CM Punk and the WWE Championship: Why the Title Scene Has Never Looked Better

CM Punk.

The current WWE Champion and one of the most beloved characters on the roster.

What makes him so appealing to readers and WWE fans worldwide?

Is it his many tattoos or his boyish charms? The fact that he is not 300 lbs of jacked-up muscles and tanned like he spent two weeks straight in the Mexico sun would certainly appeal to many people.

He didn't reinvent the wheel but strives to better his surroundings with every chance he gets, and that is a commendable gesture.

Some may disagree, stating the television ratings suffering, but in many ways change needs time to settle in and "happen" so to speak. Whether you like his style or not, CM Punk is here to stay and change has already begun.

The WWE championship scene is in a whole new place and it is better than ever.

If you do not believe it yet, read on to discover why.

First Time for Everything

Edge, Jeff Hardy, Sheamus and The Miz...

Former WWE Champions. Each differ from the other in style, look and ability yet all brought a fresh, new outlook on the title scene for the entire duration of their reigns.

They all had immense potential but unfortunately were not allowed to hold the title long enough for the fans to get used to them.

Instead of trusting their talent to do the job right, the corporate heads quickly pressed the panic button and in came the John Cenas, Randy Ortons and Triple Hs to the rescue.

The times are different now. CM Punk rules and those big guns aren't anywhere near the title scene.

It is new, refreshing and full of hope there will be major changes in the new year. Forget your television ratings. They decrease not because the champion is unappealing to the fans, but because the content of the program is boring.

Who the hell wants to see a six-man tag team match to close the show knowing the faces would win? It was Christmas week after all, and thinking The Miz and co. would win the match was downright delusional.

Let John Cena worry about turning to the dark side or his match with The Rock. The WWE Champion is or should be the most important person on the roster.

But who are the worthy challengers?

The Current No. 1 Contender

Dolph Ziggler has earned the right to face CM Punk for the WWE championship this coming Monday on the very first Raw of 2012.

Just the idea of this match is a step in the right direction as Ziggler proved he is an extraordinary performer with the mic skills to back up his work.

There have been many crying out for a chance to see him compete for the most important prize in WWE and now their wish is granted.

What kind of match are we going to see? Based on their past performance together, expect nothing less than a four- to five-star match.

Though is it very doubtful Dolph will pull off the upset, never count him out nor disregard the possibility of a John Laurinaitis interference. 

The interim Raw GM's involvement in CM Punk's career still puzzles many people but one thing is true: WWE has much history in screwing with its top champion the moment he starts getting relevant.

CM Punk vs. Dolph Ziggler could also be a prelude to their potential WrestleMania XXVIII match provided the show-off wins the Royal Rumble.

He is a strong candidate.

The Former Champion

The Miz has been on a quest to regain his beloved WWE championship since losing it to John Cena last May.

He is the longest-reigning champion since Triple H back in 2008 and his reign was dubbed "the Age of Awesomeness." It was a good time filled with possibilities which ended all too soon.

Since then, The Miz lingered between the upper mid-card and main event scenes trying to find his way again. The paring with R-Truth as "Awesome Truth" did have enormous potential, but it seemed WWE's idea of heels was for them to appear weak and cowardly, were never made to be believable and were fed to a returning Rock at Survivor Series.

Fortunately for The Miz, R-Truth failed a drug test and was suspended, allowing the Awesome One the time to return in the title hunt.

We have yet to see what direction WWE will take with him now that Truth has returned but The Miz will not yield his position to anyone so easily.

Hopefully, the feud with his former partner can be resolved on television. It would certainly make for some interesting Raw moments as both are known for their incredible verbal skills.

Challenging CM Punk for his title and beating him should be The Miz's top priority; if that fails then winning the Royal Rumble in January is imperative.

He is already my pick to win it all.

The Source of the "It Begins" Promos

Chris Jericho? The Undertaker? Shane and Stephanie McMahon?

Who is behind the mysterious messages playing week after week on Raw?

Maybe it's Michelle McCool!

We will discover the truth on Monday but there is still much time to speculate. One thing is important to remember: This will not be someone lukewarm like Skip Sheffield or Batista, it must be someone hot, hot, hot!

Last year, The Undertaker and Triple H returned simultaneously and the challenge to The Streak was placed. The WWE championship was not a factor then but could very well be this time around.

It is wonderful to see how much energy the WWE puts on this project.

Chris Jericho is a notable choice because the moniker of "best in the world" was his before Punk started to use it. The promos do have a certain "she" mentioned in there so the idea of an Undertaker and wife McCool pairing or a McMahon brother/sister alliance fits just as nice.

Most want Chris Jericho anyway. It doesn't matter what Y2J says about his in-ring career, he has been known to throw people off course many time in the past so why not now?

Let the SmackDown crew have a Royal Rumble winner in 2012. The money is on a show-stealing Punk-Jericho confrontation on April 1st.

Only a few days left before everyone finds out. Be patient!

This Is Just the Beginning

Here's hoping WWE Champion CM Punk does usher in a new era in the company as he promised many times.

John Cena, Randy Orton and Triple H had many chances and did a phenomenal job. They also amassed quite a number of reigns in the process, which somewhat devalued the championship to the point of being reduced to prop status.

That time is over and a new age is upon us. One thing to hope for in the coming months would have to be a new outfit for the title belt. Long overdue says CM Punk and John Cena. Let's hope it happens soon.

2012 is looking to be an exciting year at WWE. A new champion, a new breed of challengers, a new network on the way and perhaps the greatest WrestleMania in history...turn away from all this?

No way Jose!