WWE Champion CM Punk defeated John Cena and Big Show - SummerSlam 2012

At a seeming disadvantage given the Triple Threat rules, WWE Champion CM Punk successfully defended his title against John Cena and Big Show in a colossal Triple Threat Match. Three men entered, three men collided and three men fought. When the dust was settled and all was said and done, CM Punk — on the 274th day of his reign — was still standing tall as the WWE Champion, defeating John Cena and Big Show in a Triple Threat Match at The 25th Anniversary of SummerSlam.

For weeks, the embattled champion had been insisting that WWE had not been affording him due respect as its standard-bearer. He made a particular point of telling Raw General Manager AJ Lee that a Triple Threat Title Match — a contest where Punk would not even have to be pinned to lose his championship — was an extension of that mindset. And when Cena refused to shake Punk’s hand earlier in the week on Raw, The Second City Saint seemed to be in a particularly foul mood heading into WWE’s summer classic.

He was also in a particularly confident one, insisting that he would retain no matter who was in the ring with him. The Voice of the Voiceless proved to be a man of his word, although he had to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat to accomplish the task.

Brock Lesnar defeated Triple H - SummerSlam 2012

Paul Heyman vowed Brock Lesnar would make Triple H tap out and end his career at SummerSlam, and when the clouds of “The Perfect Storm” broke, Heyman’s bold prediction appeared to have veracity. Lesnar defeated Triple H in an intrepid war that has game-changing ramifications for the entire WWE, not the least of which is the potential departure of Triple H as an in-ring competitor.

The much vaunted win marks a crowning achievement for the unruly “fighter with ultimate credentials,” but for The Game, the match may well represent the final chapter. Looking like a battered gladiator who had just fought the war of his life, The King of Kings exited STAPLES Center to loud applause. In losing, Triple H fought valiantly, tirelessly. Having left it all out in the ring, there will be no dishonor for The Game — no matter whose hand was raised — and no questions about his resolve.

It took Lesnar 20 minutes of some of the most physically intense action ever witnessed by the WWEUniverse to accomplish what he set out to do. Battle-weary, a groggy Lesnar managed to tap out the WWE COO with the Kimura Lock, the same hold that broke Triple H’s arm in April and Shawn Michaels’ arm last Monday.

With his best friend, HBK, laid up due to injuries caused by Lesnar, Triple H dauntlessly ventured into battle alone against Lesnar, who had his incorrigible representative, Paul Heyman, ringside. Tweeting from home, HBK wrote prior to the match, “This match is gonna be about more than winning or losing, but about surviving.”

HBK’s tweet was prescient. Once the bell rang, the two gladiators charged at each other full force. Lesnar used his boulder-sized shoulders to jam The Game into the corner. An early attempt to cinch in the Kimura Lock was fruitless, as Triple H escaped and disposed of Lesnar over the top rope. After taking a moment to recompose himself, Lesnar re-entered the ring, removed his MMA-style gloves and glared menacingly across the ring. Lesnar repeatedly targeted Triple H’s left arm, key-locking the limb and slamming Triple H on it (once on a table), stomping on it and sending Triple H arm and shoulder first into the steel ring steps. The Game withstood the punishment, firing off his own DDT and nailing Lesnar with stiff blows.

At roughly six minutes in, blood began dripping from Lesnar’s nostril — inevitably the product of one of Triple H’s bruising punches. The “pain” would not yet be over for either Superstar.

Chris Jericho defeated Dolph Ziggler

Inside the sold-out STAPLES Center, Chris Jericho did what he couldn’t all year – win under the bright lights of the pay-per-view stage.

From the start, it was a tooth-and-nail war between Mr. Money in the Bank and Jericho, who was battling through injured ribs following attacks by Ziggler and Alberto Del Rio on Friday’s SmackDown. Going into the SummerSlam bout, there was heavy speculation as to whether Jericho could finally win "the big one."

Just when it looked like Ziggler had Jericho where he wanted, Y2J battled back with a Codebreaker, sending Ziggler from the ring and onto the arena floor. With Vickie Guerrero looking on, Jericho prepared to capitalize and put Ziggler away by pushing him back in the ring. But before Y2J could advance on Ziggler, Vickie grabbed hold of his leg. Shaking off Vickie’s grasp, Jericho charged at Ziggler, locked him in the Walls of Jericho and forced him to tap out of the painful hold.

The win was sweet vindication for Y2J given his absolutely rough year that started when he was eliminated by Sheamus in the 2012 Royal Rumble Match. That set a trend that continued for the months to come at Elimination Chamber, WrestleMania XXVIII, Extreme Rules, WWE Over the Limit and Money in the Bank.

With the win, Jericho, the winner of 30 titles, proved to himself – and the entire WWE Universe – that he is indeed "The Best in the World at What He Does."

