In breaking news, Executive Vice President of Talent Relations and Interim Raw General Manager John Laurinaitis revealed exclusively to WWE.com the Superstars who will compete for the WWE Title in the Raw Elimination Chamber Match: WWE Champion CM Punk, Dolph Ziggler, Chris Jericho, R-Truth, The Miz and Kofi Kingston.

With all eyes on Punk’s title, the six competitors will brave the redoubtable dome live on pay-per-view Feb. 19.

For the uninitiated, the Elimination Chamber Match is a bout in which two participants begin in the ring and the remaining four are held within pods in each corner. These Superstars are released into the match at five-minute intervals, with the objective being to eliminate each opponent via pinfall or submission. The last Superstar standing is declared the winner.

Measuring 16 feet in height and 36 feet in diameter, the Elimination Chamber has been unleashed on the WWE Universe 13 times since its debut in 2002 at Survivor Series. Heading into this year’s event, the Raw match participants bring with them wildly varying levels of experience inside the structure.

On one end of the spectrum is Jericho, a veteran of six Elimination Chamber matches. Tied with Triple H for most appearances, Jericho took part in the first three installments of the Elimination Chamber, and he scored big in his last appearance, capturing the World Heavyweight Championship in 2010.

Could that edge mean all the difference this time around? WWE Champion Punk is no stranger to the dangers that lurk within the structure’s wicked walls, having entered the Chamber on three separate occasions. Despite repeat visits, however, The Straight Edge Superstar has yet to attain victory.

Kingston and R-Truth boast one and two winless Chamber appearances, respectively. Ziggler and The Miz, meanwhile, are completely unacquainted with The Elimination Chamber. For them, Feb. 19 will mark maiden trips into the devastating dome.

With the WWE Championship at stake and personal vendettas very much in the mix, the Raw Elimination Chamber Match is sure to pack plenty of punch when it emanates from the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wis. Catch all the action live on Feb. 19 on pay-per-view starting at 8/7 CT.

WWE Champion CM Punk vs. Dolph Ziggler (Special Guest Referee John Laurinaitis)

At the 25th anniversary of the WWE Royal Rumble, CM Punk will defend his WWE Championship against Dolph Ziggler in a highly anticipated title bout. In addition to making the match, Interim Raw General Manager John Laurinaitis declared he would be the special referee. For Punk, the Royal Rumble provides the opportunity not only to put the loudmouth challenger in his place, but also to remain under the skin of Mr. Laurinaitis. For Dolph Ziggler, the Rumble allows the WWE’s resident showoff the chance to turn words into actions and walk out of St. Louis with the WWE Championship.

After weeks of back-and-forth between the two Superstars that included the showoff challenger stating his intent to beat Punk and become a “real” champion, Punk and Ziggler will finally settle their score at the Rumble, further ensuring that the pay-per-view’s 25th year will be a memorable one.

Perhaps the most egregious affront to The Straight Edge Superstar’s well-being during the course of the past month came during the final Monday Night Raw of 2011. With the cards stacked squarely against him by Interim Raw General Manager John Laurinaitis, The Second City Savior faced an uphill battle to make sure his hometown Chicago faithful left the arena happy. In the second of three title-free Gauntlet Matches scheduled by Laurinaitis, Punk faced Ziggler after defeating Jack Swagger just minutes earlier.

After an untimely distraction from Raw’s esteemed Interim General Manager, Ziggler hit a devastating Zig Zag, pinned Punk and momentarily silenced The Voice of the Voiceless. Furthermore, in typical Ziggler fashion, the braggart paraded around Chicago’s Allstate Arena with Punk’s WWE Championship in hand, leaving its true owner to watch intently from inside the ring.

On the first Monday Night Raw of 2012, the WWE Universe got another glimpse of Punk vs. Ziggler — this time for the WWE Championship. However, instead of a decisive end to this budding rivalry, tensions ramped up as a result of a Mr. Laurinaitis causing the WWE Champion to be counted out. Now these two outspoken Superstars will collide in St. Louis on January 29th at the Royal Rumble with the Executive Vice President of Talent Relations and Raw’s Interim GM in the middle, elevating both rivalries to new heights.

