WWE Ruthless Rivalries: CM Punk's 5 Potential Feuds We'll Never Get to See

After a two-week hiatus, GSM has finally returned, Bleachers. Before I begin, I'd like to sincerely apologize for my absence, as personal issues have become an obstacle of writing here on Bleacher Report.

Nevertheless, the show must go on, and I make my triumphant return covering a recent controversial topic: the departure of the beloved CM Punk. Following a five year tenure with the company, the Second City Savior will take a leave from pro wrestling next Sunday at the Money in the Bank pay-per-view in his final contest against WWE Champion John Cena.

However, Punk isn't departing in a typical fashion, as he has promised to leave WWE with a bang, something that he certainly wasn't boasting about. His much-discussed rant promo that occurred two weeks ago at the conclusion of RAW has added even more prestige to his match with Cena next Sunday, adding to the fact that the Champ might find himself unemployed as well if he is unsuccessful per Mr. McMahon's orders.

Although it may seem like nothing to some viewers due to the numerous retirements occurring in the past few years, Punk, unlike some of the others, is still in his prime and arguably acquires the full package of what a WWE Superstar should be. He has a bright future ahead of him, so only one can hope he returns to the company in the near future after his much needed break.

With a brilliant heel such as Punk departing the RAW roster, it's disappointing to realize all the potential rivalries that weren't given enough time to occur during his tenure. As stated before, I surely hope the Straightedge Superstar returns to WWE sooner rather than later in order to see these anticipated feuds come to fruition.

Visit my Web site at Next Era Wrestling for more of GSM's writings, along with WWE/TNA news, recaps and more. Follow me on Twitter @SAVE_US_GSM.

5. Evan Bourne

Unlikely as it seems, CM Punk and Evan Bourne contain history with one another, not to mentioned their shared chemistry to provide a solid match within the ring. Their first bout can be dated back to the 2010 WWE Draft in April of last year, where the Straightedge Superstar defeated Bourne with help from the SES in the first match of the night, bringing Big Show to Friday Nights in the process.

Fast forward six months later, Punk is fresh off a trade to RAW in early October, making his re-debut for the brand in a match against Evan Bourne, where the winner would advance to Team RAW at that month's Bragging Rights pay-per-view. Punk emerged victorious, but wouldn't stop there, as he continued to assault Bourne following the contest with his vicious Anaconda Vise submission hold, rendering the high-flying Superstar inactive for nearly five months.

Upon his return, I hoped to see Bourne gain some vengeance against Punk or against the New Nexus as a whole, but no such luck. Even today, they have failed to cross paths and finish what these two started many months ago on that fateful Monday Night last October.

Unfortunately, their potential to put on a breath-taking match was cut short by a few minutes on both occasions they did meet in the ring. I'm hopeful that upon Punk's supposable return, Evan Bourne will already have moved up the card to make this a five-star contest.

4. Triple H

Upon CM Punk's trade to Monday Night RAW last October, numerous potential rivalries ran through my head that could finally come to fruition, including John Cena and Randy Orton. One feud I had desperately wanted to see was with no other than the Game himself, Triple H.

At the time, it was believed that HHH would be making his inevitable return to WWE that fall following his surgery last summer to feud with King Shaemus. However, creative began to delay his return much later than expected, eventually arriving on the February 21st episode of RAW a few months back.

Due to Triple H's purpose on television being only to feud with the Undertaker leading up to WrestleMania 27, the next night on RAW would be the last we've heard from the Game, making it obvious that he will no longer be a constant competitor. He has since returned to his backstage duties, where he looks make occasional appearances on television ever so often.

With CM Punk now leaving, it seems as if a possible match between them at WrestleMania 28 would be out of the question. They have the potential to have a solid feud, with the story-line being the Game attempting to avenge the name-calling by Punk a few weeks ago during the shoot promo on RAW.

