2012 Royal Rumble: Sheamus and the 5 Contenders for the WWE Title

The first thing I thought about when Sheamus and Chris Jericho were the two left standing at the end of the Royal Rumble was how each would be great in an angle with CM Punk.

Realistically, I thought it was going to be Randy Orton (and I prayed it was not David Otunga since he was in the 27th slot).

While the match between Punk and Dolph Ziggler was anything but exciting from my viewpoint, I wanted there to be more drama and more to the possibility of more exciting matches for the next 60 days heading into WrestleMania 28. We shall see if this happens.

Right now, the belt is firmly secured around the waist of CM Punk. But the contenders who could face him, and should face him, are a lot better to look through with the addition of Chris Jericho and Sheamus, who will headline at April's PPV.

Here is a look at the contenders for the title.

The Miz

His new character is bothersome but that does not take away from the fact that Sunday night, the Miz reemerged as a contender.

I have been waiting to see what happens with him, mainly because he is one of the better heels in wrestling in the past decade.

He deserves another push towards the top. After over 40 minutes in the Royal Rumble match, it proves he can still dish it out and be someone the future can be built around.

Jack Swagger

i pray he is not being touted as a real contender.

Swagger does nothing for me.

He could be a great technical wrestler (Kurt Angle-lite) but the WWE has him looking like a jobber with a title.

If he and Dolph Ziggler ever feuded, Swagger would need to become the face because Ziggler as a heel is pure money.

John Cena

I know he is now gearing up for his date with the Rock, but Cena has to get back in the title picture somehow.

Cena and Punk makes sense. Cena and Punk makes fans happy; Cena and Punk makes for great ratings.

And Punk's shows his best work when he is working with the WWE's most popular wrestler.

Dolph Ziggler

I think there is certainly a title run in him.

When that happens is anyone's guess.

Right now, he may have slipped a few rungs because of the interference of John Laurinaitis and because Chris Jericho and Sheamus may be hotter tickets than "The Showoff" is.

But Ziggler is close to being a champion. It is only a matter of time.

Chris Jericho

The world did not change as we know it. But we did see Jericho come in and give us a good performance in the ring.

Could Jericho and CM Punk happen soon? I sure hope so.

Jericho and Punk are like Roddy Piper and Randy Savage—two souls destined to live in lore as the greatest of their time but with a chance to prove who is the best.

Savage and Piper never met to determine that.

Jericho is also in the WWE because he sells tickets, gets ratings and is one of the best of all time.

He would sell for Jericho and vice versa.

Sheamus

The thought of Sheamus and CM Punk is exciting.

Maybe not as exciting as Punk and John Cena last year, but it has the makings of a very good rivalry. I say rivalry because the angle will bring out the best in both men.

Punk will sell for the Celtic Warrior. Sheamus will push Punk. And as faces in the company, it will be good to see them battle for the pride of the WWE.

Of course, Sheamus must pick Punk as his opponent first.