in the day, it was probably  impossible to imagine where the WWE would be without the likes of Hulk Hogan, "Macho Man" Randy Savage, Shawn Michaels, or even The Undertaker. But now The WWE may face a even more frightful future without their longest reigning champion of the modern era, CM Punk.

Punk stated earlier this week in a article with MMAfighting.com, that "everything is up in the air" regarding  his contract expiring this July, and that he doesn't know if he will stick or around or not. Punk also stated in the interview with the site that he has gone through a lot of highs and lows with the company, even saying that some days he enjoyed going to work, while other days he didn't.

The confusing part for the WWE Universe is, this has actually happened before. Back in 2011, CM Punk dropped his infamous "Pipe Bomb" on a unsuspecting Las Vegas crowd on Monday night Raw. The promo was riddled with insults towards the company, including Punk's statement that maybe the WWE will be better off once Vince McMahon is dead. "The Straight Edge Superstar" then went on to vent that the company would then be taken over by Vince's idiotic daughter, and his doofus son-in-law, continuing to add to the tension of the promo.

The storyline later dubbed, "The Summer Of Punk" had more truth to it then what fans originally thought. It turned out that Punk's contract was due to expire on the night of that years Money in The Bank Pay Per View, and that personally, Punk was not happy with the way he was being underutilized within the company, even stating that "the fact that Dwayne (The Rock)  was in the main event at WrestleMania next year and Punk wasn't, mad him sick!"

fast forward to 2013, and it was the same thing. WWE again failed to utilize Punk following his 434 day run with The WWE title, only giving him one title shot that year (Elimination Chamber) , and then continuing  to throw him in pointless storyline feuds throughout the rest of the year. (Ryback and  Curtis Axel)

Despite two greatly booked feuds with The Undertaker and Brock Lesnar in 2013, Punk remained out of the Main event spotlight Always seeming to have the best storylines and best matches week after week, but never really given the main event to showcase it in.

The lack of faith the company apparently has for Punk isn't the only problem the Chicago native faces with trying to decide to stay with the WWE. He is also reportedly suffering from a laundry list of injuries including broken ribs, a concussion, and a back injury he sustained during a recent episode of Monday Night Raw.

Punk even posted a tweet regarding his injuries posting that "For those wondering (nobody), yes, it's extremely painful and difficult (humbling as well) to dead lift with busted ribs. #whocares?" this tweet alone should be troubling to any CM Punk fan who may be wondering if "The Second City Saint" will be hanging up his boots for good come July.

the fact that Punk's contract expires the same month as the WWE Pay Per view "Payback," which will be taking place in Punk's hometown of Chicago, should add a extra layer of mystery to fans. If this is indeed Punk's last time wrestling in front of his hometown crowd, wouldn't every that make the Pay Per view must see TV for every wrestling fan in the world? Even if Punk was to fake his retirement, the sentiment alone of Punk's last match ever on WWE Television would create huge drawing power, both at the event itself, and in Pay Per view buys.

It will be interesting to see how both CM Punk, and the WWE play out the final months of his contract with the company. On one hand, The WWE could try to keep Punk happy by having him win the Royal Rumble on Sunday and going on to the Main Event of WrestleMania. Or they can choose to keep having him put over younger talent in the company before he leaves for good.

personally, I would love to Punk have another match with Brock Lesnar, with Punk's chance to headline WrestleMania 30 on the line. The feud would then culminate with Lesnar defeating either John Cena or Randy Orton at Elimination Chamber for the WWE Title. Punk and Lesnar would then complete in a rubber match in the Main Event at WrestleMania with the title on the line.

How would you choose to use CM Punk during the final months of his WWE contract? Would you put the title on him to make him happy? Or would you have him put over younger talent on his way out? Let me know in the comments below!