Daniel Bryan defeated Kane - SummerSlam 2012

It hasn’t been a great few months for Daniel Bryan. He lost the World Heavyweight Title at WrestleMania XXVIII in record-breaking time, was left at the altar by AJ Lee and mocked by The Rock during Raw 1,000, and came up just short in several opportunities for the WWE Championship. So, it’s unsurprising that the former Mr. Money in the Bank has developed a short fuse. But if Bryan’s effort against Kane at SummerSlam is any indication, things might be turning around for the master of the “No!” Lock.

Kane, another Superstar with a well-documented history of erratic behavior, clashed with Bryan at SummerSlam in a battle that had each grappler seeing red. The Superstar who The Rock referred to as an Oompa-Loompa was furious even before he arrived at ringside, attempting to stop the sold-out STAPLES Center crowd from chanting “Yes!”

“No! No! No!” shouted Bryan to the WWE Universe, prompting Jerry Lawler to admit he’d be shouting the same thing if he was about to enter into a battle with The Big Red Monster. Bryan circled his foe like a piranha determining how to attack a shark, and began by striking Kane with stiff right kicks. The offense didn’t faze the much larger competitor, and the action soon spilled to ringside.

Doing his best to ground the former WWE Champion, the technical expert dove onto Kane with both Superstars barreling into the guardrail. Back in the ring, Bryan effectively nailed a missile dropkick from the top rope — but even in control of the contest, Bryan seemed distracted by the Los Angeles fans chanting “Yes!” Sensing his opponent was beginning to lose his temper, Kane managed to take advantage and gained the upper hand. The masked fire breather nailed a sidewalk slam, one of his signature top rope clotheslines and attempted a Chokeslam, which was narrowly avoided by his feisty opponent.

In a moment of sheer audacity, Bryan slapped Kane right across the face. Bold to be sure, but likely not the brightest decision. Kane was incredulous and tore into Bryan in the corner with a series of thunderous jabs. But the resilient Bryan was once again able to use his quickness to turn the momentum. Sensing victory was within his grasp, Bryan scaled the ropes and attempted a flying headbutt. This time, the veteran Kane displayed the presence of mind to capture the high-flyer and land the previously elusive Chokeslam.

The Devil’s Favorite Demon determined he hadn’t put Bryan though enough punishment and set up his opponent for the legendary Tombstone Piledriver. But Kane was a little too greedy, as Bryan turned the tables and quickly rolled up Kane for the pinfall victory. Realizing he had just infuriated The Big Red Monster to dangerous new levels, the victor dashed backstage while the loser seethed on the canvas. Kane bellowed “No!” But this was one time Bryan did not want to hear that word.

Kane followed close behind, and began a path of wreckage throughout the backstage area searching for the much smaller competitor who just defeated him. Both hotheads surely were not quick to cool down after their intense SummerSlam encounter.

Intercontinental Champion The Miz defeated Rey Mysterio - SummerSlam 2012

After spending half the summer preparing for his feature film debut in WWE Studios’ “The Marine: Homefront” and the other half defending the Intercontinental Championship he won at Raw 1,000, The Miz finally achieved a Hollywood ending.

The Awesome One successfully defended his title at Staples Center in Los Angeles, a few miles from his Hollywood home, on Sunday night by defeating Rey Mysterio at The 25th Anniversary of SummerSlam. The reigning Intercontinental Champion withstood a feisty Mysterio and his aerial arsenal long enough to find an opening and finish off his opponent with a Skull-Crushing Finale.

While they had less than a week to prepare for this bout, the match combatants’ recent history against each other certainly provided ample motivation to bring their best to SummerSlam. It was just more than one year ago, in the finals of an eight-man tournament to crown a new WWE Champion, when Mysterio pinned Miz to become the new WWE Title holder. One month later at SummerSlam, The Ultimate Underdog sealed another victory in a Six-Man Tag Team Match by once again pinning The Awesome One.

Mysterio, decked out in a mask and cape  reminiscent of the comic book superhero Batman, heard the cheers of the capacity crowd of 17,482 fans as he made his way to ringside at the bout’s outset. However, he struggled throughout the match to build on that early momentum. Every quick counter and high-flying attack doled out by Mysterio was met with a strong response from Miz, who simply overpowered his challenger with a brutal backbreaker and a devastating sit-down powerbomb among other maneuvers.

Miz’s momentum appeared to be on the ropes late in the match as The Biggest Little Man successfully dialed up the 619, but Mysterio’s inability to Drop The Dime left the champion with the opening he needed. The Awesome One slid behind his weary challenger moments later and planted him face-first into the ring apron with a Skull-Crushing Finale to seal the victory.

The result gives the reigning Intercontinental Title holder his first win in two tries at SummerSlam, with his only other battle at The Biggest Event of the Summer ending in defeat in 2011. The Awesome One also becomes only the sixth Intercontinental Champion to successfully retain his championship gold of all 20 who tried in SummerSlam’s  storied history, putting Miz in elite company that includes WWE Hall of Famers Shawn Michaels and Edge as well as Mysterio himself.

