WWE TLC 2011: A Lack of Cena Makes This Punk's Proving Ground

If you are a wrestling fan, it's a general rule that you like bodies going through tables. It is just the way things are. If you are the WWE, you use John Cena in any way possible, it is just the way things are.

Until now.

Don't look now but the upcoming TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs Pay-Per-View is missing something. A pretty big something.

Look at the card:

CM Punk (c) vs. The Miz vs. Alberto Del Rio - Triple Threat TLC match for the WWE Championship

Mark Henry (c) vs. Big Show - Chairs Match for the World Heavyweight Championship

Triple H vs. Kevin Nash - Ladder match with a Sledgehammer above the ring

Dolph Ziggler (c) vs. Zack Ryder - United States Championship match

Randy Orton vs. Wade Barrett - Tables match

Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Booker T - Intercontinental Title match

Notice a name missing? Took me a second to realize it to.

John Cena, when he's not injured, has been involved in every Pay-Per-View since who knows when. This is to be expected as John Cena has been the WWE's top draw for a long time.

But something to consider is that Cena is not visibly injured, nor is he scheduled to a do a movie that I know of. He is simply not booked for the upcoming Pay-Per-View. 

Why? Who knows. But one inescapable fact is that this is Punk's chance to prove he can draw the fans in and make them spend their hard earned cash. With Cena out of the picture for next Sunday and Orton busy putting over other talent, now is Punk's time to shine.

Cena's Declining Options

"It's not a choice, it's a lack of options." - Bruce Willis, "Armageddon"

Cena had three logical opponents for the PPV in the persons of CM Punk, Zack Ryder and The Miz.

Punk would have been logical, based on the fact that he is the current champion. The two beautifully-done matches at Money In The Bank and Summerslam is a testament to what these two can do. However, Cena gave that up when he sacrificed his title shot so Ryder could get a crack at Ziggler.

The Miz would have been a good choice, but he secured his chance for Punk's title when he defeated Randy Orton (with some assistance from Wade Barrett) via count out. 

Ryder? Well, why not? The two put on a fine TV match last week and there seems to be some underlying chemistry between the two. With Cena's character undergoing an overhaul, Ryder would make the perfect instrument for a heel turn.

However, I get the sense they are saving Cena vs. Ryder for something later. Beyond that, Ryder finally gets another crack at Dolph's title on Sunday. If Ryder wins, I don't think they'll try and overshadow that.

So where does that leave him? In truth, no where. There is no real opponent for Cena to work with at the PPV and make a feasible angle out of it.

A random opponent, unless it is to fuel his current "self-doubt" cycle, won't do. Simply put, the WWE seems to have purposefully booked Cena out of this Pay-Per-View

The Rise of the Second City Saint

"And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who would attempt to poison and destroy My brothers. And you will know My name is the Lord when I lay My vengeance upon thee." - Samuel L. Jackson, "Pulp Fiction"

To say that Punk has been on fire this year is like saying rain is wet. To quote Bill Belichick's catchphrase: "It is what it is."

Since dropping his first spectacular "Pipebomb" and turning into a fan favorite, Punk has been on a wave that has taken him to the top. The question becomes where to does he go from here.

The WWE has a lot riding on the success of Punk and his ability to draw in the fans. There has been some successes and some failures. But Punk's momentum has taken him to the top of the food chain in the WWE because of his ability to connect with them on a level they appreciate. Namely, his ability to "shoot" on everything and back it up in the ring.

However, does Punk's mouth draw buy rates? That's the question really. Punk's "contract" storyline drew in some good numbers for Money In The Bank, while his return resulted in a slightly disappointing buyrate for Summerslam.  Since then, he's been all over the place on Pay-Per-Views and matches.

Punk's storyline with Del Rio in November was used as a sort of "1A" type of angle, where it's heavily featured but not the prime topic of the Pay-Per-View build. The resulting match at Survivor Series was dynamite and the WWE went so far as to declare that "The Entertainment Era has begun!"

With all that being said, it's not too far of a stretch to see this as Punk's last crucible. Without Cena, he will be carrying the show for Raw. Granted, he'll have some help with The Miz and Del Rio. At this point though, it's all about Punk.

So Where To Now? 

"I always forget (or just black out to spare myself the agony) what Wilson's most lethal weapon is his mouth! He'll talk nonsense until you surrender or commit suicide" - Domino, talking about Deadpool

I like to equate Punk to the Marvel Comic's character Deadpool, otherwise known as the "Merc with a Mouth." Though Punk isn't nearly as crazy as Deadpool, both are known for breaking the Fourth Wall and for their quips. Both men are also notorious badass men in their respective universes. But their mouths and stunts are what draw the adoration of fans.

Back to the topic. As for Cena, why he is seemingly booked out the Pay-Per-View is merely an academic question. Whether it is to really to test Punk's drawing power or because he needs a weekend off is just debate.

The reality of the situation is that, on the Raw side of the house, TLC is all about CM Punk. A strong performance both in the ring and in the buy rate would cement him as the top star on Raw. Since Edge's retirement, the WWE has put a lot of work into creating another star to replace him. 

If Punk is able to prove his connection to the fans, that free up the WWE to a number of things with Cena. What those "things" are is, again, subject to debate. But the WWE will not kill the cash cow unless there is another one to take it's place. It's a simple rule of business.

Whether Punk can carry that torch remains to be seen. However, for all his pipebombs and stellar matches, Punk has to be able to equate all of that into the almighty dollar.

The "Voice of the Voiceless" created a merchandising dynamo (remember in October, he dethroned Cena as the #1 Merchandise seller) and he has always received critical praise for his work. However, it's time to put everything together.

Whether it's simple happenstance or by design, the last trial of Punk happens on Sunday. Here's hoping he makes it a good one.