Scott D’Amore Evaluates World Heavyweight Title Scene on WWE Raw, Thinks CM Punk Winning Title Now Would Be the Wrong Move

The WWE World Heavyweight Title scene on WWE Raw got a shake-up this week due to Seth Rollins suffering a legitimate injury. In a new editorial column on Uncrowned, Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling promoter and former TNA Wrestling President Scott D’Amore evaluated the World Heavyweight Title scene right now on WWE Raw, with the fallout of Rollins’ injury and having to be stripped of the title.

D’Amore also argued that CM Punk should not win the vacant title at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event next month, noting that Punk should spend more time chasing the title instead. Below are some highlights:

On a potential heel turn for Jey Uso

“Turning Jey Uso heel won’t be easy. Fans cheer their favorites more than ever. John Cena spent the whole summer bad-mouthing them to their faces, and they still cheered.”

Scott D’Amore on why having CM Punk win the WWE World Heavyweight Title right now is the wrong move

“On the other hand, putting the title back on CM Punk at Saturday Night’s Main Event isn’t what I’d do. It would be a pale imitation of his emotional win over Gunther at SummerSlam. Even though WWE is scrambling to fill the Seth Rollins-sized hole, I think Punk should spend more time chasing the belt. There’s a bigger, more meaningful moment down the road. Last word on WWE’s World Heavyweight Championship: Stripping Seth Rollins, blaming his injury on Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed, and setting up a vacant title match at the next PLE was fine. Not inspired, but fine.”

On who is the top babyface right now in AEW between Hangman Page and Darby Allin

“There’s been talk online about who the top active babyface in AEW really is. Some argue for AEW Champion Hangman Adam Page, the obvious pick, while others make a strong case for Darby Allin. It’s a great position for AEW to be in — having options like that, plus Will Ospreay and Kenny Omega waiting in the wings. Hangman is the classic, straight-shooting hero. Darby is the alternative antihero: darker, more brooding, with that hardcore edge AEW fans love. His crowd isn’t necessarily the same as Hangman’s, which makes him valuable.

“Darby Allin was great on Ariel Helwani’s show last week. When he said he didn’t care about becoming world champion, that caught my attention. He absolutely could carry AEW if and when it wants him to. Maybe not long-term, but a run with the belt would be an amazing moment for his fans, and AEW and Darby could make it work. Ultimately, the company will want to circle back to MJF, who connects with fans like few others. But between Hangman, Darby, Ospreay, and the returning Swerve Strickland, AEW’s babyface side is stacked.”

CM Punk and Jey Uso face off for the vacant World Heavyweight Title later next month at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event on November 1. The event takes place at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, and it will air live on Peacock in the U.S. and on Netflix internationally. l

Meanwhile, on the AEW side, Darby Allin is coming off a huge win over his bitter rival, Jon Moxley, in an I Quit Match at AEW WrestleDream last weekend. Allin’s old tag team partner, the icon known as Sting, even made an epic return, helping Allin even the odds against the Death Riders. At the same event, Hangman Page defeated Samoa Joe to retain his AEW World Title.