Antonio Cesaro defeated United States Champion Santino Marella - SummerSlam 2012

We’re not sure how you say slobberkocker in five languages, but the surprise was universal when the mouthy newcomer Antonio Cesaro knocked off Santino Marella to claim the United States Champion in the SummerSlam 2012 Pre-Show.

Santino, who had suffered two previous losses to the self-styled “Swiss Superman,” came out swinging against Cesaro, looking to engage the former rugby star in mat-based technical attacks that frustrated Cesaro in the contest’s opening minutes. The Italian Stallion used his unorthodox offense to stymie Cesaro before the challenger forced The Italian Stallion into the corner and began to go to work with stiff shots to Santino’s midsection.

The Milan Miracle tried to put the contest away quickly, breaking out The Cobra in hopes of finishing Cesaro off, but the multilingual brawler cut Marella off mid-stream, kicking away Santino’s weapon of choice and smothering the champion with a vicious array of headbutts before trapping him in a vise-like headlock. Cesaro tossed Santino away like a rag doll before hubris nearly got the better of him when he retrieved the fallen Cobra and tore it apart like a wild animal, using his powerful muscles to shred the implement to ribbons.

An enraged Marella quickly rallied for his signature hiptoss/headbutt combo and seemed to literally pull victory out of his rear end when he retrieved a spare Cobra from inside the back of his singlet. The sultry Aksana slinked up on the apron, though, and distracted Santino just long enough for Cesaro to strike. The challenger wrenched Santino up for the Neutralizer and planted him upon the mat, securing the three-count and the stars and stripes title for himself.

Cesaro will surely have many things to say in many different languages, perhaps we can sum it up succinctly, in the language of the former champion himself: la vittoria era suo.

WWE Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston & R-Truth defeated The Prime Time Players - SummerSlam 2012

After weeks of boasts, taunts and Touts, The Prime Time Players finally got their rematch against WWE Tag Champions Kofi Kingston & R-Truth at SummerSlam. Unfortunately for the brash No. 1 contenders, the champions proved to be too much, fighting through adversity to successfully defend their illustrious titles.

Darren Young and Titus O’Neil seemed to have the momentum going into The Biggest Event of Summer, winning individual contests against the titleholders in recent weeks and delivering a brutal, two-on-one assault on Truth on the Aug. 13 episode of Raw while Kofi was in Asia on WWE’s 2012 World Tour.

This match, however, would start on a different note, with the typically jocular Truth wearing a solemn “game face.” Still smarting from the attack on Raw, Truth immediately took the fight to Young, battering him around the ring. All business in the early going, Truth smacked Young around the canvas before hitting his unorthodox leg drop and getting a two-count.

Young managed to tag in O’Neil, who landed a crushing kick on Truth to steal the momentum. The powerhouse former member of the Florida Gators football squad wailed on the veteran until Truth was able to dive and tag in his high-flying partner.

Kofi hit a Boom Drop on O’Neil, but when he looked for Trouble in Paradise, Young was there with a distraction to help get his partner out of trouble. When the action spilled ringside, Young and O’Neil managed to double team Kofi and regain the advantage on the champions. Continuing their excellent teamwork in the ring, O’Neil slammed his partner onto Kofi with a unique maneuver.

In the ring, Kofi and Young traded moves, both looking for pinfalls. As the energetic and exhausting match wore on, it looked like it was only a matter of time before the young and hungry Prime Time Players found a way to put away the titleholders.

But Kofi pulled down the ropes to send O’Neil careening out of the ring and followed up with fearless, gravity-defying crossbody onto the big man at ringside. A moment after the stunning move, Young almost hit the quick roll-up on Truth, but the eccentric Superstar avoided the pin and hit Young with a jumping reverse STO, followed by the pin for an impressive and hard-fought victory.

It was sweet revenge for the fan-favorite champions, who again proved to be golden in a title reign that has lasted since April 30. The Prime Time Players showed that they indeed have reason to be confident, but still lack the titles to back up their big talk.

In a suddenly crowded tag team division, will titleholders Kofi Kingston & R-Truth move on to new challengers — perhaps duos such as Primo & Epico, The Usos or Tyson Kidd & Justin Gabriel? Or will The Prime Time Players get a third opportunity at WWE’s twin titles?

World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus defeated Alberto Del Rio - SummerSlam 2012

Amid the excitement of The Biggest Event of the Summer, World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus overcame Alberto Del Rio to retain his illustrious title, with a finish as controversial as it was clever.

Inside the sold-out STAPLES Center, the matchup between the fierce champion and his unscrupulous challenger proved extremely personal from the opening bell. Within moments, their struggle carried them both over the top rope and down onto the ringside floor. There, recovering from a fierce kick by The Great White, The Mexican Aristocrat roared back, slamming Sheamus’ head into the announce table. 

Back in the ring, the intense competitors continued to fight for the advantage, with both Superstars going for their respective finishers early — the Cross Armbreaker and then the Brogue Kick.  

