CM Punk vs. Ryback: Epic Match Gives WWE Opportunity to Make Ryback a Superstar

Sometimes in the WWE, all it takes is one moment to turn an under-the-radar performer who's been languishing in the midcard into a full-blown megastar.

Obviously, the most recent example of that phenomenon was CM Punk, who went from a beloved performer among hardcore wrestling fans into perhaps the company's biggest name in 2011.

Well, with a matchup for the WWE Championship against Ryback in store at Sunday's Hell in a Cell pay-per-view, Punk has an opportunity to return the favor for his up-and-coming opponent.

Right now, there may be no hotter name in the entire company than Ryback. Undefeated in his relatively short time in the company, the Corn-Fed Meathead is perhaps the most physically imposing force in the WWE. 

What's more, he's a favorite of Vince McMahon and the rest of the development team, going from a NXT performer to headliner in a mere two years.

Granted, Ryback's presence in Sunday's main event is mostly due to John Cena's injured elbow not healing in time. Otherwise, we'd be in for the 5,000th variation of Cena vs. Punk, which seemingly would have been put on to hold fans over for the champion's match against The Rock at the Royal Rumble in January.

That means it's almost certainly not in the cards for Ryback to upset Punk on Sunday and get his first taste of championship gold.

Nonetheless, most wrestling fans know Ryback does not even have to win in Sunday's match to enter into another stratosphere of stardom.

All that needs to happen is for Ryback to physically dominate Punk (as he should) and for Punk to play along. 

Luckily for fans, Punk undoubtedly has the in-ring skills to put nearly any wrestler over in the company. We've seen him in epic clashes with John Cena over the past year-and-a-half, and there may be no better wrestler in the business of being a salesman, both in and out of the ring. 

However, there is one major caveat: Someone must interfere and cause Ryback to lose Sunday's match. Whether the match winds up being Brock Lesnar's return or sees the Big Show get involved, some outside force has to be involved. 

An interference does a cavalcade of things. First and foremost, it allows Ryback to keep his sense of invincibility with the fans and sets up a secondary rivalry.

More importantly, though, it keeps Punk as both a major heel and champion heading into Survivor Series. 

Either way, the WWE has an opportunity to cement Ryback as one of the biggest faces in the company. We'll just have to find out whether they're ready to take the necessary steps to make it happen.

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