Royal Rumble 2012: CM Punk Will Remind the World Why He's Champion

CM Punk has taken a backseat to John Cena and Kane in recent weeks, but at Royal Rumble 2012 he'll remind everyone why he's still champion.

Punk's title match versus Dolph Ziggler should be spectacular. They're both top ring performers who can liven up the crowd with the best of them. This certainly won't be easy for Punk, but there is one thing that will propel him to a title defense: his looming matchup with Chris Jericho at Wrestlemania 28.

You have to believe that Punk's matchup with Jericho would be for the title. It's just too enticing a matchup, especially because I think Jericho will make the final four at Royal Rumble. A win for Punk against Ziggler would create a sizzling showdown with Jericho, a showdown I can't see being a disappointment.

I do have concerns that having Laurinaitis as the referee will cause problems for Punk. It's certainly not out of the realm of possibility that Punk will be the victim of foul play. And if it wasn't for Punk's matchup with Jericho down the line, I would give the title match to Ziggler.

But when you have powerful performers like Punk and Jericho, you have to believe they're destined to meet on a big stage where their theatrics could explode on a grand scale.

I also don't think it's a coincidence that Cena and Kane have been highlighted in recent weeks. It provides the opportunity for the WWE to go back and forth and be unpredictable, which is something it undoubtedly thrives on these days. When I think "WWE" lately, I think "musical chairs."

That being said, the WWE still recognizes its stars, even if it plays with them from time to time. Punk is a star, as he's proven, and there's no way the WWE is going to put him on the back burner.

Punk and Ziggler will go back and forth in Royal Rumble 2012, and Laurinaitis will provide some theatrics, but Punk will prove he's still a star and still a champion when all is said and done.