Mind of Michaels: The Best in the World vs. The Great One & Rumble Main Points (Edition #2)

By Chris Michaels

Heading into this match CM Punk has done some of his best mic work during his entire reign as WWE Champion. CM Punk was serious throughout this entire feud and has shown that he is determined to show why he is, “The Best in the World” and the longest reigning WWE champion in 25 years. The Rock has the ability to mock his opponents, entertain the fans, and add comedy into the feud, but when it is time to switch and be serious, he does, and when he does it’s great television. The go-home show of Monday Night RAW was the best build to get people interested in the WWE Title match and like I said in my last column, “I believe The Shield will have a big part in how the decision in the WWE Championship match between The Rock and CM Punk is decided.” While Mr. McMahon has made that impossible people have to remember that Paul Heyman shook hands with Brad Maddox and said, “Stick with me and I will make you famous” and remember when the odds were stacked against Punk at Hell in a Cell Maddox came to his rescue and screwed Ryback (which I would like to say, Maddox has been growing on me and I believe he will be an intriguing character in the WWE), but now after reading up on a few things that might seem unlikely too (won’t spoil anything). CM Punk has proved with his feud with Rock that he deserves to be the champion longer and he should defeat The Rock at The Royal Rumble.

There is a lot of reasons why I believe CM Punk should retain, first, CM Punk has carried the company on his back for 400+ days and for him to lose the title to a part time wrestler would be a slap in the face to him. Sure, having The Rock hold the title while promoting his movies would help bring some exposure to the WWE, I get that, but at this point with a streak like Punk’s it took five years for a reign like we have seen with Punk’s to occur. CM Punk has set the bar HIGH for the next person who wants to even shoot to break the record. It might take ten years before we see a reign like this again. It’s a milestone achievement that possibly won’t ever be reached and you’re going to have The Rock who won’t be around AFTER WrestleMania end that streak just for a few weeks of exposure and for him to lose two months later? Rumors are we might see The Rock vs John Cena for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 29 (no way Cena loses this match), so essentially, we are back to where we started 400+ days ago when Punk cut the promo on the stage; No progress, no change, and a pointless reign. CM Punk’s reign as the WWE Champion is the equivalent to The Undertaker’s WrestleMania streak. His title reign should NOT end unless it is to crown the next superstar to take WWE into the next era and in my opinion that would be somebody like; Ryback, Dolph Ziggler, Daniel Bryan, or any of the guys from, The Shield. CM Punk’s reign could make a future star just like Undertaker’s WrestleMania streak could create a future star and that is how it should be handled. Having Punk lose the title to The Rock and having it handed down to John Cena would be a lost opportunity, but most of all will be an injustice and disgrace to how hard CM Punk has worked to bring prestige back to the title. So I am hoping, I am hoping that WWE makes the right decision and have Punk retain at the Rumble and lose it to somebody who deserves it and those somebodies are not The Rock or John Cena. 

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I have no idea how this will turn out, but I expect a fantastic 20 – 30 minute match between these two. I know it seems like I am against The Rock winning the title, but honestly, I am the happiest fan ever because I am watching two of my favorites of all time going one on one. It will be interesting to see which way they go I don’t think a match was this unpredictable since Ryback/Punk at Hell in a Cell. I will enjoy this.

Main points of the United States Championship Pre-Show Match:

• The Miz’s babyface turn has been a flop.

• Antonio Cesaro’s reign as U.S. Champion is as much attention the title has gotten in years and he should continue as a mid-card wrestler.

• Antonio Cesaro has a great set of moves his mid-air uppercut looks deadly and his amazing display of strength is inhuman with the Neutralizer. Big major player in the future
  
• Antonio Cesaro retains; his next opponent should be a returning Jack Swagger as a babyface.
  
• The Miz is stuck in a rut and at this point is in a very dangerous stage of his career of becoming irrelevant.

Main points of WWE Tag Championship Match:

• In my opinion Team Hell No has ran its course and now it’s time for Daniel Bryan and Kane to separate and aim for bigger things for both of their careers (especially Bryan).
  
• At the Royal Rumble I see Rhodes Scholars becoming the new tag team champions
  
• While I am not a big fan of Damien Sandow and Cody Rhodes as a team they are a team who can pick up where Team Hell No left off.
  
• I see the match ending with some sort of dispute between Daniel Bryan and Kane which will cause them to lose the titles to Rhodes Scholars.
  
• Team Hell No will continue the rivalry for a few more weeks.
  
  

Main points of World Heavyweight Championship Match:

• So far I have enjoyed the face turn of Alberto Del Rio he is much more enjoyable in my point of view portraying the role of a good guy.
  
• I see Del Rio retaining the championship at the Rumble. Del Rio’s face turn is going so well I can’t see any reason why he would drop the title back to Show.
  
• While I don’t believe that this match will live up to the match they had on SmackDown I do believe that we will see a few of the same spots.
  
• I see The Big Show continuing this grudge with Booker T which now I am thinking might end up with these two facing off at WrestleMania.
  
• Alberto Del Rio I could see going on to Elimination Chamber and dropping the title, but being involved in the title picture heading into WrestleMania.

Main points of The Royal Rumble Match:

• Keep an eye out for Dolph Ziggler.
  
• Anticipate possible returns from Christian and Mark Henry.
  
• Expect surprise appearances from Shelton Benjamin, Tommy Dreamer, Brock Lesnar, New Age Outlaws.
  
• Expect The Shield to cost Sheamus, Randy Orton, or Ryback the Rumble match
  
• Expect the loser of the WWE Championship match to be involved.
  
• My winner choice: John Cena