By: James Wortman
November 19, 2011
As many Superstars can attest, the Anaconda Vise is the most excruciating maneuver in CM Punk’s arsenal. This Sunday at Survivor Series, three weeks after using the submission hold to force Alberto Del Rio to grant him a WWE Championship opportunity at the 25th annual event, The Voice of the Voiceless could very well utilize it to wrench the prestigious prize from The Mexican Aristocrat’s grasp.
Although Punk has scored numerous victories with his signature Go to Sleep (GTS) over the years, The Straight Edge Superstar explained to WWE.com that making opponents tap out to the Anaconda Vise was a key component of his success when he first emerged in WWE.
“The Anaconda Vise was my bread and butter when I came to WWE in 2006,” Punk said. “I had it in my pocket for a while and I’m glad that I’ve dusted it off.”
Following the Anaconda Vise gripped on Raw’s announcer on Monday night, Michael Cole told WWE.com reporters his intent to sue CM Punk. Who does Cole want as his lawyer?
Related Links:
WWE.com Exclusive: Michael Cole vows to file a lawsuit against CM Punk following RAW GETS ROCKED
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Jim Ross failed The Michael Cole Challenge
Is anyone in the WWE Universe surprised that The Michael Cole Challenge was a sham? After weeks of threats, the sniveling announcer finally subjected J.R. to three tests for the opportunity to take over his announcing position. First, the Sooner beat Cole in an arm wrestling match. Then, J.R. schooled him in a dance competition. But the WWE Hall of Famer couldn’t pass the final challenge — a comparison to see who weighed less.
Cole may have been entertained by his swerve, but he was the only one. Outraged by what he described as a colossal waste of time, CM Punk stormed the ring and vowed to make Raw interesting again. Of course, he was quickly interrupted by Interim Raw General Manager John Laurinaitis who announced a huge bout for tonight — CM Punk & Big Show vs. WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio & World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry.
Unimpressed by the GM’s declaration, The “Voice of the Voiceless” immediately went about making Monday night more entertaining by locking Cole in a brutal Anaconda Vise.
WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio & World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry def. CM Punk & Big Show
Before teaming with Big Show in an exciting preview of Sunday’s two World Title bouts, CM Punk was ambushed in the locker room by the vicious Alberto Del Rio and stomped into the ground. Bravely, The Straight Edge Superstar still made it out for his match, but he couldn’t stop The Mexican Aristocrat in his weakened state and was pinned by the WWE Champion. After the bell, Del Rio continued his assault, punishing Punk with the cross armbreaker.
11 Epic Photo Galleries from 2011
By: Kevin Powers | November 11, 2011
In honor of 11.11.11, WWE.com presents 11 incredible photo galleries featuring some of the best matches and moments so far in 2011. Peer back at the past 11 months of a massive year in WWE.
Click to view photo gallery
For the first time in its storied history, the annual Royal Rumble featured 40 Superstars as opposed to the traditional 30. The match also featured the surprise returns of Booker T and Kevin Nash.
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WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio def. Kofi Kingston
Still fired up after being brutalized by CM Punk last Monday night, WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio took his anger out on Kofi Kingston, destroying him with blistering strikes before submitting one-half of the WWE Tag Team Champions with the cross armbreaker.
Not content to stop there, The Mexican Aristocrat continued to apply the devastating maneuver before The Straight Edge Superstar stopped the carnage. Now face-to-face with his Survivor Series opponent, Del Rio told Punk to cancel their WWE Title Match — or he would force him to. Clearly not intimidated, The “Voice of the Voiceless” refused and came to blows with his rival before locking him in the Anaconda Vise. Of course, it was Ricardo Rodriguez who got the worst of it as Del Rio sacrificed his personal ring announcer to the GTS so he could flee the ring.
Hover below to read:
Del Rio defeats Kingston.
Botched cross arm breaker to end the match. Del rio carries on with the hold after the win, CM Punk comes out to the loudest ovation of the night… In progress.
Del Rio says Punk was supposed to ask him for a title shot, then says he forced him to give him one. He then insults England and gets heat from the crowd. He says David Otunga gave him a message from John Laurinaitis that he has to cancel the match. Punk says he didn’t know and apologizes. He asks Del Rio how he won by cashing in and using a lead pipe at hell in a cell. Punk says that people fast forward him on their dvr’s. Punk says he will make the wwe title more intresting again. Del Rio says he’s the best in the word as he is wwe champ. Asks him one more time if he wants to cancel match. Punk is thinking, thinking… Says no. Del rio beats him down, punk counters, ricardo tried to help, ends up getting a GTS while Del Rio runs away.
