On his last night in WWE, the calculating and determined CM Punk challenges WWE Champion John Cena at Money in the Bank, emanating from his hometown of Chicago. Not only does Punk intend to humble The Champ and the entire WWE Universe with a decisive final victory on July 17, but leave WWE with its most coveted prize fastened around his waist.
After defeating his longtime nemesis Rey Mysterio at Capitol Punishment, The Second City Savior performed what he called “the most honest thing the WWE Universe has ever seen” by brazenly and vehemently demanded a WWE Title Match with The Champ at the second annual Money in the Bank event. However, Raw’s General Manager wasn’t too keen on having his authority overstepped, and placed The Straight Edge Superstar in a Triple Threat Match that forced Punk to earn the No. 1 contendership he boldly claimed to already possess.
Rey Mysterio vs. CM Punk
Forgive and forget? Not likely for either Rey Mysterio or CM Punk any time soon. The enemy pair rekindles its hotly contested rivalry at WWE Capitol Punishment in Washington, D.C.
Whether it was an eerily sung "Happy Birthday" to Rey’s young daughter, attempted unmasking or good old fashioned physical malice, Punk left an indelible impression on Mysterio that’s now carried to Monday Night Raw.
Arguably, WWE’s Ultimate Underdog prevailed in his months-long SmackDown struggle with CM Punk, who was forced into a mask himself as a result of one of the more memorable clashes between the two. Drafted to Raw, Mysterio quickly swung back into the sticky web of The Straight Edge Superstar, now the self-righteous liege of the nefarious New Nexus.
Previously, Punk captained The Straight Edge Society during his enmity-ridden rivalry with The Master of the 619. Today, the Chicago-born Superstar’s ranks have evolved and grown, now including a beastly specimen in brute Mason Ryan as well as WWE Tag Team Champions David Otunga & Michael McGillicutty (who were, in fact, crowned after Punk’s personal intervention). The yellow and black, “N”-armbanded faction may be unruly at times but also downright lethal if aligned under the guidance of Punk’s wristbanded fist. Perhaps not even WWE’s Ultimate Underdog can counter the odds of a belligerent army at the mercy of a malevolent leader like CM Punk.
Mysterio and Punk have traded blows, victories and losses thus far, but at the first-ever Capitol Punishment event, both competitors will seek a definitive triumph on the historic inaugural pay-per-view of its kind. Who will leave D.C. with the “W” in this fierce encounter? Tune in this Sunday, live on pay-per-view.
WWE Tag Team Champions Big Show & Kane vs. CM Punk & Mason Ryan
Tackling the formidable challenge of WWE Tag Team Champions Big Show & Kane would seem a fool’s errand. Despite the obvious pitfalls, however, their opponents at WWE Over the Limit, CM Punk & Mason Ryan, are hardly dupes.
On the contrary, The Second City Savior, a man so sinister he was inducted into the inaugural class of WWE.com’s Hall of Infamy, has proven himself as wily a Superstar as has ever inhabited WWE. Paired with the chainsaw temper and menacing muscle of Ryan, the New Nexus leader and his disciple have ample opportunity to seize their first-ever WWE Tag Team Titles.
Easier said than done. To capture the championships, Punk & Ryan must first pull off the in-ring equivalent of snatching raw salmon from the jaws of two hungry grizzlies. Since combining their sizable strengths, The Big Red Monster & The World’s Largest Athlete have dominated the rosters of both SmackDown (where Kane reigns), and Raw (which recently drafted Big Show).
In the weeks leading up to their showdown in Seattle, the four have been entangled in an ever escalating war, each eager to punish the other. Will the towering terrors continue to cast a shadow over the WWE landscape? Or will the New Nexus duo manage to take out the lofty leviathans at the knees? To find out, order WWE Over the Limit, May 22 at 8/7 CT, live on pay-per-view, or be a part of the action live at Seattle’s KeyArena by ordering tickets here.
Randy Orton vs. CM Punk (Last Man Standing Match)
In what is sure to be their most chaotic and career-changing encounter yet, bitter rivals Randy Orton and CM Punk will collide at Extreme Rules in a Last Man Standing Match.
The only way to emerge victorious in a Last Man Standing Match is to brutalize one’s opponent to the point where they can no longer rise to their feet in response to a referee’s 10-count. Judging by the tumultuous history between The Viper and The Second City Saint, these two competitors aim to settle the score under appropriately hazardous circumstances.
