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WWE Champion CM Punk vs. World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan announced
With his job in jeopardy, Interim Raw General Manager & EVP of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis started off Raw SuperShow fully confident that he would keep his job by the end of the night. Then, after calling attention to the big Raw Elimination Chamber Match on Feb. 19, the GM announced WWE Champion CM Punk and World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan would collide later tonight.
After the GM’s announcements, Punk led the WWE Universe in singing “Nah Nah Nah Hey Hey Hey Goodbye.” Next, after Punk and the GM traded verbal barbs, World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan emerged to tout his accomplishment at the 25th anniversary of Royal Rumble. Then after the two champions mixed heated words, the 2012 Royal Rumble Match winner Sheamus came out to remind them that he earned the right to be in the main event of WrestleMania, where he boldly proclaimed he will become the WWE or World Heavyweight Champion.
World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan def. WWE Champion CM Punk by Disqualification
In a highly competitive bout, two of WWE’s best went toe-to-toe in their first one-on-one match in WWE. But before either Superstar could put the other away, Chris Jericho charged in and pulled Daniel Bryan from the ring, causing the match to end in a disqualification. With Bryan down and Punk vulnerable after the hard-fought match, Jericho blasted the Straightedge Superstar with the Codebreaker.
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WWE Champion CM Punk def. Dolph Ziggler (Special Guest Referee John Laurinaitis)
ST. LOUIS – Whether Interim Raw General Manager and Executive Vice President of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis intended it or not – CM Punk stood tall over Dolph Ziggler in the WWE Championship Match at Royal Rumble, proudly showing off the most coveted prize in WWE.
Rather than risk seeming biased in light of his upcoming performance appraisal by WWE COO Triple H, Mr. Laurinaitis excused himself from officiating duties in the WWE Championship Match. This ultimately allowed Punk and Ziggler to do what they do best in an evenly- officiated contest.
The sold-out WWE Universe inside St. Louis’ Scottrade Center witnessed the two Superstars lay everything on the line, highlighting the importance of the WWE Championship and The Grandest Stage of Them All waiting on the horizon in Miami.
The contest began with each Superstar trying to get a feel for each other’s in-ring abilities. Momentum swings were fairly even, both ring warriors trading blows and trying to make each other tap out. There were unforgettable moments and near-pinfalls that could have crowned a new champion, but ultimately these did not seal the deal for either competitor. At one point, Ziggler lined up Punk for his signature face-crusher, but Punk countered with a sit-down powerbomb. Although CM Punk had Ziggler defeated on a few separate occasions, the referee was knocked out for two of those moments and Mr. Laurinaitis was checking on the officials condition, leaving no one call the match. Finally, The Voice of the Voiceless took control of the match, hoisted the Dolph Ziggler over his shoulders and put him to sleep. As the referee made the count, Mr. Laurinaitis slipped inside the ring and joined in on the three-count.
@RyanLoco: Mr @sonnench & @CMPunk sharing a moment today before the @ufc @ufconfox weigh ins. pic.twitter.com/qJbKcxiI
Related Links:
Pictures from other websites > Twitter.com > Ryan Loco’s Twitter
WWE.com has posted two new features: Bring it Back! SmackDown’s Fist Set and Top 25: Stunning Royal Rumble Match Statistics. Digitals of Punk are included in each feature; these have been added to the gallery.
Related Links:
Digitals > Other > A fistful of classic Smackdown set photos
Digitals > Other > Top 25: Stunning Royal Rumble Match Statistics
Thanks to the amazing Kim of Ted-DiBiaseJr.com and Jillian-H.com, we have scans from the February 2012 issue of WWE Magazine. Click the link below to view.
Related Links:
Books and Magazine Scans > WWE Magazine > February 2012
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WWE Champion CM Punk called out Interim Raw General Manager John Laurinaitis
One week after unloading a verbal tirade on Mr. Laurinaitis, The Voice of the Voiceless opened WWE Raw SuperShow by calling out the Executive Vice President of Talent Relations, and demanding he admit that he will screw Punk at Royal Rumble. To the surprise of the WWE Universe, John Cena made his way to the ring as Mr. Laurinaitis did not. Cena took the opportunity to demand a match with Kane on Raw and to grant Zack Ryder a U.S. Title rematch.
The Interim Raw General Manager finally appeared and announced that Zack Ryder would face Kane in a Falls Count Anywhere Match tonight. He also declared that if Cena interfered, Long Island Iced-Z would never have another U.S. Title opportunity. Mr. Laurinaitis then announced that CM Punk and John Cena would battle Jack Swagger and Dolph Ziggler next!
CM Punk was interviewed earlier today on LocoandClass.com, 98KUPD.com and power983fm.com. Photos from Boy Loco’s twitter, and the latter two sites have been added to the gallery.
Related Links:
Pictures from other websites > Twitter.com > Boy Loco’s Twitter
Pictures from other websites > 98KUPD.com
Pictures from other websites > Power 98.3 FM
Super Snake sits down with WWE Champion CM Punk! Luck is for losers, at least according to CM Punk. Even though his arm is literally tattooed with good-luck charms, Punk believes you make your own good fortune through hard work and intense preparation. CM Punk is the only WWE superstar to win the Money in the Bank two consecutive years. WWE RAW SUPER SHOW, Monday, January 23rd (tonight) at US Airways.
WWE.com has uploaded digitals of the superstars from their past and present days in the WWE. These images can also be found in the latest issue of WWE Magazine.
Related Links:
Digitals > Other > WWE Magazine: Then and Now
@CMPunk: And this guy too. pic.twitter.com/OZuMm1IU
Related Links:
Pictures from other websites > Twitter.com > CM Punk’s Twitter
