Chris Jericho at Royal Rumble 2012: The End of the World as We Know It?

After weeks of keeping us waiting, this Monday Chris Jericho finally spoke his first words since his re-debut on January 2nd.

However, he didn't offer us a long-winded promo explaining why he'd left it three weeks before talking, nor did he tell us what the cryptic vignettes prior to his return meant.

All he said was, "This Sunday at the Royal Rumble, it will be the end of the world as you know it."

This single sentence echoed the recurring line from the vignettes prior to his return, raising the question: Are we about to get some answers?

So how is the "end of the world as we know it" going to begin? Let's take a look at the possible routes that the WWE creative team could take at the Rumble.

Jericho Wins the Rumble, Challenges for the WWE Title

The obvious answer is that Jericho was speculating his chances of winning the Royal Rumble match, which he would use to slingshot him into the Road to Wrestlemania feud with CM Punk, which everyone has been begging for.

"Best in the World" vs. "Best in the World at What He Does"—it's almost like WWE had this planned for months, all the way back to CM Punk's shoot promo when he said that he was the best in the world.

But is this a bit too obvious? The WWE loves nothing better than to throw a spanner in the works.

Jericho Wins the Rumble, Challenges for the World Heavyweight Title

OK, imagine Jericho comes out on next week's Monday Night Raw, ready to give his victory promo, ready to declare his war on CM Punk and his WWE Title and then he U-turns.

Jericho explains to the WWE Universe that his long term plans are to unify the two titles, so his first port of call is to win the WHC before eventually taking on CM Punk.

But this would indicate he sees the WHC as a smaller threat than CM Punk and draw some heat because he is putting off the match that the WWE Universe wants to see.

This route would be unlikely, but I definitely wouldn't discount it.

Jericho Turns Up to the Rumble Match, But Doesn't Enter

It seems he's got out of his phase of just leaving without doing anything now, but let's be honest, it's a possibility.

Jericho interferes in the WWE Title match

It's been well documented among the International Wrestling Cartel (IWC) for months that Jericho is set for a feud with CM Punk, so what better way to kick it off than for Jericho to interfere in the champ's title match?

But which way would he go? Would he help Ziggler win the title to embarrass CM Punk? Or would he help out CM Punk to make sure that it would be the Second City Savior himself who Jericho challenges for the title?

Jericho Embarks on His Quest to Bring Back the Undisputed WWE Title

Right, this one is a ridiculous long shot, I know, but bear with me.

During the opening match of the night, Daniel Bryan retains his WHC belt. However, during his unnecessarily long celebration he is ambushed by Jericho who takes the WHC with him. Later in the evening, whoever wins between Ziggler and CM Punk gets the same treatment.

Fast forward to Raw, where Jericho is advertised to do a promo during the show, in which he turns up with the WWE Undisputed title—none of the other titles in sight. He puts on a great promo explaining that he doesn't think it's necessary to have a champion on each brand, especially when he is obviously the best in the world.

Bryan, CM Punk, Big Show, Mark Henry and Ziggler are all obviously aggrieved by the whole situation and it leads to a sick Elimination Chamber main event between these five and Jericho.

You're right, that does sound far fetched. However, I am certain that we'll be hearing, if not seeing something of the Undisputed Title somewhere in the near future, especially because it was included in the montage Jericho showed on Monday night.

So what do you think Jericho will do at the Rumble? Will we finally get some answers for the months and months of build up to his return? Get your opinions heard in the comments section.

And I'd also love to hear a few "fantasy" booking ideas as to where Creative may take Jericho from the Rumble.