WWE Night of Champions 2013: Smart Predictions for CM Punk vs. Curtis Axel

CM Punk is seeking revenge against Curtis Axel and, more specifically, his advocate Paul Heyman at the upcoming WWE Night of Champions pay-per-view on September 15.  The Intercontinental champion Axel will be teaming with Heyman against Punk as this one is a two-on-one handicap match.  

This showdown is of course the result of heat between Punk and Heyman that goes back to Money in the Bank, when Paul betrayed his best friend.  Punk was mere moments from pulling down the red briefcase when Heyman stopped him, slamming a steel ladder into his head.

Since that time, Punk has faced off against both of Heyman's clients.  He lost the match to Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam and has had his hands full with Axel.  And every time it seems as though he may finally get his hands on Paul, he is stopped dead in his tracks.

But Heyman's time may very well be running out.  He will be in a sanctioned match across the ring from the man who wants to tear him apart.  There will be no getting away this time.  So what can we expect from this match?

Axel will step up

From the moment that Curtis Axel was introduced as Paul Heyman's newest client, the fans have been watching.  Many of them were happy for Axel. They felt as though he was finally being given a legitimate opportunity at success in the company.

He has the pedigree.  As the son of Mr. Perfect Curt Hennig and the grandson of Larry the Ax Hennig, Curtis has a rich family history in the industry.  Pro wrestling is in his blood and combined with the fact that he is also a good worker, many fans believe he is the best choice for the spotlight under Heyman.

And as for Axel's critics, they are watching as well.  

Axel is expected to step up his game with his new place in WWE.  And in many ways, he has done just that so far.  In previous matches with Punk, Axel has held his own and has looked very good doing it.  He is a viable talent, a man who could get the pin on any given night and the crowd would likely not object.

As the only thing standing between Heyman and Punk, Axel will be expected to hold up his end of the deal and protect his advocate.  Again, the fans are watching, and I believe that Axel will step up his game on the worldwide stage.

Punk will deliver 

One of the reasons Axel will look good at Night of Champions is because of the man he's stepping into the ring with.  

CM Punk is arguably the best worker in WWE.  Every match he's in has the potential to be an instant classic, and everyone he gets into the ring with will likely look very good in the process.  This should be no different for Curtis Axel, as Punk will surely give him more than enough to look strong in the match.

He did it with John Cena, Undertaker, Chris Jericho and Brock Lesnar.  CM Punk knows how to do business and he does it very well.

Of course, Axel's WWE career is admittedly not on par with that of those future Hall of Fame Superstars. But it doesn't have to be.  Again, he is talented in the ring and has proven that he is capable of putting on a good match anytime he laces up the boots.

But it will likely be thanks to Punk's work that this match will succeed.  It will also be at least part of the reason why Axel will look like the winner that only Paul Heyman would choose to receive his guidance. CM Punk is a veteran in WWE and as such, he can certainly give back whenever he works with the younger talent.  He can help Axel improve in the ring just by doing what he does whenever the bell rings.

Punk will go to work and put on a great match.  He will deliver.

Heyman has a plan

From a distance, it looks as though this is it for Heyman.  He's the dead man walking, on his way to facing his fate at the hands of Punk.  Paul's nervous, he's worried and he's beside himself with fear.

Paul knows what Punk can do in the ring.  He has supported Punk from the beginning, he has seen him evolve and grow into the worker that he is now.  He knows how dangerous Punk is and just how far he will go to get what he wants.

And Punk wants revenge.  He wants it in the worst way.  He will do anything to get it and will not stop until Heyman is flat on his back unconscious.  The fans know this, and they want to see Punk make it happen.  Paul knows this, and he wants nothing to do with it.

And that's why I believe Heyman has a plan.

This is the evil genius we're talking about here, the mastermind behind ECW.  He is accustomed to being second-guessed, underestimated and backed into a corner.  He knows what it's like to be outnumbered and outgunned.  He understands that no one expects him to get out of this.

Which is why he likely will.  There is no way that Heyman would go through with this match unless he had something at his disposal, a plan B that he could fall back on to escape danger.  He has a way out, an ace up his sleeve to prevent Punk from getting what he wants in this match.

Whether it's Brock Lesnar, a crooked referee, Brad Maddox or perhaps even a swerve involving Triple H, I think that Paul will find a way to get out of this.  He will be mere seconds from getting attacked by Punk when suddenly, the plan will be revealed.  The evil genius will strike, and Punk's thirst for revenge will not be quenched.  Not on this night.

CM Punk will be facing Curtis Axel and his advocate Paul Heyman in a two-on-one handicap match at WWE's Night of Champions on September 15.  While the outcome of this one is still unknown, I believe there are some certainties that we can bank on going into the pay-per-view.

The Best in the World versus the third-generation star with the evil genius in a storyline based on betrayal and revenge?  Count me in.