CM Punk
At last count, CM Punk had held the WWE Championship for 402 consecutive days. Since he’s nursing an injury, CM Punk is sure to hold onto his belt for a while longer. However, with three huge PPVs on the horizon, CM Punk’s days as champion are probably numbered.
In order of increasing likelihood, take a closer look at the most likely candidates to dethrone CM Punk as WWE champion.
Randy Orton
Not long ago, Randy Orton was just as big of a star as John Cena. However, two violations of the WWE’s Wellness Policy make Orton an unlikely participant in any major storylines. Vince McMahon cannot afford to fire the WWE champion should he fail another drug test.
Dolph Ziggler is perhaps wrestling’s greatest rising star. Ziggler has emerged from his male cheerleader gimmick to earn the respect of most pro wrestling fans. However, his MITB briefcase is for a World Heavyweight Championship bout, which should make CM Punk safe from a Ziggler challenge.
Alberto Del Rio
Now that Alberto Del Rio has turned face, he should provide stiff competition for the WWE’s top heel, CM Punk. Del Rio is a former World Heavyweight champion and he could defeat CM Punk for the WWE title. While not the strongest possibility, I’d give Del Rio a decent shot at dethroning CM Punk.
Ryback
Only the nonsense of the WWE has kept Ryback from already defeating CM Punk. A low blow from referee Brad Maddox and interference from The Shield is all that has stopped Ryback from defeating CM Punk for the WWE title. A Ryback victory over CM Punk would be like Goldberg defeating Hulk Hogan.
John Cena
John Cena’s career is certainly experiencing a downward trend. However, you know Vince McMahon would love to give his top merchandise seller another WWE title run. Kids, women, and a few men would love to see John Cena unseat CM Punk as WWE champion.
The Rock
You don’t have to follow wrestling web sites to know that The Rock is about to return to the WWE. I live in New Orleans and the WWE is advertising The Rock to appear at the Elimination Chamber PPV in the Big Easy. It would drive diehard wrestling fans crazy, but The Rock is the most likely candidate to end CM Punk’s WWE title reign.
Patrick Michael lives in New Orleans and has always been a big fan of pro wrestling. Patrick’s favorite wrestling promotion was Mid-South Wrestling back in the 1980s. Patrick’s favorite wrestling angle of all-time was the NWO and his favorite wrestler was Roddy Piper. Follow Patrick Michael on Twitter at patmichael84.
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