They soon found themselves outside the ring for a second time, where Del Rio ultimately slammed Sheamus into the unforgiving steel steps. This set the stage for a major onslaught by the challenger, in which he utilized everything from the top rope to a sound strategy of grounding The Great White on the canvas.

WWE Smackdown 17/8/12

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WWE NXT 15/8/12

WWE RAW 13/8/12

WWE Smackdown 10/8/12

WWE Superstars 9/8/12

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WWE Raw 6/8/12

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WWE Smackdown 27/7/12

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WWE Raw 23/7/12 (1000th Episode)

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Fact 8

Demolition was the second tag team in WWE history to have three different reigns as tag team champions. The first team was Mr. Fuji (later Demolition’s manager) and Professor Tanaka.

Fact 7

The Undertaker and John Cena are the only two Superstars that have entered the Royal Rumble Match at No. 30 and won. These victories also occurred back-to-back in 2007 and 2008, respectively.

Fact 6

Demolition won the World Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania IV. Their title reign lasted 478 days, a record that still stands more than two decades later.

Fact 5

Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat’s victory over “Macho Man” Randy Savage at WrestleMania III marked the first time the Intercontinental Championship changed hands at The Show of Shows.

Fact 4

Submission masters Bret “Hit Man” Hart and Bob Backlund squared off in the first “I Quit” Match in WWE history. Hart won the match using Backlund’s trademark maneuver, the Crossface Chicken Wing.

Fact 3

Accompanied by The Million Dollar Man, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin made his WrestleMania debut as “The Ringmaster” at WrestleMania XII defeating Savio Vega.

Fact 2

WWE '13 cover boy CM Punk first appeared in WWE SmackDown vs Raw 2008.

Fact 1

Legendary hip-hop group Run DMC was the first musical act to perform on The Grandest Stage of Them All at WrestleMania V, performing “WrestleMania Rap.”

WWE Smackdown 29/6/12

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WWE NXT 27/6/12

WWE Champion CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan

CM Punk will put his WWE Championship on the line at Money in the Bank in what’s sure to be another thrilling technical match against Daniel Bryan.

Vickie Guerrero, the interim General Manager of Raw and SmackDown, announced the WWE Championship Match on Twitter during the June 25 Raw SuperShow on her account @ExcuseMeWWE. She tweeted:
"I’ve just confirmed with the WWE Board that at #MoneyInTheBank, @CMPunk will defend the WWE Championship against @WWEDanielBryan."


These two rivals clashed in May at WWE Over the Limit in a match that won’t soon be forgotten. Showcasing their bitter rivalry and proficient technical abilities, this intensely physical bout ended in controversy, as Punk pinned Bryan while nearly simultaneously tapping out. The Straight Edge Savior won the battle and retained his title.

More recently at No Way Out, Punk’s WWE Title was on the line again in a Triple Threat Match against Bryan and Kane. Thanks to interference by AJ, Punk hit the Go to Sleep on The Big Red Monster, allowing The Second City Saint to retain the WWE Championship.

The ever-increasingly unstable AJ has made her presence known around Punk, Bryan and Kane, whether she’s giving good luck kisses or wearing miniature versions of her latest flame’s gear. Punk and Bryan must wonder how the Geek Goddess will factor into their latest bout.

Will Punk continue his lengthy title reign when he faces his longtime rival, Bryan, at Money in the Bank? Will it be another close call or will AJ interfere again? If the Diva does get involved, will she take Punk’s side again or that of her ex-boyfriend, Bryan? Tune in to Money in the Bank July 15, live on pay-per-view at 8 ET/5 PT.

WWE RAW 25/6/12

WWE Smackdown 22/6/12

WWE Superstars 21/6/12

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Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

WWE RAW 18/6/2012

John Cena VS Big Show - No Way Out 2012

Sheamus VS Dolph Ziggler - No Way Out 2012

The Rock vs John Cena - "Once In A Lifetime" Match

Triple H VS The Rock - Judgement Day 2000

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WWE Presents No Way Out

WWE's No Way Out 2012 airs live on pay-per-view Sunday, June 17, from the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J.

Is Christian On The 'Rhodes' To Greatness?

While Intercontinental Champion Christian strives to rise to the example of his best friend, WWE Hall of Famer Edge, Cody Rhodes feels that he is already there. At No Way Out, Captain Christan and his predecessor will battle in a rematch for the illustrious title.

Cena Faces Giant Test In A Steel Cage

The World's Largest Athlete defected to People Power to get his job back, and now John Cena wants to settle the score inside a steel cage. Can the Cenation leader overcome the man who cost him the chance to see John Laurinaitis terminated? Or will Big Show drop another big right hand and put Cena down for the count?

John Cena's No Way Out History

Although he'll be staring down The World's Largest Athlete on June 17, John Cena is no stranger to big-match situations at No Way Out. From warring with Kurt Angle to teaming with Shawn Michaels, look back at Cena's match history at No Way Out.