Next up is a backstage segment with Laurinaitis and Otunga. John says he’s not going to waste Brodus Clay on a crowd like this. CM Punk interrupts and beats down Otunga.
Miz and Truth mock Cena at the top of the ramp. Cena and Ryder are in the ring, and Cena holds up a sign saying Ryder next US Champ, and gets the crowd to woo woo woo. Miz and Truth come back out. Circle the ring. Miz and Truth clean house, with the ref in the ring exactly the was it happened on the main show. It’s a match, and Miz and Truth get the win. Ziggler comes out, all three storm the ring again, take down Ryder and Cena. Punk comes out, good guys clean house, Ziggler takes all the finishers to send the crowd home happy.
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In a bout set by Interim Raw General Manager John Laurinaitis on WWE.com, CM Punk had to defeat The World’s Strongest Man if he wanted to face Alberto Del Rio for the WWE Title at Survivor Series.
It was a massive undertaking, but one The Straight Edge Superstar was more than willing to accept. That was until Del Rio’s flunky, Ricardo Rodriguez, hit the ring and jumped on Henry’s back, leading the official to award the bout to the World Heavyweight Champion via disqualification. Clearly, The Mexican Aristocrat wants nothing to do with Punk.
It looks like Alberto Del Rio will be defending his WWE Title against CM Punk after all. After being knocked out cold by Big Show’s mighty fist, The Mexican Aristocrat awoke to find himself in the wrenching agony of The Straight Edge Superstar’s Anaconda Vise.
With no choice but to agree to Punk’s demands for a WWE Title Match at Survivor Series or risk having his arm broken, Del Rio consented and the bout became official. Now that’s what you call hostile negotiations.
Defeat Mark Henry on Raw and Punk gets WWE Championship Match at Survivor Series
October 29, 2011
Careful what you wish for, CM Punk. After asking for a WWE Title Match against Alberto Del Rio on Monday night’s Raw Supershow, it appears the anti-establishment Superstar may finally get what he wants – but only if he can overcome The World’s Strongest Man.
The Executive Vice President of Talent Relations and Interim General Manager of Raw, John Laurinaitis, issued a statement arranging a match on Monday night between Punk and World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry. Should Punk prevail, he will earn a WWE Title Match at Survivor Series against Alberto Del Rio. For Mr. Laurinaitis’ full statement, please see below:
"After giving this CM Punk situation serious consideration, I’ve reached a decision. In my deliberations as Executive Vice President of Talent Relations and Interim General Manager of Raw, I concluded that although Punk is extremely talented, he has lost several matches recently. As a result, I’ve decided that he must prove he’s worthy of a WWE Title opportunity. This Monday night, Punk must compete against World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry. If Punk wins, he will face Alberto Del Rio for the WWE Championship at Survivor Series. I wish both men a good match."
Three sets of photos from Slam! Sports have been added to the gallery. Click the links below to view them.
Related Links:
Pictures from other websites > SLAM! Sports > Raw 12th September 2011
Pictures from other websites > SLAM! Sports > Night of Champions 2011
Pictures from other websites > SLAM! Sports > Vengeance 2011
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CM Punk confronted WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio
Interrupting another boastful speech from WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio, CM Punk questioned The Mexican Aristocrat’s claims that no one could beat him. Pointing out that he pinned him as recently as a month ago, The Voice of the Voiceless challenged the champion to put his title on the line against him. Unsurprisingly, Del Rio scoffed, saying the Chicago native wasn’t a worthy challenger.
The tense moment brought out Interim Raw General Manager John Laurinaitis who awarded Punk his WWE Title Match for Survivor Series, but there was a catch. Explaining that The Straight Edge Superstar had to revere him before he gave him a championship opportunity, the executive commanded Punk to tell the entire WWE Universe that he respected him. The incendiary Superstar sarcastically obliged, but it wasn’t good enough for Mr. Laurinaitis who told the tattooed rebel he’d take a week to think about the title bout. The Straight Edge Superstar then gave both the GM and Del Rio something to think about by nailing Ricardo Rodriguez with the GTS.
