WWE No Way Out 2012: CM Punk Clearly the Face of WWE After Yet Another PPV Win

The WWE universe is an ever-evolving world, and right now, one man stands out from the rest as the top dog.

CM Punk has been the WWE Champion since back in November, and he has destroyed virtually every other superstar in his way. Dispatching Daniel Bryan and Kane at No Way Out was just the latest reminder.

He has demolished the likes of Dolph Ziggler, Kane, Mark Henry, Bryan, Chris Jericho and, Alberto Del Rio in his reign as champ. He has now held the WWE Championship belt for over 200 days.

It’s one of the longest reigns that WWE has ever seen, and it’s been one heck of a ride. The “straight edge” movement seems to really have some staying power, which is a good thing considering how many kids watch the show. He is one of the better role models for the young demographic—something WWE is so desperate to capture and mold into a member of their universe.

But he is able to also walk the tight rope with older fans by being the outspoken rebel who dislikes authority figures like John Laurinaitis. Nobody cracks more jokes and displays more personality and sarcasm.

He appeared on the Jimmy Fallon Show Monday night, where he spoke to an entirely different audience. Punk has also been on the ESPN campus in the past promoting. And he currently has just under one million Twitter followers who will grasp onto one of his kooky tweets and make it trend worldwide.  

He has obtained crossover appeal. He never takes a week off and is clearly the biggest star that shows up each and every Monday night.

I know what you’re thinking...what about John Cena?

There is no doubt that he still moves the needle on PPV events and is the big salesman of the sport. Yet he has become nothing more than a sideshow.

Cena is never in contention for a belt of any sort. He's almost like the cartoonish figure that is only there for gimmick matches, like The Rock at WrestleMania or the Steel Cage Match against Big Show to ensure Laurinaitis got fired at No Way Out.

Cena doesn’t appear on every Monday Night Raw. He doesn’t have a storyline that resonates each and every week. He doesn’t have wacky Divas like AJ prancing around drooling over him. He isn’t as plugged in on a daily basis as Punk is.

With a new generation of WWE fans emerging, Punk is the wrestler that people see maneuvering the ropes. Punk is the star on the mic. Punk is the guy they see outside of the ring.

Step aside, Cena. Punk is the king of the WWE universe. 

Follow Eric Ball on Twitter.