CM Punk Turns Heel After Retaining Title vs. John Cena

The WWE title match between John Cena and CM Punk was expected to generate fireworks worthy of Raw 1,000's grand finale. It took the length of the match, but the night's decisive moment didn't fail to deliver.

Cena and Punk battled back and forth for several minutes with neither fighter gaining a clear-cut advantage. It wasn't panning out to be the monumental match WWE fans wanted to see, but that would change soon enough.

Name the last time a WWE official was knocked out and something exciting didn't happen. I dare you. That's what I thought; you can't do it. Monday night's action didn't change that fact. 

With the official lying prone outside of the ring, The Big Show decided to make his grand appearance. Cena and Punk were both dazed, and the opportunity was right to generate some excitement from this disappointing final match. 

The Big Show's appearance set off an action-packed chain reaction. He delivered a knockout blow to Cena before disappearing again. Punk attempted to cover. Cena kicked out and eventually locked Punk into his signature STFU leg lock.

Just when we thought it was over, The Big Show appeared again and kept Punk from tapping out by throwing his massive body on top of Cena. The referee, now recovered, called the match on disqualification. Punk retained his title because of the outcome, but Cena was technically awarded the victory.

It's over now, right? Wrong. 

The Rock decided to make his second appearance of the night, charged down the runway and laid the The Big Show out in the center of the ring.

Before he could deliver his patented People's Elbow, Punk ruined his night with a flying clothesline. Punk, then, put Rock to sleep with his trademark finisher and officially turned heel as fast as anyone I can remember.

Punk was obviously supposed to make a statement. The Rock had announced earlier in the night that he had earned a title shot at January's Royal Rumble. The two most logical choices to face him are Cena and Punk. The WWE's choice to have Punk turn heel, and lay Rock out in one fell swoop, adds momentum to any notion that The Rock's Royal Rumble opponent will be Punk.

The groundwork has been laid. WWE desperately needed a new storyline to follow, and Punk's new role provides that. It also provides excellent buildup for what should be the most anticipated match of the year.

Punk's heel turn was definitely surprising. I didn't anticipate The Rock's reappearance, but the WWE made an excellent choice for the conclusion of Raw 1,000. The night had its flaws (no Stone Cold?), but this made up for some of that.

WWE superstars turn heel every so often. It's a necessary cycle to the "good guy vs. bad guy" scenario that runs the WWE, but we don't always expect it. Sometimes, the timing is wrong or the reasons for doing it don't make sense.

Turning heel in this case couldn't be better. Punk's storyline stays fresh, and it gets the ball rolling for what should be a riveting six-month buildup to The Rock's Royal Rumble title shot.