Will Mr. Laurinaitis remain fair and imparitial? Can The Second City Savior put his Royal Rumble opponent to sleep and retain his title when it matters most? Or will the WWE Universe have to get used to hearing a whole lot more bragging by Ziggler (and, by proxy, his overly vocal and heavily involved manager, Vickie Guerrero) in 2012? Find out at the 25th anniversary of the Royal Rumble Sunday, January 29, live on pay-per-view.

Tonight on Tribute to the Troops, WWE Champion CM Punk, John Cena & Big Show battle Miz, Alberto Del Rio & World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry. Tune in to USA at 9/8 CT.

WWE Championship Triple Threat TLC Match

WWE Champion CM Punk, Alberto Del Rio and The Miz will square off in a Triple Threat Tables, Ladders & Chairs Match with the WWE Title on the line. Only one man can leave a winner when the current and two former WWE Champions meet in the first-ever Triple Threat TLC Match for the WWE Championship at WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs, live on pay-per-view Sunday, Dec. 18.

Executive Vice President of Talent Relations and Interim Raw General Manager John Laurinaitis announced this high-octane match where the Superstars will use tables, ladders and chairs as weapons and as tools to reach the WWE Title, which will be suspended some 20 feet in the air over the ring. Dangerous, harrowing and thrilling, TLC matches push competitors to the limit physically and mentally as they battle at dizzying heights in their quest for squared circle immortality.

The Miz and Del Rio had to defeat two SmackDown Superstars – Randy Orton and Daniel Bryan, respectively – on Raw Supershow to earn their spots in the WWE TLC Match. While John Cena was named as another participant, he gave up his chance at the WWE Title to give his friend, Zack Ryder, an opportunity to earn a U.S. Title Match against Dolph Ziggler.

Since CM Punk won the WWE Championship from Alberto Del Rio at Survivor Series, The Mexican Aristocrat has been pining for an opportunity to get the title back. Although he was unsuccessful in his first bid to recapture the WWE Championship, Del Rio can look forward to another crack at The Second City Savior, along with another dangerous former champion.

The Miz, the third competitor in the Triple Threat Match, is flying solo after separating from tag team partner R-Truth. After The Rock and John Cena defeated The “Awesome Truth” at Survivor Series, the Cenation leader confronted The Miz and R-Truth. He played mind games on the underhanded pair, culminating in them turning on each other and Miz blasting Truth with a brutal Skull Crushing Finale on the steel entrance ramp.

A loner again, The Awesome One looks to regain the WWE Championship and then get revenge on Cena. Not one to be limited to one rivalry, The Miz attacked CM Punk. Having to defend himself from Del Rio and The Miz, Punk must feel like he’s being assailed on all sides; and that includes certain WWE management.

John Laurinaitis has been having difficulties with the title holder. “The Voice of the Voiceless” has already promised change and overhaul as he continues his second reign as WWE Champion. This does not appear to sit very well with the Interim GM, who is unable to even say "CM Punk" and "WWE Champion" in the same sentence. Laurinaitis placing Punk in such a difficult and grueling match is certainly a questionable decision.

All bets are off when WWE Champion CM Punk, Alberto Del Rio and The Miz step into the ring for a Triple Threat Tables, Ladders & Chairs Match on Dec. 18. No matter which Superstar is victorious, the WWE Universe will see exciting, high-flying action.

WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio vs. CM Punk

WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio will put his title on the line at Survivor Series against CM Punk. The Straight Edge Superstar is getting his rematch, and he’s hungry for retribution against the Mexican Superstar.