Tripple Threat Clash For The Title

WWE Champion CM Punk looks to defend the most prestigious title in WWE in a Triple Threat Match against both Daniel Bryan and Kane at No Way Out. Can The Best in the World again rise to the challenge, or will his near 200-day title reign crash and burn in the face of overwhelming odds?

Charm City Devils Provide No Way Out Theme

Charm City Devils' "Unstoppable" is the official theme song for WWE's No Way Out, which airs on pay-per-view June 17. The song, found on the album "Sins," is available in stores and on iTunes!

Tripple H To Appear At No Way Out

For the first time since learning of Brock Lesnar’s lawsuit against WWE, COO Triple H will break his silence and publicly address a multitude of items – including his own future and the Lesnar litigation – at No Way Out on Sunday, June 17, WWE’s Breaking News mobile alert service reported Wednesday. The Game was last seen on the May 14 edition of Raw SuperShow, when Lesnar representative Paul Heyman and an attorney served him legal papers accusing WWE of breach of contract. According to Heyman, WWE owes his barrel-chested client “millions” of dollars. During that confrontation, a provoked Triple H grabbed Heyman by the mouth, prompting Lesnar’s fast-talking envoy to threaten even further legal action. Although the WWE Universe will have to wait until No Way Out to find out exactly what’s on the COO’s mind, it is safe to assume that Triple H has not forgotten the very personal overtones of Lesnar’s chaotic departure from the WWE locker room. The Game is still healing from a broken left arm that Lesnar caused with a Kimura Lock in April. That parting shot marked Lesnar’s final appearance on WWE TV. On the May 14 Raw, Triple H ominously told Heyman that Lesnar will get “everything he deserves.” Given the way that the lines between his business and personal affairs have been blurred, it seems unlikely that the WWE COO was referring to pure remuneration. Though Triple H has expressed in the past his desire to see Lesnar continue to compete in the WWE ring, he more recently dismissed Lesnar as arrogant, and he even admitted embarrassment over having jumped on the Lesnar bandwagon so quickly. By the time he walks into East Rutherford, N.J.’s IZOD Center for No Way Out, however, Triple H will be months removed from the incident that saw his arm break, and he will have had weeks to contemplate a response to Lesnar’s lawsuit. Presumably, The Game will have also consulted with WWE’s high-power legal team. Is it possible that the attorneys, perhaps looking to avert a drawn-out courtroom battle, recommend that Triple H acquiesce to Lesnar’s demands in full? Or, believing Lesnar to be a valuable commodity that’s worth the high risk, will The Game reconsider his previous stance and make a pitch for the only WWE, UFC and NCAA Heavyweight Champion in history to return again to the WWE fold? Despite the many glaring difficulties associated with trying to rein him in, the capricious Lesnar is an undeniable boon from a purely business perspective. And Triple H, in his capacity as COO, is always cognizant of WWE’s bottom line. Will he set aside his personal problems with Lesnar and reluctantly extend an olive branch? On the other hand, The Game’s tenure in the WWE C-Suite has been pocked with examples of reactionary outbursts. Is there any reason to think he can separate his professional and personal agendas now, especially when the stakes are as high as these? Furthermore, what can the WWE Universe expect from Triple H in terms of an update on his arm injury, and what will that prognosis mean for The Cerebral Assassin as a competitor? Even before Lensar cinched in the destructive Kimura Lock in April, Triple H was assuredly recuperating from his incomparably physical “End of an Era” Hell in a Cell Match against The Undertaker at WrestleMania XXVIII. On top of that, he had already reduced his in-ring dates this past year to concentrate on business matters. Might Triple H’s address at No Way Out turn out to be a swan song?

The Great White Hunt Begins

Mexican Aristocrat Alberto Del Rio will vie for SmackDown’s richest prize at No Way Out, when he challenges Sheamus one-on-one for the vaunted World Heavyweight Championship. After Sheamus impressively retained his title against Del Rio, Randy Orton and Chris Jericho in a hellacious Fatal 4-Way Match at WWE Over the Limit, there was one question that undoubtedly lingered in the minds of every Superstar in the SmackDown locker room: Who would emerge as the next challenger to The Great White’s World Heavyweight Championship? Ultimately, the answer came in the form of a No. 1 Contender’s Triple Threat Match on the May 25 edition of SmackDown. Per John Laurinaitis’ Executive Administrator Eve, the WWE Universe witnessed Orton, Del Rio and the monstrous Kane battle it out to determine who would face Sheamus at No Way Out – the first of such pay-per-view events since 2009. When Daniel Bryan distracted Kane during the bout, the preoccupied Big Red Monster ate an RKO from Orton that seemed to seal a victory for The Viper. However, Del Rio would soon capitalize by breaking up the pinfall and stealing a three-count victory over the prone Kane. The Mexican Aristocrat was quick to gloat about his questionably earned win, but Sheamus cut the celebration short when he ambushed Del Rio from behind on the entrance ramp. “I can’t wait to kick your head off at No Way Out!” The Great White warned as Del Rio writhed on the steel grating. A clearer statement could not have been made that night. Over the years, Sheamus has cemented himself as one of the most dominant brawlers in WWE, but he would be wise not to underestimate Del Rio. A former two-time WWE Champion, Del Rio has craftily dispatched the likes of Rey Mysterio, Big Show and John Cena, using his keen intellect, technical proficiency and ruthless demeanor to keep even the most decorated WWE Superstars on notice. Although sidelined due to injury last December, The Mexican Aristocrat fixed his gaze on the World Heavyweight Championship – and its bearer – immediately upon returning to SmackDown this past April. At No Way Out on Sunday, June 17, live on pay-per-view, Del Rio will finally get the one-on-one World Heavyweight Championship opportunity he has long felt entitled to – and Sheamus will face the level of competition he always craves.