The two shared a promo together last January on SmackDown while D-Generation X feuded with the Straightedge Society for a brief time, where it would mark another one of Punk's hilarious encounters. Seeing they've never faced each other in singles competition (besides their one-off match on SmackDown, that ended in disqualification), who knows what these two seasoned Superstars could provide. 

3. Christian

As soon as CM Punk turn heel, I knew this was a huge dream feud I wanted to see finally come true. Just after arriving back in WWE in early 2009, Christian would soon make his way over to Friday Nights via the 2010 WWE Draft, with high hopes of this match finally occurring.

Punk spent the summer as the leader of the crumbling Straightedge Society, while feuding with Big Show and losing almost every match he was involved in. Christian, on the other hand, was basically thrown around in a variety of matches over the course of the summer, before being put in a story-line with the debuting Alberto Del Rio.

After many months of waiting, the match between the two skilled stars came to fruition in a main event on SmackDown last fall. Although short, Punk secured the victory in his first-ever match against Captain Charisma, giving us a glimpse of what these two can really accomplishment.

Shortly thereafter, Christian would render inactive for six months following a serious injury, while Punk was traded to RAW a few weeks later. Although Christian has recently turned heel, I am still begging for a rematch between the two former World Champions.

2. Daniel Bryan

If I were have the name the top biggest stars to make on their own in the WWE by arriving from the independent scene, no other names come to mind than CM Punk and Daniel Bryan, better known as Bryan Danielson during his Ring of Honor days. Both have undoubtedly risen against the odds by becoming a very elite few former ROH wrestlers to reach major success in the WWE.

CM Punk is one of WWE's only natural competitors today, grasping nearly the entire package of what a WWE Superstar should be, with his above par mic skills, unique character, and intriguing move-set. Daniel Bryan, on the other hand, can cut a decent promo, but can really shine in the ring with his intense submission style of wrestling.

Although they have not always been very well received by management despite all of this, they continue to shine and grow into the company's fastest rising stars. The only thing missing, however, is a match between the two superb athletes.

It is heavily rumored a contest was close to being booked between the two last October over the United States Championship, but was unfortunately set back due to Punk's sustained injury the night before. With the two on separate brands and Punk's departure, it seems to be awhile before we can see this dream match come true.

1. Kofi Kingston

Ironically enough, both CM Punk and Kofi Kingston have shared similar pasts regarding their road to success since arriving on the scene in WWE a number of years ago. Both Superstars began their respective careers in ECW, before leaving the Land of Extreme for Monday Nights in the 2008 WWE Draft, both enjoying Intercontinental Championship reigns while on RAW.

For those who may have forgotten, CM Punk and Kofi Kingston formed in alliance in the end of 2008 against their rivals within the Legacy, eventually dethroning Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase for the World Tag Team Championships that October. Following their reign, they would never cross paths until just recently.

Although Punk and Kingston were apart of the SmackDown roster simultaneously, the creative team was never wise enough to pull the plug on this feud. I nearly marked out when I saw Punk would competing against then-United States Champion Kofi Kingston two months ago on RAW, but it was too short to be considered anything classic, and no rightful rematch was scheduled.

Given their tremendous athletic ability, a much-longer match between the two is highly anticipated. Although a rivalry between the former allies may not sound appetizing, it would certainly get Kingston back on the map and elevate him to the next level that he so rightfully deserves.

Conclusion

With CM Punk departing from the WWE this Sunday, only one can hope he makes his anticipated return to the company sooner rather than later. Being one of the only credible heels in the WWE today, I sure hope to see these numerous ruthless rivalries come to fruition upon his second coming.

Make sure to comment on your opinions of these chosen feuds or perhaps some ideas of your own. Thanks for reading, and enjoy Money in the Bank this Sunday. GSM out.

Visit my Web site at Next Era Wrestling for more of GSM's writings, along with WWE/TNA news, recaps and more. Follow me on Twitter  @SAVE_US_GSM.