After Punk challenged Del Rio on Raw SuperShow, and pointed out that he pinned the champion as recently as one month ago, Interim Raw General Manager John Laurinaitis said he’d give Punk his rematch if The Straight Edge Superstar told the WWE Universe he respected him. Punk did as Laurinaitis requested, but in a sarcastic manner, prompting the EVP of Talent Relations to say he’d need a week to decide who’d become No. 1 contender. The EVP of Talent Relations announced on WWE.com that The Voice of the Voiceless would have to beat one man if he wanted his rematch: World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry. The World’s Strongest Man won by disqualification when Ricardo Rodriguez interfered on Del Rio’s orders. Then Laurinaitis said The Straight Edge Superstar could get his rematch if Del Rio agreed to it. After the Mexican Superstar lost to Big Show, Punk put Del Rio in the Anaconda Vise until he agreed to face him at Survivor Series.

The history between Del Rio and Punk stems back to earlier this year, when the Mexican Superstar cashed in Money in the Bank to defeat the then-Undisputed WWE Champion Straight Edge Savior at SummerSlam after he was leveled by Kevin Nash. Punk’s last title opportunity against Del Rio was in a Triple Threat Match in WWE Hell in a Cell, where Del Rio won his second WWE Championship. Now Punk is finally getting a one-on-one chance to get in the ring with The Mexican Aristocrat for the WWE Title at Survivor Series.

Del Rio isn’t convinced Punk is much of a test for him. The Mexican Aristocrat is never lacking in the confidence department, especially since he defeated John Cena in a brutal Last Man Standing Match at Vengeance. When The Straight Edge Superstar interrupted his title win celebration on Raw SuperShow to challenge him, Del Rio scoffed at his request. But now The Mexican Superstar must prove to himself and the WWE Universe that he is still worthy of holding the most coveted prize, the WWE Championship.

Will Punk get his retribution at Survivor Series and capture his second WWE Title? Or will Del Rio continue his course of “destiny” and defeat The Straight Edge Superstar to retain the WWE Championship? Watch Survivor Series Nov. 20 live at 8 p.m. ET/5 PT only on pay-per-view.

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."

Triple H & CM Punk vs. The Miz & R-Truth

The Miz and R-Truth are once again legally contracted WWE Superstars and will face off against WWE Chief Operating Officer Triple H – the man who fired them – and his partner CM Punk – the man who insulted The Game and his entire family.

We’ve always said anything can happen in WWE and this match proves it!

Ironically, The Second City Savior leaving with the WWE Championship at SummerSlam in July started a domino effect of anarchy that ultimately led to the WWE Board of Directors relieving Mr. McMahon of his day-to-day duties as WWE Chairman and appointing Triple H as Chief Operating Officer of WWE.

Punk was no easier for The Game to manage than he was for Mr. McMahon to manage. The war of words between CM Punk and Triple H escalated exponentially on a weekly basis. Their mutual animosity came to a head at Night of Champions when the COO traded in his suit and tie for his tights and boots to try and silence the self-proclaimed “Voice of The Voiceless” at Night of Champions.

Because of interference from Kevin Nash, The Miz and R-Truth, neither The Cerebral Assassin nor Punk truly achieved satisfaction; their rivalry remained unresolved. The situation became even more tumultuous on Raw the following evening when the COO fired The Miz and R-Truth. Even unemployed, The Awesome Truth continued to make life miserable for Triple H when they crashed the WWE Hell in a Cell pay-per-view, assaulted two referees, cameramen and Superstars, ending their assault only when confronted by police officers who restrained them and removed them from the cell. However, while being walked out of the arena with their hands bound behind them, COO Triple H could no longer keep his composure and attacked a defenseless conspiracy theorists.

Miz and Truth responded with a lawsuit and the majority of WWE Superstars, Divas, referees and announcers responded with a vote of no confidence in COO of WWE Triple H and fearing for their safety, walked off Monday Night Raw SuperShow, vowing to extend the walkout to SmackDown and all WWE events if The Game did not relinquish his day-to-day duties as COO.

