In the wake of WWE Champion CM Punk's knee injury, Chairman of the Board Vince McMahon has released a statement to WWE.com regarding Punk's status for the TLC pay-per-view (PPV) on Dec. 16, 2012, in Brooklyn, New York.

Here it is, in full:

Although he doesn't mention in specifically, it's clear Punk won't be stripped of the title, as some had feared. The priority, obviously, remains Punk vs. Rock at Royal Rumble next year but Ryback will get another shot at the title before then.

He just won't win. Probably.

Let's just hope the six-man match pitting Ryback and Team Hell No vs. The Shield makes up for the absence of the champion.