This is from Punk's final ROH match. Look at the man's face. The fans, knowing full well that this man is making what will likely be his final performance in a Ring Of Honor (a double entendre if I've ever typed one), are flooding the ring with streamers, a Japanese tradition that ROH fans have adopted to honor those wrestlers who deserve their affection.The fans know that Punk is leaving their small, closeknit community, and moving on to a larger stage. And they love him. And he knows it.
But the look on Punk's face is what really gets me. So much can be seen there.
Pain - you can see the pain in Punk's face, knowing that he is leaving a place where he gave, and received, so much. You can see how much it is hurting Punk to leave this place.Joy - Punk knows that he must have touched the ROH fans to receive this kind of treatment. And he knows that to have made that kind of impression is a demonstration of his own abilities. And he is joyed to know that he had the chance to make that kind of connection with his audience.
Awe - Punk is overcome with the reaction he is getting from the crowd. I'm sure he expected something, but I think this is beyond what he expected.
I'm not writing this just to do an analysis of what I see in Punk's face, but to say what a lucky man he is.Not just because he is getting a chance to do what he loves on the grandest scale possible. Not just because he has the chance to make a living while fulfilling a dream that many never will.
No, Punk is a lucky man, because, for one night, he got to know just how important he was to others. He got to go out in front of the crowd, and feel their affection and appreciation, and know how much he meant to them. And there are times when that is what I want.
Not to be the centre of attention. Not to have my ego stroked. But to have the opportunity to know that what you do is making a difference. Maybe not curing cancer. Maybe not saving babies or doing what some people (mainly those who are so myopic that they cannot accept anything they themselves don't understand) would call "important."
For this one night, a night he will probably always remember, CM Punk knew that people appreciated him, and what he does. Sure it required him to go through a certain amount of emotional pain. But I think the pain is worth it. Because the rewards, the feeling of acceptance, of accomplishment, of appreciation, are ones that will always be with you.
On this night, these people loved CM Punk. But it was more than that. They didn't just love CM Punk the wrestling personality. They loved the man behind the personality. They loved the man who gave his all for them, and they wanted to tell him how much they appreciated that.
I may never get to experience that feeling. But I think that, if I do, I will be a lucky man indeed.
