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.

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.