WWE Hell in a Cell 2011: Exploring the History of the WWE Championship Rivalry

Only mere hours away, WWE presents its fourth annual Hell in a Cell pay-per-view event live from New Orleans. Although the brief card may look to be predictable, history has shown us that the annual event we should not taken it lightly, as John Cena joined Nexus in a shocking turn of events from last year.

However, the biggest and most anticipated rivalry going into tonight is none other than the triangle feud over the WWE Championship between the defending John Cena and former champs CM Punk and Alberto Del Rio. With all three trading victories in recent months, anything's bound to happen when they clash in the first ever Triple Threat Hell in a Cell match.

Rewind three months ago and you find yourself in the beginning of this controversial rivalry, where CM Punk boldly stated he would leaving Money in the Bank as WWE Champion. The outspoken Straightedge Superstar made history with his cutting edge promos leading up the event, bringing high anticipation to their eventual bout at the July event.

After weeks of ranting on live television, CM Punk's match with John Cena exceeded expectations when Punk walked out as the unemployed WWE Champion. In that very same night, the rising Alberto Del Rio captured Raw's Money in the Bank briefcase, earning himself a WWE Championship match at any time of his choosing.

Del Rio even attempted to cash in following the 30-minute long WWE title match, but Punk prevented such from happening after a nicely timed kick to the skull of the Mexican Aristocrat. Eight days later, CM Punk returned to the WWE with the original title belt, confronting the newly crowned champ John Cena.

Subsequently, the two would meet in a rematch at SummerSlam in August, this time with the WWE COO Triple H serving as the referee. Following a controversial match-ending decision at the hands of the Game, a returning Kevin Nash emerged from the crowd to deliver a brutal Jackknife Powerbomb to a drained undisputed champion in CM Punk.

Moments later, the familiar music of Alberto Del Rio hit the arena, with the Essence of Excellence striking Punk with one dropkick to be crowned the new WWE Champions. After a year of momentum, Del Rio's destiny had finally been fulfilled.

With CM Punk losing a number one contender's match for the WWE Championship to John Cena a week later, the Chain Gang Commander would go on to absolutely destroy Del Rio in subsequent weeks leading up to their title bout at Night of Champions.

At the event, Cena would prematurely embarrass Del Rio before the bout even started, forcing him to submit within a minute to walk out as a 12-time WWE Champion. Since then, both Punk and Del Rio have stated their intentions to recapture the WWE Championship come Hell in a Cell for a second time.

As a matter of fact, I can not recall any other year that has featured more WWE Championship title changes than 2011, having lose a significant amount of prestige in the process. Although Cena holding the belt grows more and more stale each time he wins it, there's no doubt that he must retain come tonight in order to restore some of this prestige if it is going to mean anything at WrestleMania 28 next year.

This three-way feud over the WWE Champion comes to a climax tonight, and given the addition of the vicious atmosphere of the Hell in a Cell surrounding the ring and recent questionable booking, I wouldn't be surprised to see one of the two challengers walk out as the WWE Champion. The drama will be at a breaking point tonight, it's surely a contest you will not want to miss.

Finally, I'm ecstatic to realize that this very article is my 150th article on Bleacher Report! Thank you to those who take the time to read my material and offer feedback. Much appreciated, Bleachers!

GSM out.

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