Who is the biggest threat to CM Punk's WWE Championship?

Punk will have to deal with all three, in some form or another, at No Way Out when he defends his title against Kane and Bryan in a Triple Threat Match, and yet the answer is not as cut and dry as the WWE Universe might assume. Kane and Bryan are two wildly different breeds of Superstars with incredibly different motivations for wanting to square off against Punk. And AJ? Well, we can’t figure AJ out at all, which makes her just as much of a wild card as anyone. And when Punk has to contend with Bryan and Kane in the ring, with AJ likely lurking in his corner at No Way Out, it’s likely the WWE Universe is in for a wild set of twists and turns, with the champion besieged by threats to his reign from all sides. But who poses the biggest danger to Punk’s title?

The 15 Greatest Families In WWE History

Sure, sports-entertainment might not be the first thing that pops into your head when you think of a “family business.” But the fact of the matter is grapplers have been passing on the secrets of wristlocks and hammer throws to their offspring since the 1930s when a band of interrelated terrors known as The Dirty Duseks raised hell across Nebraska. Since then, the sons and daughters of sports-entertainment greats have inherited a passion for the squared circle the same way most of us inherit nearsightedness or male pattern baldness.

With second and third-generation talent in mind, WWE Classics set out to rank the 15 greatest families in WWE history, presented by Wrangler. Because when it comes to sports-entertainment, family matters.

#15 The DiBiases

Before he was The Million Dollar Man, Ted DiBiase was just a kid sitting in the bleachers as his father, “Iron” Mike DiBiase, grappled with Dory Funk, Sr. for nearly two hours and took on fight legend Archie Moore in a rare boxer versus wrestler bout. When the son entered the ring himself, he did his late father proud by becoming a key player in WWE’s rise to international prominence in the late-80s and early 1990s. Now a WWE Hall of Famer, The Million Dollar Man has been afforded an opportunity "Iron” Mike never had — the chance to watch his own boy in the ring as “Fortunate Son” Ted carries on the DiBiase name in WWE.

#14 The Colons

When you think of successful wrestling areas, look no further than Puerto Rico — home to the legendary wrestling family, The Colons. The patriarch is Carlos Colon, who is revered as an icon in his homeland. He always relied on the support of his fellow countrymen to guide him to victory over rivals like Bruiser Brody and Abdullah the Butcher in brutal battles during his lengthy career. Following in their father’s footsteps were Carlito and Primo, who, after competing in Puerto Rico, took their respective talents to WWE, where they captured the tag titles. In addition, this family boasts a talented young member whose uncle is Carlos Colon. Known as Epico, he has made his mark as part of a duo with cousin Primo.

#13 The Poffos

A wrestling family that needs no introduction, the Poffos put Downers Grove, Ill. on the map. For more than four decades, patriarch Angelo Poffo entertained audiences with his villainous style inside the ring. And his two sons followed suit after getting “the bug” from their dad. Younger son Lanny thrilled crowds for more than two decades under the name “Leaping” Lanny as well as his most recognized persona, The Genius. Then there was Randy Poffo, who began competing in 1973. After a baseball career fizzled out, the natural athlete created a charismatic persona known as Randy “Macho Man” Savage, and parlayed it into becoming one of the most successful performers in wrestling history. Macho Man was at the top of his game in WWE rings from 1985 through ’94, and in WCW until 2000. He was a two-time WWE Champion and a four-time WCW Champion.

#12 The Hennigs

No, the family’s surname isn’t Perfect, but it could have been. Best known to WWE fans through “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig, the Hennig family’s wrestling lineage begins with Larry “The Axe” Hennig. A rough, muscular bruiser who found his biggest fame in Verne Gagne’s American Wrestling Association, The Axe was so tough that he once had his knee bent backwards in a match and refused to go to the hospital. Larry’s son, Curt, was the type of rare talent who was born to be a sports-entertainer. Built for the squared circle, the 6’3”, 260-pound Hennig was the consummate technician, which he proved in classics against Bret “Hit Man” Hart. Today, the Hennig family legacy continues with former Nexus member Michael McGillicutty — a Superstar who is just waiting for the opportunity to show sports-entertainment fans how perfect he can be.

