The Rock vs. CM Punk: Last Minute Predictions for WWE Championship Match

The Rock vs. CM Punk may not end up main eventing tonight's Royal Rumble, the WWE's first pay-per-view event of 2013, but it's going to steal the show.

While the 30-man over-the-top battle royale is surely the signature event of the card, the return of The People's Champion to the WWE Championship Division is the biggest story of this one.

If The Great One ends the lengthy title run of Punk, he will recapture the title for the first time since 2002. That's an incredible gap for one of the promotion's biggest ever draws.

Setting up a Wrestlemania 29 main event that features him in his first title defense, against the winner of the Royal Rumble, would be pure gold for the company.

That’s especially true with the possibility of a clash against John Cena or a rising superstar like Ryback hanging in the balance.

But how is the match going to go down and is it already a lock for The Rock to end Punk’s reign?

Don’t expect interference from The Shield, or anyone else for that matter, in this one. Vince McMahon has put safeguards in place in order to keep the title match pure. He added a stipulation that would strip Punk of his title if The Shield were to interfere in the title match.

The match itself also goes above and beyond the need for outside interference. If you can’t get excited about watching two of these greats battle it out, nothing at all will pump you up in the sport.

With both of these two in the ring, it’s hard to say who carries the advantage. Both are tough-as-nails competitors that have the right amount of flair and efficiency to either technically outsmart or physically put their opponent out for the count.

From a business standpoint, we’ve already noted the significance of the title changing hands. It makes sense that the company’s biggest star will carry the torch as the biggest champion during the upcoming two months of the road to Wrestlemania.

It makes sense, in every possible way, that The Rock will walk out of Royal Rumble with the WWE Championship back around his waist.

Expect a well-fought match with several highs and lows but plenty of drama and anticipation. Multiple pin fall attempts for both superstars will end after The Rock will score a surprise Rock Bottom on the champ that puts him out for the count.