2012 Royal Rumble: What CM Punk's Victory over Dolph Ziggler Means to WWE

As soon as the Royal Rumble pay-per-view started, I already knew I would not like the match between CM Punk and Dolph Ziggler. Too much drama, too much interference in what should have been a solid match and too much "what if" in the back of my mind for the evening.

I was partially right.

While Punk won the match and retained the title, it was not the grade-A match that both Punk and Ziggler could have produced like they had in the past.

What does this mean for the future of the WWE and Raw? Most likely changes are coming.

Tomorrow night, John Laurinaitis will have his evaluation by COO Triple H on Raw. While Johnny Ace did the "right" thing and had a "real" referee call the WWE championship match, I suspect the intentions of Laurinaitis was to actually interfere in the three-count when Punk retained the title. But the referee saw him enter the ring and the "EVP of Talent Relations" went along with the three-count.

There is still shadiness in the WWE right now, and while Punk holds the title and the cards, Laurinaitis wants to ruin the deck.

Punk is the best in the business right now, but he is better when he is angry or feels he has been wronged. Winning the title is great for him, but he is better at his "game" when he is chasing the title, not holding on to it.

Punk needs to drop the title to be more viable as the free spirit and free talker he is. Fans will agree he is more entertaining when he has something to prove. Just like Steve Austin, his game is better when he is on the attack, not controlling the game.

The win also proves a few things about Punk and his upcoming opponents. Ziggler may not be ready in the eyes of WWE creative. He may have to wait. Sheamus most likely will choose Punk if he is still champion at WrestleMania 28 as his opponent. There may be a battle looming between Chris Jericho and "The Best in the World," or maybe The Miz jumps back into the picture after his performance in the Royal Rumble.

Quite honestly, nothing can be said about anything until tomorrow night when we see what fate lies ahead for Laurinaitis and possibly Punk. And because it is obvious the times are changing, don't be surprised if Triple H gets in the ring and sides with Johnny Ace and throws a curve ball into the plans for Raw.

It makes sense since there is no Alberto Del Rio right now, and stars like Wade Barrett and Randy Orton are at odds on SmackDown, and John Cena and Kane are still at war on Raw. Dolph Ziggler, Jericho, Sheamus and to a lesser extent, Jack Swagger, are the only viable opponents for Punk right now. That quartet is fine and dandy, but Miz and R-Truth should be added to that list as well.

Then we can see where Punk goes from here and if anything was truly resolved from a title match that may have been lacking a true championship quality.