CM Punk vs. The Rock and 5 WWE Dream Matches That May Still Happen

WWE champion CM Punk is currently on the shelf with a knee injury, making a January showdown with The Rock a near-guarantee.  Punk's injury isn't considered too serious. 

He has more than a full month to fully heal by The Royal Rumble, where Rock has already been announced as one-half of the WWE Championship match.  Punk is being kept on television, and his manager Paul Heyman continued to taunt The Rock Monday on RAW. 

To further fuel Punk-Rock conspiracy theories, Punk is slated to host USA's showing of The Game Plan, featuring The Rock.  An in-character Punk will likely continue his verbal onslaught against The Rock during this gig. 

In addition to CM Punk vs. The Rock, the WWE has a small handful of potential dream matches that could come to fruition. 

Hopefully, the WWE learned its lesson from Manny Pacquiao's most recent knockout.  Pac-Man's loss to Juan Manuel Marquez sullied any blockbuster appeal of a superfight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather. 

Many of the WWE's potential dream matches could happen within the next year.  Should the WWE pussyfoot around these matches—just as Pacquiao and Mayweather did—the money and pay-per-view buys burned would be maddening. 

Dream matches to be discussed will all involve at least one part-time or retired former WWE champion.  The matches will be ranked based on their likelihood of happening based on outside careers and WWE contract status. 

5. Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H

Shawn Michaels and Triple H's careers have been intertwined over the past two WrestleManias.  HBK was brought in to help with Taker-Triple H WrestleMania hype at both WrestleMania XXVII and WrestleMania XVIII.

It's no secret that Triple H's career is winding down.  He is 43 years old and has gradually assimilated into the WWE corporate world.  Haircut and all.  A match against his best friend on wrestling's grand stage would be a perfect ending. 

Shawn Michaels retired following WrestleMania XXVI, and seems at peace with life after wrestling.  Michaels' dedication to retirement harms the likelihood of this match.  However if Triple H asked Michaels to come out of retirement for one match as a favor, Mr. WrestleMania may be interested. 

4. Brock Lesnar vs. the Undertaker

Brock Lesnar is still under contract with the WWE.  The Undertaker has had a reduced role over the past few years, wrestling primarily at WrestleMania over the past two years. 

With The Undertaker reportedly noncommittal about his WrestleMania status this year, a dream match with anyone—let alone Brock Lesnar—is up in the air.  

A Lesnar-Taker match would play off the confrontational exchange the two shared back at UFC 121.  At the time, some viewed this as an elaborate work, possibly leading to a WWE match between the box-office draws.  

3. CM Punk vs. Steve Austin

CM Punk and Steve Austin have shared a few moments together.  Their most recent pairing came during an interview with GameStop promoting WWE '13.  Punk, and Heyman also continue to mention Austin sporadically in promos.  These occurrences could be a foreshadowing of sorts for a hot main event match. 

The WWE has even brandished polls on their website, asking fans to pick a winner of the hypothetical clash. 

Austin is currently enjoying the success of outside projects such as Redneck Island, but he appears open to the idea of wrestling one more match.  In a recent interview with B/R featured columnist and Baltimore Sun blogger Arda Ocal, he said he would be ready to wrestle "if the opportunity presented itself."

2. Brock Lesnar vs. the Rock

Both of these superstars are currently under contract to perform with the WWE.  The WWE signed Lesnar to a limited dates deal, and The Rock has already been announced to appear at The Royal Rumble.   

With WrestleMania just a few months away, the WWE may be inclined to tweak the main event to accommodate a Rock-Brock blockbuster. 

1. CM Punk vs. the Rock

This match has not yet been made official, but CM Punk vs. The Rock at The Royal Rumble is a foregone conclusion. CM Punk is not expected to compete leading up to Royal Rumble as he heals from knee injury. 

Punk and Rock continue to go back and forth on both social media and in promos.  The duo have never faced off before, further adding to the appeal of a pay-per-view match between the two future Hall of Famers. 

Follow @ThisIsNasty