WWE Championship: CM Punk (c) vs. Ryback vs. John Cena
The odds are stacked against WWE Champion CM Punk in a big way tonight at Survivor Series. Will he be able to defeat John Cena or Ryback tonight in a triple-threat match?
The road to Survivor Series
John Cena went after CM Punk's WWE Championship at Night of Champions. The two went back and forth, only for the bout to end in a draw. Cena hit a German suplex from the top rope on Punk to seemingly pick up the win. However, Cena did not bridge properly and his shoulders stayed on the mat. Therefore, the title stayed with Punk.
In the weeks following, Cena had bone spurs removed from his elbow, leaving his status at Hell in a Cell up in the air. Cena was ultimately unable to compete.
Enter Ryback, who was given the shot at Punk in the cell. Ryback took advantage of it and had Punk up for the Shell Shocked, but referee Brad Maddox went rogue and low-blowed the monster. He helped Punk hook the leg and proceeded with a fast count.
Ryback dealt with Maddox this week on Raw, sending him off in an ambulance. Meanwhile, CM Punk took on John Cena in the main event. Punk tried to escape the match, but he was met with Ryback coming down the ramp to greet him. John Cena pulled him back in the ring and was able to pin Punk to the mat. However, after the match, Cena and Ryback were locked in a staredown, leading to a tug-of-war over the WWE title. Punk sat on the apron and looked distraught as the two behemoths hungered for his belt.
While Ryback may need to deal with the distractions of a potential Maddox return, John Cena also has the weight of his alleged affair with former Raw GM AJ Lee to carry. Vickie Guerrero has lead the witch hunt in recent weeks and could have something cooked up here.
What's at stake?
For Punk, he has been sitting on a year as champion. The belt acts as his validation for his claim of being "best in the world." It also ensures him his place in history. While not having the physique of the stereotypical wrestling champion, Punk's belt serves as evidence of his greatness. Without it, it could be damaging, taking a big hit on his ego.
Ryback's animal tendencies have made him somewhat of an unstoppable force. To maintain that aura, a win here would be necessary. While he is still a terror for any wrestler to meet up with, that invincibility would become more a myth if he has trouble taking home a victory tonight.
John Cena has been out of the championship picture for quite a while in terms of actually holding on to the belt. Despite him always being the golden goose of the WWE, it is hard to take him terribly seriously with the real McCoy around his waist. If Cena truly is the best that the WWE touts him to be, a win here is necessary to silence the critics.
Will CM Punk be able to continue his reign of dominance in the WWE? Can Ryback or John Cena find a way to defeat the underhanded tactics that Punk might have up his sleeve? You can tune into Survivor Series tonight to see how it all unfolds.