CM Punk vs. The Rock (WWE Championship)
At long last, the best of the new generation of talent takes on the most prolific member of wrestlings most beloved generation. The rare blend of reality vs. attitude that has been on display in the past few weeks between CM Punk and The Rock has been very compelling to watch, as both competitors have brought their strengths to bear while simultaneously having those advantages undermined. CM Punk can drop all the pipe-bombs he wants, but The Rock has made it expressly clear that he will not go into this match intimidated by his opponent. Likewise, the Peoples Champ can expose Punks feeble paranoia with all the songs and promises of laying the smacketh down, but as The Shield proved this past Monday, the reality is that even a man as electrifying as The Rock can bleed. I genuinely have no idea what direction the WWE wants to take this match in when the bell rings on Sunday. The Rocks power and agility is an apt counterpoint to CM Punk's quick and calculating attacks. Both men will be able to use their unique in-ring skill sets to assert their dominance over the match, and the momentum will likely fluctuate myriad times over the course of the evening. Even a Rock Bottom or a GTS isnt guaranteed to put either competitor down for good, as both men have experienced the agony of watching superstars kick out of their finishers as the referees hand is coming down for the third time. In a match that is just as likely to provide a draw as it is a winner, I still believe that the smart choice is Punk. The current champion has been lucky with the Shields interferences protecting his legendary title reign, but he seems desperate to prove that he can win a match without interference. In a match sure to be full of hay-makers, something tells me that the Voice of the Voiceless is crafty enough to land the last one.
Winner: CM Punk (Title Successfully Retained)