Will CM Punk Keep the WWE Championship for a Full Year?

CM Punk has been WWE Champion since Survivor Series 2011 and has a legitimate chance of keeping it for an entire year. 

Could WWE be taking us back to the days of mammoth title reigns?

In an era of high championship turnover, Punk's lengthy reign is unheard of. To find a WWE champ who lasted a full 365 days, one has to go back to 2006 after John Cena took the belt from Edge at that year's Royal Rumble. 

Before that, fans have to dig deep into their memory banks to recall Randy Savage holding the title for 371 days, from 1988 to 1989. 

Major titles changing hands is exciting. It's a story that writes itself.

It's understandable that the WWE has relied on the thrill of new champions.   

Should the company maintain its patience, trusting Punk to remain on top for even longer will pay off tremendously. When the day comes that another wrestlers beats him, it will mean so much more than it would after a 30-day rental of the title, which we see so often. 

Keeping Punk champ elevates his status as well as the prestige of the championship. 

As Michael Cole has already done to a lesser degree, WWE can begin to compare Punk's reign to some of the greatest of all time, putting his name among the pantheon of icons that is Steve Austin, Bob Backlund, Hulk Hogan and Bruno Sammartino. 

The following are the biggest obstacles to Punk's becoming the next WWE champ to make it a full year on top.   

WWE Getting Antsy

Several times in the last year, the WWE has considered putting the gold around someone else's waist.

According to F4WOnline (via Wrestlinginc.com), the WWE reportedly considered having Daniel Bryan beat Punk at both No Way Out and Over the Limit.

With every pay-per-view that approaches, the creative team is going to at least give some thought to what crowning a new champ would do for the company. 

Each new challenger offers a chance to thrill the crowd with the words, "And the new WWE champion..." 

Having Punk remain champion for another three months is going to take patience and faith, something Vince McMahon and his brain trust are not famous for.    

Injury

One of the reasons the WWE shies away from long-term planning is the unpredictability of the sport.

Wrestlers can have muscles tear or bones snap on any given night. 

A bad spill, a botch by Punk or his opponent, or just a freak occurrence could end his reign in an instant. If the WWE is concocting a long-term plan for Punk, there has to be a contingency plan at the ready. 

Sure, fans would love to see CM Punk vs. The Rock at Royal Rumble 2013, but not if it means one guy limping around and holding back because he's hurt. 

John Cena

Despite CM Punk being WWE Champion, despite his successes and his skills, John Cena has remained the face of the franchise. 

Cena represents financial security for the WWE. 

Even if a portion of the fans find it boring and repetitive to see Cena as WWE Champion, McMahon has to be thinking about putting the title back on his golden boy. Punk may be gaining a following, but he's got nothing on the Cenation as of now.

If ratings dip too low, if attendance wanes, there is always the temptation to return to a proven commodity in Cena.

Seeing that the WWE has stuck with Punk this long and pasted his face on the cover of the WWE 13 video game, the company certainly has faith in him. But if there should be enough wariness floating around the planning table, Cena could find himself getting his 11th WWE title run.

Should Punk make it through his Night of Champions battle with Cena, he could be well on his way to an impressive, historic, year-long reign.