As defiant as an executive as he is as a Superstar, Triple H vowed not to step down and the result was the WWE Board of Directors again interjecting itself, this time relieving Triple H of his governance over Raw and appointing Executive Vice President of Talent Relations, John Laurinaitis as interim Raw General Manager.

Laurinaitis wasted no time in rehiring The Miz and R-Truth, who ended their first night back on Raw SuperShow once again attacking CM Punk until none other than The King of Kings charged the ring and went after The Awesome Truth with a Vengeance.

Appropriately, at the pay-per-view event bearing that very name, unlikely allies Triple H and CM Punk will fight side by side against the Miz and Truth in one of the most unexpected yet anticipated tag team matches in WWE history. Can The Straight Edge Superstar and Cerebral Assassin co-exist and prevail or will Miz and Truth continue to make chaos the norm in WWE?

WWE Championship Triple Threat Hell in a Cell Match

Over the course of his 10 reigns as WWE Champion, John Cena has come to learn many of the hardships that come with holding that coveted title, but The Champ has never dealt with anything quite like this. For the first time in the brutal history of the Hell in a Cell Match, three Superstars will enter the unforgiving steel structure for a dangerous Triple Threat bout — and Cena’s WWE Championship will be on the line.

Two weeks after defeating Alberto Del Rio to win the title at Night of Champions, Cena will once again lock up with the underhanded Mexican Aristocrat, but this time the controversial CM Punk will be a part of the mayhem.

It’s a three-way showdown the WWE Universe has been waiting to see since the conclusion of SummerSlam in August. On that sweltering night, The Straight Edge Superstar beat Cena to claim the Undisputed WWE Championship, but was immediately defeated for the title by an opportunistic Del Rio, who was cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase.

Immediately after the evening’s contentious events, WWE fans took to FaceBook and Twitter with one question — which Superstar deserved the rematch? Was it Punk since he was the last champion? Or did both The Second City Savior and Cena deserve bouts with Del Rio since they were both technically titleholders?

Ultimately, the West Newbury, Mass. native received the championship opportunity and made the best of his opening by beating the Mexican Superstar — but where did that leave CM Punk? Amid the confusion and conspiracy theories of his bitter war with Triple H and Kevin Nash, The “Voice of the Voiceless” clearly had other scores to settle, but at WWE Hell in a Cell on Oct. 2, he’ll get the rematch he rightfully deserves.

With both CM Punk and Alberto Del Rio coming for his WWE Title inside Satan’s Playground, John Cena is in an unfamiliar position — the underdog spot. Can The Champ retain his cherished prize in the face of two hungry competitors and one seriously dangerous structure?

Order WWE Hell in a Cell exclusively on pay-per-view on Sunday, Oct. 2 to find out.

CM Punk vs. Triple H

CM Punk’s fervent quest for answers will lead him to an intense confrontation with WWE’s Chief Operating Officer at Night of Champions, where The Straight Edge Superstar battles 13-time World Champion Triple H.

Competing in the ring for the first time since his cataclysmic encounter with The Undertaker at WrestleMania XXVII in April, The King of Kings would have at one time admired Punk’s anti-authority attitude. However, trading in his D-Generation X gear for a sharply pressed suit and tie, the outlaw-turned-executive intends to silence the self-proclaimed “voice of the voiceless” after months of mouthing off.

Even though Punk’s Undisputed WWE Championship victory at The Biggest Event of the Summer was the result of some questionable officiating by The King of Kings himself, The Second City Savior nevertheless basked in the adulation of his screaming fans at the STAPLES Center after defeating fellow WWE Champion John Cena to become the sole bearer of the illustrious prize. Yet, the self-proclaimed “voice of the voiceless” was soon viciously silenced by The Game’s longtime friend Kevin Nash, who charged the ring and laid out Punk with his iconic Jackknife Powerbomb, a maneuver that has destroyed many a foe during the 7-foot former WWE Champion’s storied in-ring career.

