WWE: WrestleMania 28: What Happens If Chris Jericho Loses to CM Punk?

We have spent a lot of time discussing and contemplating the after effects of WrestleMania on many of our favorite wrestlers, John Cena in particular.

But what happens to Chris Jericho after WrestleMania, especially if he does not beat CM Punk for the WWE Title?

Jericho’s timing and appearance on Raw was done so with precision so that he could face Punk at the April event. And with the recent barrage of video that has “effected” Punk because of his personal life being exposed on camera (like we did not already know this), it makes the match this weekend even bigger and better.

But what happens if Jericho does not win the title? 

If you look at both Punk and Jericho, the two are similar in their ability and acumen and the vignettes have been better than Rock/Cena, or at times Undertaker/HHH/HBK. Two guys similar in size, ability and demeanor.

And both hungry for the title.

This is one case where I think Jericho wins the title, but if Punk does, it helps his career just as much. But judging by the way both have talked to each other, the win seems to be bigger for Jericho, the part-time wrestler who may leave again at some point in 2012. And that cannot be good for the WWE unless someone like a Punk recaptures the gold, or John Cena jumps into the fray, or The Miz changes his stripes and turns face and challenges him for the title.

A story in January on cagesideseats.com eluded to Jericho being like The Rock, stating he was “home” then leaving to film movies in Hollywood, while trying to maintain a wrestling schedule. While Jericho has been in the ring recently, his performances are not of the past. He looks a step slower and while his mic skills are still tremendous, if he does not pull this off on Sunday I could see him walking away from the WWE.

If he does stay, then who challenges him? Obviously, Punk would be in line. Maybe John Cena. Maybe a Dolph Ziggler. But who comes to mind after that? Who can pull it off? I'd like to see a Kofi Kingston come on and take the title or maybe someone from Smackdown if they are drafted to Raw.

Could Christian turn face and challenge Jericho? That would be epic.

But for now, with less than 60 hours until WrestleMania, it is a question that has to be asked. The Rock will leave after the match; win, lose or draw. Can the same be said for Jericho if he can not prove to be the best of all time?