A snow covered path in Atlanta, Georgia. Marathon sprinting was nothing new to World Champion CM Punk. But today he had picked an even more grueling path to run across. All in preparation for another harrowing, brutal Pay Per View match. Those seemed to be a monthly ordeal for him and this month was no different. Shirtless and in a black pair of shorts, he chugged a near empty bottle of water before tossing it aside. He wiped some sweat from his shaved head and folded back his shoulders. His tattooed body was lean and the result of strict conditioning. When you went through as many violent matches as he had lately, it was an absolute necessity. Tree's covered in ice and snow was his backdrop as he began to speak.
CM Punk: "I hear the talk that's been going around. Everyone's saying that my mouth talked me into my current situation. Well, that's fine. Because my knee's, elbows, fists and feet have always been able to get me out of any predicament with pretty stellar results."
Punk lifted one of his elbows and gave it a smirk, lightly patting against the bone.
CM Punk: "I was just doing what I always do. I was watching a monitor and trying not to go comatose from the annual 'I'm gonna win the Rumble!' chat fest. Tidious, isn't it? I was afraid that everyone out there was going to get lockjaw from flapping their gums so much so that I saw fit to intervene. I was just going to stroll out there, verbally eviscerate a bunch of guys I've already beaten, and ride off into the sunset. Just to let reaffirm my earlier statement that the prize for winning the Rumble is not a Wrestle Mania main event. It's a beat down from CM Punk in front of the biggest audience of the year"
He held up one of his fingers. Something had popped into his head and he didn't want it to escape him.
CM Punk: "Oh, and before I forget, young Randal Orton claimed I haven't beaten him before. I guess that ass kicking I gave him in the final four of the King of the Ring was so severe that he completely forgot about me doing just that only a few short months ago. But, hey, I'll chalk that up to a testament to my concussion inducing wrestling abilities and not his fault and selective memory."
Following that history lesson, he proceeded to carry on.
CM Punk: "Anyway, I thought I was finished tearing through this rouge's gallery until Chris Jericho decided to rear his Jon Bon Jovi-ish mug into the equation. I thought the issue between myself and Chris was water under the bridge but I guess he's still holding a grudge. Sure, he suffered a lot of gang beat downs because of me last year but he screwed me over at 'Mania so I figured we were all square."
Punk and current GM had waged war against one another for several months not terribly long ago.
CM Punk: "Guess not. Because King Jericho threw down his latest hair brained proclamation. I had a nice, comfy chair ready to kick back in and watch the Rumble with but those plans are right out the window. I've got two scenario's that will happen. If I defeat my handpicked opponent, I've got a free ride all the way to Mania. But if I lose, I have to defend my title every week for about two months times."
A slow nod was given as The Second City Saint began to understand the gravity of his situation. An unenviable task for any champion.
CM Punk: "Given my opponent and his history, I'm starting to get a sinking feeling. Like I'm being set-up. Because my opponent is someone I know very well. My opponent is Raven. And Raven and I have a very lengthy history together. Back when I fist showed up in EBWF, when I still had my Charles Manson fetish, Raven was a part of the little group I called 'The Family'. It was supposed to be a changing of the guards type of deal. Raven was supposed to be there to lend his guidance to me and groom me for the spot he formerly held. He was in the twilight of his career and it only made since that someone younger, faster, stronger and smarter should move up the ranks."
Punk shook his head while recalling his early days in the company and his time spent as stablemates with poet of the macabre.
CM Punk: "But it didn't work out that way. Raven wasn't feeling his elder statesman role and wanted more. So I sent his ass packing right out of the group and I figured I would never have to see him again. One of those rare instances where I was wrong. Because Raven went out, found Brian Kendrick, and got him to infiltrate The Family so he could have his revenge. The guy is old as dirt but still an evil genius. So I'm beginning to wonder..is this another one of his plots? Has he been manipulating Jericho the entire time? You never know with this guy. But he wasn't smart enough to put that supposedly massive IQ of his to use and realize that you can't trust Brian Kendrick. Because the last time I recall seeing Raven, I remember Kendrick throwing him through a car window."
Punk shrugged his shoulders. Two of his least favorite people turning on him did bring a small grin to his face however.
CM Punk: "So if anyone has any beef with the terrible things Kendrick did when he was around, you can go blame Raven. Mr. Puppet Master is back and I've got to get through him to get my sweet, vacation until Mania. And I've got to do it in a Clockwork Orange House of Fun match. "Ya know, my favorite movie is Slapstick but you don't see me going around naming my specialty matches after it. I guess it wouldn't really sound as cool either way. I do know that this flick is all about 'ultra violence' and that's Raven's bread and butter. But look at these last few months. I've been in some matches that I definitely think can be described as ultra violent. I'm not afraid of Raven. I'm not afraid whatever Quentin Tarantino like revenge scheme he's been cooking up all of this time. I'm not afraid of what he's planning on doing to me. Because I can every bit of a sick, twisted, monster as he can and that's exactly what I'm going to have to do to win this match."
That main event was obviously what was fueling Punk at this point. The one thing left in his mind that he felt he had left to accomplish.
CM Punk: "There aren't any lengths I won't go to make it to Mania's main event. A defense every week for two months? That's a hell of a road block. But I've built my entire career on smashing my way straight through road blocks. So let Raven bring whatever he wants. Tables, kendo sticks, chairs, thumb tacks..it doesn't matter to me. I'll use them all to wipe him straight off the face of the Earth and right back to whatever grave he dug himself out of. That main event is mine and I've got no problems ending Raven's long, illustrious career to get it. Quote CM Punk: NEVERMORE."
Raven's signature crucifix pose was mocked as Punk spread his arms like Jesus Christ on the cross. The scene faded from there.
