WWE Royal Rumble 2012 Results: Why CM Punk Should Not Have Won

Although I hate admitting this, the wrong person won the WWE title the other night at the Royal Rumble.

While in my mind CM Punk is a better champion than an up-and-coming Dolph Zigger (right now), the fact Punk still has the gold around his waist (or shoulder) was a mistake that WWE brass got wrong. Having Ziggler win the title is a more compelling reason for Punk to be as ornery as ever, especially in the wake of an attack by Chris Jericho on Raw Monday night.

Let's back up a bit and I will explain my reasoning.

Punk needs to have the belt around his waist if Jericho is going to take it from him at Elimination Chamber, which I suspect can happen in 19 days. Then we can see a great feud between two of the most charismatic wrestlers in the business.

But let's be honest here; an angry Punk is a better Punk. Better on the mic. Better in the ring. Better at delivering a solid promo, a solid shot to the body and a solid match in general. Like in any "sport" being the chaser is better than being chased.

It has also been my opinion that in wrestling the person chasing the champion is better in the angle than the one who has to hold on to the title.

Punk's famous shoot interview was done while he was chasing John Cena. His improved ring work occurred when Alberto Del Rio won the title at Summer Slam when he cashed in his MITB ticket. Punk effectively went on the war path, chasing Del Rio and Kevin Nash at the same time.

Having Ziggler as champion does a few things the creative team did not cash in on. First, it would have put Punk in the Royal Rumble with a chance to still be in the main event at WrestleMania XXVIII. It also meant Vickie Guerrero would have had both the WWE champion and the United States champion in the same stable, which could lead to dysfunction.

There are so many ways this match could have gone and we haven't scratched the surface of John Laurinaitis and the two referee three-count.

That is for another article. But for now, Punk is the champion. Until it is decided it is time Jericho needs a solid run.