#11 The Vachons

One wrestling family that no one wanted to mess with was the Vachons. Led by brothers Maurice A.K.A. “Mad Dog” and Paul A.K.A. “Butcher," the unpredictability of both men was well known in the industry. For four decades, The Brothers Vachon wreaked havoc everywhere they went. Maurice was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2010. In addition, there were two female Vachon family members. Vivian Vachon was the sister of Maurice and Paul, and was a successful competitor mainly in the ’70s. And, of course, there was Paul’s daughter, Luna, whose unforgettable looks and volatility made her one of the most successful females in WWE rings in the ’90s.

#10 The Windhams

From the great state of Texas came a family that never backed down from a battle. The patriarch is Bob Windham — a feared grappler from the city of Eagle Pass who competed under the name Blackjack Mulligan. Mulligan was a rugged battler who had great success during a career that spanned from the late 1960’s until the mid-80s and eventually gained him entry into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006. Barry Windham, who like his father is a WWE Hall of Fame inductee (2012) was multi-talented. He could brawl, he could give you a technical battle, and he adjusted to his opponent’s style in a flash. Barry was also a member of The Four Horsemen, and is a former NWA World Champion. Younger brother Kendall also competed in rings from the mid 80’s through the ’90s.

#9 The Briscos

Ask an old school wrestling fan about Jack Brisco and they’ll tell you few were better. A sharply handsome Chickasaw Indian from Blackwell, Okla., Brisco became the first Native American to win an NCAA wrestling title as a junior at the University of Oklahoma. When he transitioned to professional wrestling, the technician beat Harley Race for the coveted NWA Title and then formed a renowned tag team with his brother, Gerald. Best known to current day sports-entertainment fans as one of Mr. McMahon’s “Attitude Era” stooges, Gerald was a mirror image of his masterful brother and the two captured tag titles across the country.

#8 The Rhodes

Known for getting “funky like a monkey” in legendary clashes with the likes of Ric Flair, Harley Race, and “Superstar” Billy Graham, “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes launched a wrestling dynasty that belied his humble beginnings as a plumber’s son. In a career spanning four decades, the 2007 WWE Hall of Famer captured illustrious titles such as the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and the vaunted United States Championship. Yet, even more impressive than Rhodes’ in-ring accolades was his ability to connect with crowds across the country despite lacking the chiseled physique and movie star good looks of many of his contemporaries. The charismatic Superstar went on to father two sons that would carry on his winning legacy: the strange and mysterious Goldust and the unpredictable Cody Rhodes. The half-brothers each went on to find success in WWE’s tag team division, and have earned five Intercontinental Championships between them. In fact, Cody’s first Intercontinental Title reign lasted more than 200 days – one of the longest in history.

#7 The Funks

There must be something in the water at The Double Cross Ranch in Amarillo, Texas, where The Funk family called home. Dory Funk, Sr. competed mainly in the southwestern United States before opening a promotion in Amarillo, where his sons, Dory Jr. and Terry, cut their teeth. When the brothers ventured out of the Texas plains and into the squared circle, they returned home with international acclaim. Dory Funk, Jr. defeated Gene Kiniski for the NWA World Championship in 1963 and successfully defended it for more than four years. Terry captured the same championship in 1975, holding it for more than a year. The brothers later teamed in WWE, making an appearance at WrestleMania 2. Terry, deemed “middle-aged and crazy” by his peers, had a career renaissance in the late ’80s. His “I Quit” Match against Ric Flair from Clash of the Champions IX is revered as a classic bout and his Barbed Wire Match against Sabu in ECW has to be seen to be believed. The Funk family’s blood, sweat and tears gave the ultimate return in 2009, when Terry and Dory Jr. were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

#6 The Guerreros

Gory Guerrero was such a despised villain in Mexico in the 1950s and ’60s that he grew accustomed to irate wrestling fans trying to stab him in the streets. His boys were a little better received. Hector, Mando and Chavo Guerrero — Gory’s three oldest sons — were a popular trio in territories across the United States and Mexico in the ’70s and ’80s. But it was the youngest son, Eddie, who would have the greatest impact. An international star as a cruiserweight, Guerrero became the first Mexican-American to win the WWE Title when he defeated Brock Lesnar for that coveted championship in 2004. Eddie’s nephew, Chavo, also found success in the ring, as did his wife, Vickie, who went from shy sweetheart to sports-entertainment’s most reviled figurehead seemingly overnight. Gory would be proud.

#5 The Ortons

One of the most skillful, yet rugged families are the Ortons. Spanning three generations, the lineage began with Bob Orton, Sr. who made a name for himself during the 1960s and ’70s. He was one of the first individuals to incorporate the piledriver into his arsenal of maneuvers. His son, Cowboy Bob Orton, entered into the industry in the early ’70s, competed in various wrestling organizations until had his ticket punched to enter WWE in 1984. One of the Cowboy’s great accomplishments was to have competed in the main event of the first WrestleMania in 1985. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005. And the Orton tradition continues with Randy Orton. A multi-time WWE Champion and World Heavyweight Champion, the man known as WWE’s “Apex Predator” has carved himself a WWE career that has contributed in making the Orton family one of sports-entertainment’s best recognized groupings.

