WWE TLC 2011: Was John Cena Left off the Card to Test CM Punk?

CM Punk put on a great performance tonight in the TLC main event, where he faced Alberto Del Rio and the Miz in a triple threat match. It is the type of match that could keep his star shooting to greater heights.

The only catch is that he needs to perform well when the pay-per-view numbers come back. This PPV was all about him and his match. Yes there was a supporting card with Booker T, Triple H and Kevin Nash, and the Big Show and Mark Henry, but that isn't why most fans bought it.

Most fans paid their hard-earned money to see Punk fight to keep his belt.

Normally, this would be speculation, as a certain number of fans might also have bought the event for the WWE's company man, John Cena.

Except that Cena wasn't on the card this time and Punk had to carry the show by himself.

It seems like this is an experiment by Vince McMahon, the head of the WWE, on many levels. Can the company's product be carried by a straight edge, tattooed and brash wrestler who doesn't look like a body builder? He is a far cry from Cena's clean-cut image and aesthetically impressive physique.  

McMahon also let Daniel Bryan beat the Big Show to win the world heavyweight title. Bryan is yet another wrestler who doesn't look like a world beater, but has the skills to make you think otherwise.

But Bryan's win was not advertised, as he could cash in the Money in the Bank briefcase he had earned months before, but it wasn't expected.

Punk, on the other hand, was planned to be in the main event, and the delivery of the PPV and its buyrate rest squarely on his shoulders.

If he succeeds, the WWE will not necessarily change direction, but they might make it so fans don't have to see John Cena in the main event of every show and every PPV.

On the other hand, if it does terribly, fans might have to see Cena in every main event up until he retires.

Because this was all started by CM Punk and his ability to shake up the WWE product. If he fails, there won't be another person who can do it.

At least not until Cena retires.

So even though Punk retained his title tonight, he is gearing up to win another one.

And that is the best wrestler in the company, and with it, best in the world.