Since there are no disqualifications in a Last Man Standing Match, Punk – backed by The New Nexus – would seem to have an advantage at Extreme Rules. However, Orton will no doubt look to capitalize on the group’s apparent instability as of late … and perhaps its waning faith in The Second City Savior.
Preview:Randy Orton vs. CM Punk
Since emerging as the leader of The New Nexus, CM Punk has made plenty of enemies on Raw, but none of his adversaries are quite as dangerous as Randy Orton. With the rivalry between The Viper and The Second City Savior escalating exponentially in recent weeks, it seems there is only one place where their myriad differences can truly be settled: WrestleMania.After The Viper and his Legacy cohorts cost Punk the World Heavyweight Championship in September 2008, the unforgiving Straight Edge Superstar launched a long-gestating premeditated attack against Orton at Royal Rumble, preventing WWE’s Apex Predator from attaining The Miz’s WWE Title. Read the rest of this entry »
WWE will be taping the 600th episode of WWE SmackDown next week from San Diego. As it stands the company is advertising a huge 12-man match which involves Edge, Randy Orton, Rey Mysterio, John Cena, John Morrison & R-Truth vs. Kane, CM Punk, Dolph Ziggler, Sheamus, Wade Barrett & Drew McIntyre.
Source: wrestlingnewssource.com
Two miles of chain, 10 tons of steel, 16-feet in height and 36-feet in diameter.
Despite the considerable dimensions of the Elimination Chamber, the sinister structure hardly seems sizable enough to contain the animosity sure to be unleashed within. The Superstars participating in this year’s contest – John Cena, King Sheamus, John Morrison, R-Truth, Randy Orton and CM Punk – each carry long-held grudges as well as ill will that has only recently bubbled to the surface. And to foster their ferocity, the winner of the match will earn a WWE Title opportunity at WrestleMania.
All six participants have experience within the wicked walls, but only one among them has actually won: John Cena. Although 2010’s WWE Superstar of the Year has emerged victorious from the structure twice – most recently at last year’s WWE Elimination Chamber – that fact by itself may well place a bull’s eye on his back.
Unquestionably, the other five competitors will gleefully take aim. Although, it’s hardly just Cena who will be in the crosshairs. Randy Orton has also logged multiple Elimination Chamber Matches, experience that will serve him well.
And the man Cena defeated last year to win the WWE Title? King Sheamus. The promise of redemption alone should be enough for the Irishman to throw all of his Celtic power around the chamber.
As for former tag team partners R-Truth and John Morrison, these two athletic Superstars share honors as this year’s wildcards. Although the two did not win during their inaugural WWE Elimination Chamber Match last year, each of their performances proved impressive.
And what of CM Punk? The New Nexus leader will not enjoy the luxury of his fellow Nexi to assist him while confined within Satan’s Structure. The Second City Savior, though, has already proven his worth independent of his disciples, time and again.
Regardless of outcome, the Raw Elimination Chamber Match promises to provide the spectacle of a half dozen of WWE’s most dynamic Superstars clashing within WWE’s most diabolical of structures. To catch all the punishing action, tune in to WWE Elimination Chamber, Feb. 20, only on pay-per-view.
On Jan. 30 in Boston, for the first time ever, 40 elite ring warriors will meet in the squared circle for the biggest Royal Rumble Match in history, a bout that awards the victor the opportunity to compete in a World Championship main event at WrestleMania XXVII.
But who will outlast 39 other Superstars to begin traversing the road to WrestleMania, emanating from Atlanta’s Georgia Dome on April 3? See which competitors will collide in this over-the-top-rope spectacular, then discuss on WWE’s official Facebook page.
Alberto Del Rio
Rumble experience: None
CM Punk
Rumble experience: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
"Dashing" Cody Rhodes
Rumble experience: 2008, 2009, 2010
Daniel Bryan
Rumble experience: None
Almost three decades ago, the dream of modern-day WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon was made manifest with the birth of the squared circle’s most celebrated spectacle, WrestleMania. More than a quarter of a century later, an unprecedented 40 Superstars will have the ultimate opportunity to realize their dream of performing in the World Championship main event match on this now aggrandized stage for the most brilliant competitors.
They can dance on The Grandest Stage of Them All at WrestleMania XXVII. But first, one man will need to surpass the efforts of 39 opposing competitors with the same aspiration in the 2011 Royal Rumble Match.
A celebrated tradition in WWE, the Rumble has boasted 30 men since 1989. Now, in 2011, the competition gets fiercer with an additional 10 gladiators, forging the biggest Rumble in history and guaranteeing not just a longer joust, but also more eliminations and over-the-top action.