#4 The Von Erichs

There’s something beautifully American about the Von Erich family name. Appropriated by a Texas wrestler named Jack Adkisson in the 1950s in order to enrage the sensitivities of post-World World II crowds, the surname would soon inspire those same fans when it was passed on to Jack’s handsome sons. The stars of Fritz’s Dallas-based World Class Championship Wrestling, Kevin, Kerry, David, Mike and Chris Von Erich were all-American boys who took a name meant to conjure up images of unspeakable evil and turned it into a symbol of Texas pride. Beloved in The Lone Star State for their unforgettable rivalry with the underhanded Freebirds, the Von Erich boys are known today for the tragic end four of them would meet, but they’re best remembered as they lived — wild, carefree and unmistakably Texan.

#3 The Anoaʻi / Maivias

On the islands of Samoa, everyone’s an “uso,” so apologies if some bloodlines get crossed in the lineage of the Anoa’i and Maivia wrestling families. Beginning with WWE Hall of Famer "High Chief" Peter Maivia and his wife, Lia, the family tree branches out to include such ring greats as “Soulman” Rocky Johnson, WWE tag team legends The Wild Samoans and The Usos. But out of all the World Tag Team Champions and WWE Hall of Famers this ancestry has produced, no Superstar was as revered as Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Honoring his father and grandfather with his original ring name of Rocky Maivia, WWE's first third-generation competitor combined the power of the Anoa'i family with the swagger of the Maivias to become the most charismatic Superstar of all time.

#2 The Harts

The Harts’ legacy began with patriarch Stu Hart’s founding of Calgary’s Stampede Wrestling in 1948, continued with Stu’s son, Bret “Hit Man” Hart, becoming one of the most beloved WWE Champions of all time, and remains with Bret’s niece Natalya staking claim on the Divas roster. The clan has won nearly every possible sanctioned championship in WWE on multiple occasions, and both Stu and Bret were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. The Hart Foundation first debuted in WWE during the 1980s when Bret and his brother-in-law Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart, Natalya’s father, battled Davey Boy Smith and The Dynamite Kid, who also became members of the family by marriage. At Survivor Series 1993, Bret and his brothers Owen, Keith and Bruce were victorious as a team, and Owen later defeated Bret in the main event of WrestleMania X. In 1997, The Hart Foundation was reborn with Bret, Owen, Neidhart and Davey Boy, and even hosted their own pay-per-view, Canadian Stampede, widely considered one of the finest in WWE history. 12 years later, the family reemerged in WWE as The Hart Dynasty , including Natalya and Davey Boy’s son David Hart Smith. And today, Natalya continues to represent the Harts’ storied legacy in WWE.

#1 The McMahons

The McMahon name has long been synonymous with sports-entertainment, but few realize the family was involved in professional wrestling since before the first television was even invented. In the 1920s, Jess McMahon began promoting matches in the New York City area during the industry's early boom. When he died in 1954, his son, Vincent, took over the business and became one of the most respected and admired promoters. For Jess and Vince, Madison Square Garden was their home, but that regional base was expanded in the 1980s when Mr. McMahon took what would become WWE from an eastern attraction to an international powerhouse. Not just sports-entertainment’s greatest promoter, but one of the genre’s biggest stars, the mastermind behind WrestleMania’s in-ring battles with “Stone Cold” Steve Austin brought his company record television ratings and box-office receipts. His kids pitched in too as both Shane and Stephanie McMahon as key players both in the squared circle and at the corporate offices. With Stephanie's 2003 marriage to Triple H, the family lineage extended to include not only sports-entertainment's greatest minds, but one of the ring's biggest legends.

John Cena VS Brock Lesnar - Extreme Rules 2012

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The Rock

Dwayne Douglas Johnson (born on May 2, 1972), also known by his ring name The Rock, is an American actor and professional wrestler who is signed to WWE, appearing on the Raw brand. He is often credited as Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Johnson is widely considered one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time. He won a total of 16 championships in WWF/E. This included nine World Heavyweight Championships, two WWF Intercontinental Championships, and five times as co-holder of the WWF Tag Team Championships. He was the sixth WWF/E Triple Crown Champion, and the winner of the 2000 Royal Rumble.

Epico

Orlando Colón (born on March 24, 1982) is a Puerto Rican professional wrestler. He began working in Hybrid Pro Wrestling, an independent circuit in Schoolcraft, Michigan. In 2006, Colón debuted in the World Wrestling Council, a promotion owned by his uncle, Carlos Colón. His cousins are Primo and former WWE wrestler, Carlito. While working with WWC, he had a brief participation in Pro Wrestling Zero1. In January 2010, Colón left the WWC after signing a development contract with WWE where he appears as Epico on their Raw brand, where he is currently one-half of the WWE Tag Team Champions with his real-life cousin Primo.