Why CM Punk Must Remain WWE Champion

Since defeating Alberto Del Rio at November's Survivor Series to win the WWE title, CM Punk has become one of only three wrestlers to enjoy a lengthy title reign in the past five years (the others being HHH in 2008 and John Cena in 2007). Many thought that he would lose his title during Sunday's WWE Summerslam title match where he faced a triple threat match against John Cena and Big Show...but in a genius move he expelled John Cena from the ring, pinned Big Show and went on to retain his title. This is a good thing, despite the opinion that many of the WWE fans hold that CM Punk's reign is becoming boring. CM Punk has defended his title to just about everyone who has posed a viable threat to his reign including (but not limited to) Alberto Del Rio, Kane, Chris Jericho, John Cena, Big Show and Dolph Ziggler. There's not many superstars left who the WWE would have willing to go over CM Punk at this point. He even defeated the hottest act in 2012's pro wrestling scene - Daniel Bryan. The only viable superstar to end CM Punk's reign was John Cena last night...which he failed in doing. It is therefore my opinion that CM Punk's reign is only just beginning, especially with a potential feud with The Rock looming. There are, of course, further reasons to back this up. CM Punk has only just turned heel, in the middle of a lengthy championship reign, this is almost as though he is starting afresh. Think about it - he's turned heel, he's got all of these new attitudes, opinions and methods to show off...why would the WWE end his title reign now? A reign that lasts well into 2013 suddenly doesn't seem so ludicrous, does it WWE Universe? If, for some reason, you find yourself able to question the above, then think about all of the new ways he has to keep his title now. Over the past nine months, he's retained his title mostly through clean victories, but now that he's turned heel - he can intentionally get counted out, he can get disqualified, he can use the ropes, hold the tights...he can even win clean if that takes his fancy at the time. The heel turn for CM Punk has been slightly overlooked in terms of his championship reign. He is in the middle of a complete character overhaul. Remember when the WWE took his legs from underneath him at last year's Summerslam by having him drop the title to Alberto Del Rio? He's obviously recovered from that bad booking decision now, but the WWE would be ill-advised to do the same thing exactly one year later. Punk needs the title to develop himself from being an elite good guy, to a world championship worthy bad guy. As well as this, Punk needs to hold the title until it makes perfect sense for him to drop it, in order to retain the prestige that the championship title holds. The WWE has come into scrutiny over the past five years for not providing lengthy title reigns, and this has really damaged the prestige of the top titles. Can you think of another superstar who could believably take the title from Punk and hold onto it on the road to Wrestlemania? However, the most important reason why CM Punk should retain his title lies with one man: The Rock. If Punk can keep his title until the 2013 Royal Rumble, it will be because of The Rock. Dwayne Johnson recently stated that he would be contending for the championship at Royal Rumble, no matter who the champion at the time would be. Later that night, CM Punk hits him with a clothesline and the Go To Sleep. It is highly possible, therefore, that The Rock vs CM Punk for the title will happen either at Royal Rumble or Wrestlemania, and if that is what the WWE has planned, why on earth would they strip the title from Punk before this? There is no logic in it...but as we all know, the WWE have never been too great at anything logical, so until then it's just a game of waiting to see whether the WWE will finally learn to do the logical thing, and keep CM Punk as the WWE Champion until it makes absolute perfect sense for him not to be.