WWE Night of Champions: Exploring the CM Punk vs. Triple H Rivalry

In just four days, the war of words between CM Punk and Triple H will be settled. The turned-off microphones, or "pipebombs," will be replaced with fists as the former WWE Champion faces the current COO of the company. While we wait for the hours to count down to this hyped match, it is important to recap the events leading to this match.

This goes beyond this specific storyline, because this is not the first time that these two have crossed paths. In fact, it was almost five years ago that Punk and HHH were first involved with one another.

2006: CM Punk on Team DX at Survivor Series

This traces back nearly five years to Survivor Series 2006, when Team DX recruited Punk to face off against Team Rated RKO. Punk joined DX and the reunited Hardy Boyz to take on Rated RKO, Gregory Helms, Johnny Nitro and Mike Knox.

Punk was an up-and-coming superstar in ECW and was still a fresh face to WWE fans. He seemed on the cusp of becoming ECW Champion and was still riding an undefeated streak at the time. Punk kept that streak alive in that event as his team completed a clean sweep of Team Rated RKO. It took Team DX just 11:30 to dispose of all five men. Punk had the second fall of the match, forcing Nitro to tap to the anaconda Vice less than five minutes into the match.

2010: HHH Takes on the Straight Edge Society

Let's fast forward a few years to 2010's "Monday Night Smackdown" from the New Jersey Meadowlands. Punk was a two-time world champion already and created his Straight Edge Society, while Triple H was moving on without Shawn Michaels. Punk had a match with his hair on the line at Extreme Rules six days later, while Triple H had a street fight with Sheamus. Both matches would change the superstars. Punk would lose and get his head shaved, while Triple H would be written off with injuries and kept out of a ring until this year's WrestleMania against The Undertaker. The match Triple H was in on this night was his last television match to date.

Triple H and Punk were laying into one another for the first time. This was only possible because of most of the RAW superstars being stuck overseas, hence the Monday Night Smackdown nickname. I was personally there for this night and the idea of the two men colliding was an exciting thought. There had been a tease earlier in the year on Smackdown, but this seemed to be the beginning of the ball rolling.

2011: The Shoot Heard 'Round the World

Consider this the official start to this storyline. We can all pretty much recite Punk's shoot, where he lays into anyone and everyone. Triple H and his wife, Stephanie McMahon, were no exception. Punk called The Game a "doofus" and the rest is history. Sometimes, that's all it really takes.

2011: CM Punk Crashes ComiCon

Punk, who was now the WWE Champion, had "left" WWE with their prestigious title. WWE had a press conference in San Diego at the annual ComiCon and Punk felt like stopping by. Triple H was the new COO after Vince McMahon was let go after the proceedings from Money in the Bank. It only lasted for a few minutes, but this verbal exchange between former employee and current boss truly brought fans to attention. There's also a Zack Ryder mention, which is always a plus.

2011: Triple H Refs Unification Match at SummerSlam

It seemed like bad blood, but Triple H would reach out days later to CM Punk to return to WWE with his championship. Punk appeared moments after John Cena would win back the title, making two champions. The Game intervened in it, making himself the special guest referee for the title unification match. Punk was not pleased about it, but would be happy to see himself win the match and become Undisputed WWE Champion... for a little while anyway.

2011: Triple H vs CM Punk at Night of Champions

Moments after Punk's victory at SummerSlam, Kevin Nash shocked us all by coming through the crowd and attacking the champion. He said he was provoked by a text, which later turned out to be a lie. Nash's attack led to Alberto Del Rio cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase and leaving Los Angeles with the WWE Championship.

A furious Punk wanted to go after Nash, but also grouped HHH into the conspiracy. HHH swore he had nothing to do with it and fired his friend Nash for bringing the drama to the title picture. Punk still had HHH in his crosshairs and the match that originally was Punk/Nash became Punk/HHH for Night of Champions. The added stipulations have this match being a no-disqualification match and a loss by The Game means a loss of his job title with WWE.

In Summary

So with their major history laid out, CM Punk and Triple H face off this Sunday at Night of Champions to settle the feud they have had brewing for about a year. Punk is one of the few men to fight The Game in the last two years, so you can be sure to see a well-worked match. HHH might not have had a televised match since his loss at WrestleMania, but that doesn't constitute ring rust for the 13-time world champion.

As for Punk, he needs this win to get rid of his authority figure that is a thorn in his side and keep his momentum going toward Survivor Series, where everything will pick up and become a fast track to WrestleMania. Punk can ill afford a loss to the boss and expect to be taken seriously as a world title contender again.