WWE Money in the Bank 2012: PPV Must Lead to Feud Between John Cena and CM Punk

The possible outcomes at Money in the Bank might seem pretty obvious to most wrestling fans, but regardless of that, it is integral that CM Punk comes away as WWE Champion and John Cena escapes with the WWE Championship contract so the WWE can get a much-needed boost in the form of a feud between them.

Punk and Cena engaged in a rivalry last year, and it resulted in fantastic matches at both Money in the Bank and SummerSlam. Some fans may not want to see a rehash of last year's feud, but it would be a bit different this time because, while Cena is still the unquestioned top face in the company, Punk has firmly established himself as No. 2.

It isn't often that you see the top two guys go at it, but since the WWE is stuck in a rut at the moment, a Punk vs. Cena feud may be just what the doctor ordered. Although the creative team could go the route of having Cena cash in his opportunity ahead of time and set up an actual match with Punk at SummerSlam rather than the usual ambush, I'm not sure I would want that.

Only Rob Van Dam has done that as he beat Cena for the WWE Championship at One Night Stand in 2006, but having Cena cash in the heel way would add a lot more heat to the feud. This would allow Punk to have another match with Daniel Bryan at SummerSlam, and it would also give fans the chance to see Cena vs. Chris Jericho.

The notion of Cena cashing in on a vulnerable Punk after he defeats Bryan in a hard-fought match is certainly interesting. Cena is always Mr. Nice Guy and never does anything controversial, so utilizing the contract in such a manner would prove that he can be ruthless, that he is willing to do anything to win the WWE Championship and that he isn't the choir boy everyone thinks he is.

There's a lot to consider in this particular scenario since Cena and Punk have a long history when it comes to Money in the Bank. Punk won twice and cashed in successfully twice, although Del Rio cashed in against him at last year's SummerSlam. Cena has never been in Money in the Bank prior to this year, but he has been the victim of a cash-in on two occasions and would like to exercise one in his own right.

No matter how the cash-in goes, I feel like it would be successful. If he wins, then Cena will be even more hated for ending Punk's lengthy reign. If Cena loses, though, it would make him the first ever person to cash in unsuccessfully, and that would add some depth to his character. Cena has suffered some tough losses, but this would probably top them all.

People get up in arms when Cena and heel turn are even mentioned in the same sentence, but if ever there were a perfect vehicle to start the process of a Cena heel turn, it would be him attempting to cash in on Punk. If he wins, then his tactics will be questioned, he will feud with Punk and the crowd will likely be pro-Punk.

If he loses, then it could send him into a fit of rage as that defeat would be added to his losses against The Rock and John Laurinaitis. Whatever the case, Cena needs a character tweak even if it isn't a full heel turn, and having him cash in against Punk would be an uncharacteristic move to say the least, but it would break up some of the monotony surrounding him at the moment.

The Punk vs. Cena feud ended somewhat abruptly last year, but it is a rivalry that every wrestling fan would take an interest in, so there is no reason why it wouldn't be successful this time around and provide a big boost to both combatants.

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