WWE: CM Punk, John Cena and a Tale of Two Titles

 "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us..."

—The opening of A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

Book One: The Revolution Is Called to Life

The city was alive, the city was anxious, the city was vibrating, the city was waiting, the city was nervous...the city was Chicago.

You can feel the excitement pulsing through the crowd as they stand together chanting one name:

CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk!

The violent guitar riff echoes through the masses. The scream of a new dawn rages through the sea of people. Their hometown savior has come.

The crowd of people has now transformed into a mob—louder, angrier, the excitement reaching its crescendo. They watch as Punk methodically makes his way down to the altar, where he will sacrifice everything he has to save these people from a darkness that looms like a vulture of impending doom.

The darkness is not of an evil nature, but a man that has seen his time come and go. He is a true and current champion that has stood the test of time, carried the banner of a dying brand proudly, but has worn the crown multiple times, and has laughed at those who attempt to dethrone him. He is not selfish, stubborn, greedy or maniacal, but a kind-hearted, hard-working patriot who has given all of himself to a just cause for nearly a decade.

But the time for change has come. The people have grown tired of their champion, bored by the stability, direction and the inescapability of it all. They seek the one who will usher in a new age—a new age of hope, brighter pastures, new direction and focus.

Change is brought about by revolution and this Punk has taken it upon himself to answer the calls of the voiceless, the whispers of the mainstream and the screams of the underground. He has vowed to steal the kingdom's richest prize from its champion, bringing much-needed chaos and disorder.

As CM Punk sits, legs crossed, within the confines of the altar, he waits. A revolution is near, but the darkness has arrived.

The darkness has a name, and its name is John Cena.

The champion, who has always been revered in the highest light, is now welcomed to a chorus of boos, his fist grasping his Golden Title. He walks tall, proud and gracefully past the mob, but he walks quickly.

And for a moment, time, space and the problems of the everyday real world do not exist. This man's pride, passion, hustle, loyalty and respect are all that stand in the way of Punk, the mob and its revolution. This is the only thing that matters now.

The two men square off in an epic encounter while the mob hangs onto every twist, turn and pull the two men engage in. Punk is on the ropes, dazed and entangled in Cena's submission device—the revolution looks lost. The crowd is screaming for the savior to rise again. The champion is moments away from victory, thus ending the chants for change and the screams for a better kingdom. The champion looks like he will prevail once again.

However, with every champion there is a king that oversees him, and the king has now come to see his champion destroy the upstart revolution. Vince McMahon has come to see stability and peace returned to his WWE kingdom, but he is not without an agenda. He has other intentions for both Punk and his champion Cena. He will end this his way and on his terms.

Vincent K. McMahon has long been the ruler of the WWE. He is selfish, condescending, greedy and maniacal; he is everything his champion is not. McMahon is on record of voicing his lack of faith in his champion Cena. He feels that the task ahead of him is too overwhelming, and would rather dispose of Punk his way rather than put his kingdom's prized Golden Title on the line and allow his champion to do what he does best...fight.

As Cena locks Punk into what is surely going to make the savior vanquish once and for all, he suddenly releases his grip on Punk. Why?! McMahon has sent one of his hierarchies to end the fight before Punk has had a chance to quit, and Cena has taken exception to this ending. He will not allow himself to be remembered for this.

Cena quickly disposes of the crony with ease while shouting to the king that he will fight this fight on his own terms and not his. Pride, power and integrity ooze from his pores as the mob around him applaud his valor and spirit.

However, all of these words would be his ultimate downfall. While they have always respected this man, they now cheer for their savior who has risen to his feet again and meets Cena face to face once more. Within minutes, the surprised champion is pinned; the Golden Title has switched owners, and the revolution begins.

McMahon, the humbled king, is stunned, shocked and appalled. He chases after Punk who, with a devilishly blown kiss goodbye, disappears into the mob. He has not only answered the call of the voiceless, but made good on the vow he made to them. His followers will grow, they will cheer, they will chant and they will continue the revolution in his name while they await his return.

The time for change has finally come. This Punk has brought the once mighty kingdom of WWE to its knees. The world is watching.

Book Two: The Golden Title

Widespread joy has engulfed the patrons of the WWE universe over the events that transpired in the city of Chicago. Its Internet sites, television programs, magazines and record books all showcase the name of one man...CM Punk.

The king is not happy with the outcome and now seeks retribution in the form of vengeance upon his former champion, John Cena. Cena was warned—warned that in defeat he would see his days of high grace, welcoming open arms and reciprocal love ended. The doors to the kingdom would be closed to him for forever.

