WWE SummerSlam 2012: Why CM Punk Will Retain the WWE Title

Somehow, some way, the world of wrestling never seems to rest until CM Punk says so.

If last year's shoot promo and subsequent rise in the WWE hierarchy wasn't enough, sending the wrestling world on its ear, leave it to the current WWE champion to shock the world by changing his character once again, playing the respect card when it comes to how he is perceived by the management and WWE Universe.

But with SummerSlam on the horizon this coming Sunday, it will be Punk who is again thrust into the spotlight and the main event as he battles Big Show and John Cena to retain the title that has been his over the last eight months.

Seems like old times, doesn't it?

But all is not lost on the change in Punk's behavior, in fact, the WWE star was pretty much a title-holder without a true defined role.

While superstars like John Cena and Big Show were stealing camera time and the WWE fanbase interested in what was happening with Brock Lesnar and his match with Triple H, Punk still appeared to be a mid-card champion. And that is with a great program just completed with Daniel Bryan.

But if we think Punk will just drop his title now, with all the changes that have taken place over the last 24 days, then there would be no purpose to the sudden alteration in his character.

Punk is a maestro in terms of generating drama. Every word, every movement, every comment; they are all designed to make a statement. Punk has never been short on the ability to change direction, change perception or to keep the WWE and its fans hostage. And losing the WWE Championship right now would do more harm than good.

Big Show, although this may be his best showing in years as a viable championship contender, is not a long-term solution as a title-holder.

John Cena is a viable option, but having him as champion will likely spark a negative reaction from the WWE Universe and IWC. Cena has accomplished so much so fast, and is not as good a worker as Punk, who, along with Bryan, may be the best the WWE have to offer.

This is not a comment on Cena in any way. This story is a focus on the current champion.

But taking the title away from Punk in light of Raw 1000 and him GTSing The Rock, as well as the fact Cena became the first MITB winner to lose in his cash-in match would be more of a detriment than a help.

The fact the champion doesn't do as well in these three-way dances, as Cena so graciously pointed out last week on Raw, should not mean as much this time around.

If all things are equal, and they usually are not, Punk should win and retain the title on the mere fact this is a title defense that could lead to a series with Cena or even something to do with The Rock responding to being put down by Punk on Raw 1000.

The fact eight months have passed and Punk is still the champion tells you more than anything.

Punk will retain the title and then the WWE can decide what it wants to do to challenge the disgruntled champion.