Struggling to recover following “Big Sexy’s” unexpected and unprovoked assault, Punk was defenseless as Money in the Bank winner Alberto Del Rio cashed in his WWE Championship opportunity to capture the title. The following night on Raw, the WWE COO affirmed that he had no idea why his longtime friend Nash chose to attack Punk moments after his Undisputed WWE Championship Match. Nash, however, told a different tale altogether, saying that the order to “stick” the winner of that momentous bout came via text message from The Game’s cell phone – and presumably from The Cerebral Assassin himself.

Dissatisfied with the Kliq members’ conflicting stories, Punk continued to disrespect both men despite their many accolades. Fed up with the silver-tongued Superstar’s verbal jabs, Nash – now officially signed to a WWE contract – challenged Punk to a match on the Aug. 29 edition of Raw. Triple H made that match official for Night of Champions, but The Game later dropped a massive bombshell on Nash, Punk and the entire WWE Universe: He would face Punk himself at the prestigious pay-per-view event.

Can CM Punk overcome The King of Kings? Or will Triple H end Punk’s inquisitive campaign with a Pedigree? To find out, tune in to Night of Champions, Sept. 18, only on pay-per-view.

John Cena vs. CM Punk – Undisputed WWE Championship Match

Having each earned the right to call themselves the WWE Champion, John Cena and a returning CM Punk will collide at SummerSlam in Los Angeles. There, these dynamic Superstars will determine who deserves the right to become the undisputed bearer of the WWE Title at The Biggest Event of the Summer.

For the first time since the title’s inception in 1963, two ring warriors are in possession of the WWE Championship, thanks to Punk’s shocking re-emergence on the July 25 edition of Monday Night Raw. Just moments after Cena had bested newly crowned WWE Champion Rey Mysterio that night to win the title for a ninth time (his eleventh World Title overall), a smirking Punk confidently strode down the entrance ramp to offer his own unique form of congratulations to The Champ – by confronting Cena and holding his own WWE Championship high above his head.

Aiming to provide some semblance of order to this complicated WWE Championship scenario, WWE’s Chief Operating Officer, Triple H, mandated the following week that both titleholders clash at SummerSlam, with the victor going down in the history books as the one, true WWE Champion.

At WWE Money in the Bank – held in his hometown on what was believed to be his final night as a WWE Superstar – Punk accomplished what many believed to be an impossible feat. Despite Mr. McMahon’s best efforts to ensure that The Second City Savior would not leave WWE with its most cherished prize fastened around his waist, Punk ultimately finished off The Cenation Commander-in-Chief with a Go to Sleep to ensnare the coveted title before vanishing from WWE forever … or so we thought.

With Punk’s controversial victory and subsequent departure seeming to vacate the WWE Title, The Chairman scheduled a tournament to establish a new champion. Although the tournament was successful in naming a new WWE Champion in Rey Mysterio the following week, it would come to be known as Mr. McMahon’s final executive decision. Citing a vote of no confidence from WWE’s Board of Directors, Triple H relieved his father-in-law of his duties, revealing himself as the new COO of WWE.

In his first-ever “State of the WWE” address, The Game announced the beginning of a new era under his regime. Chief among The King of Kings’ decrees was a WWE Championship Match pitting Cena against The Ultimate Underdog on the same night Mysterio won the title for the very first time. Ever the fighting champion, The Master of the 619 was more than willing to put it all on the line against Cena, whose hustle, loyalty and respect prevailed that fateful night in Hampton, Va. For the second time in as many hours, a new WWE Champion’s hand was raised high in victory.

However, The Champ had little time to savor his incredible WWE Title win, as his victory celebration was crashed by the returning Straight Edge Superstar, who made it abundantly clear to the WWE Universe that “the best in the world” was back to question the legitimacy of Cena’s reign. However, thanks to The Cerebral Assassin, such questions will indeed be answered at SummerSlam.

Will CM Punk solidify himself as the undisputed WWE Champion? Or will John Cena make The Second City Savior regret stepping back into a WWE ring? To find out, tune in to SummerSlam, August 14, live on pay-per-view.