Cena knew this day was upon him. He had lost the kingdom's most valuable prize, its most valuable asset to a smaller rebel no less; he had lost the Golden Title.

As Cena marched down to face his music he took solace in the fact that a new champion would be elected to lead the kingdom he fought for, broke his body and mind for, and always loved. The universe would not be led by the self-exiled rebel Punk, but a friend of the former champion.

Earlier, Vince McMahon had summoned his other champions in training, telling them their day had finally come to rise up and lead his kingdom as the new champion. They would battle amongst themselves until only one man was left standing. This man would carry the torch, banner and new Golden Title that was now vacated from the departing Cena and exiled Punk.

This man, friend of Cena, would be Rey Mysterio.

Mysterio was a light-hearted, fast-moving, friendly, giving man who was beloved by children and adults alike who inhabited the WWE universe. His reign as champion and holder of the Golden Title would signify the change the people wanted, but there were still whispers and chants about a man many claimed to be the real champion...CM Punk.

Cena continued his march towards the king's lair until he was staring into the emperor's cold black eyes. He did not beg for his place in the kingdom back; he did not plead, grovel or whine. The pride, power and integrity he had shown as champion was shown in defeat. He did not place blame on others—only himself. He spoke his peace to the king; millions watched as their beloved Cena would be exiled from the universe for forever...

But fate is sometimes wrapped in irony...

Before McMahon could forever exile the once-proud, now-humbled champion, he was interrupted. He was interrupted by his second in command, his vice president, his closest confidant, his son-in-law—Triple H.

"You're not going to fire John Cena" he proclaimed.

He continued to tell McMahon that others within the hierarchies of the kingdom were beginning to question the king's leadership. After all, it was his doing that cost not only Cena, but the kingdom its richest prize. It was he who allowed the rebel Punk to successfully lead an underground revolution into the mainstream light on his watch. It was Vince McMahon who did not trust his renowned champion and decided underhanded tactics were better suited.

Triple H, with tears in his eyes, had come to relieve the king, his father, of his duties. The majority had spoken. An impeachment was made. A new regime would be ushered in along with Mysterio as its new champion.

Who would become the new king? It was to be Triple H. The King of Kings.

Cena happily ventured back into the open arms of the kingdom he thought he had lost. The doors closing behind him. Only fate would have it be McMahon who was the one on the outside looking in. Forever exiled from the kingdom he single-handedly built. He was left alone, his time done as ruler, but the name of Vince McMahon will echo in eternity.

Book Three: The Tale of Two Titles

As the new regime took its comforts within its new kingdom, something was clear. The former champion, Cena, deserved his rightful rematch for his Golden Title. All former champions were given the opportunity to reclaim their reign, but with Punk in hiding and nowhere to be seen, it was put upon the new champion, Mysterio, to oblige him. Mysterio was happy to oblige as it was the right thing to do. If the tables were reversed, he hoped the same courtesy would be extended to him.

The once-broken champion had his rematch for the glory and pride he had recently lost. The Golden Title would be on the line, and one of these two men would lead the new regime in all of its glory as they try and make the kingdom a better place.

...But the whispers and chants of "he who shall not be named" grew louder, stronger. The people wanted their real champion; they wanted their real Golden Title back. They wanted CM Punk!

Cena and Mysterio met within the confines of the 20-by-20 foot arena in which one of them would lead the kingdom into its new era—the era of Triple H.

The darkness that hovered over John Cena seemed to be lifted. He had proven to the doubters, self-proclaimed pundits and haters that he was in fact a worthy champion. He proved that he had what it took to lead the WWE away from what was once the boring, mundane, monotone and predictable nature of his previous reigns. He had gained a lot from that fateful night in Chicago. He wanted to be vindicated.

Mysterio would not go down without a fight. He had earned this Golden Title, and it was his first time as champion; surely he would not just hand it over to a friend who asked for it. Cena knew that, and Mysterio delivered everything he had at the former nine-time champion. After a half-hour of the two friends punishing each other, the referee counted to three and the bell was rung...

...John Cena was again champion in the WWE kingdom.

As the crowd cheered on their new champion and the former champion in Mysterio, confusion quickly set in. A song was heard—a song no one had heard before within the universe. The hymn was the battle song of the Punk's former kingdom.

Cena looked around in confusion, clutching onto his newly won "Golden Title." The champ looked perplexed until...

The rebel of the revolution had returned...

CM Punk appeared from the mist clutching his Golden Title. His return was triumphant and met with thundering applause. The real champion had returned. He stepped toe to toe with the newly crowned champion and raised his title high above his head. Cena did the same. The crowd was feverishly waiting in anticipation for the next move from both men...

...To be continued.