Ryback Presses Punk
Ryback preparing to throw WWE Champion CM Punk out of the ring, only six days before the two meet at Hell in a Cell. WWE.com

WWE Champion CM Punk will face Ryback at the “Hell in a Cell” Pay-Per-View on Sunday, Oct. 28. The two will wrestle with the title on the line.

Punk has held the championship for almost a year, winning it from Alberto Del Rio on Nov. 20, 2011. Since then, he has successfully defended the title at the last nine PPV events.

Now, Punk faces a relative unknown in Ryback. He took the place of John Cena in the main event, when the company’s biggest star went down with elbow surgery.

Ryback has never held a belt, or even fought for a title at a PPV. Because of Ryback’s lack of experience and Punk’s historic title run, the current champ is an overwhelming favorite to win the match.

One of the biggest superstars in WWE history, however, doesn’t agree with the public. Chris Jericho spoke to Dave Lagreca and Mike Riker on “Busted Open” on Sirius XM Radio, and said he thinks that Ryback will be the new champ.

"I don't know anything and I don't work for the WWE. I haven't talked to Vince in about a month. But I personally think and this is something that obviously Busted Open Radio has very hardcore wrestling fans who are listening as we all are. The number one thing people bitch about is that there is nothing new and it's the same old same old with John Cena. This is the chance to create a new guy. This is the chance to make a new star instantly, and I know tradition says you must build a star. There is no tradition in a case like this.”

Jericho left the WWE in August in order to tour full-time with his rock band, Fozzy. He fought Punk at WrestleMania XXVIII.

Since Ryback debuted earlier this year, he has yet to lose a match. He’s often been compared to Goldberg, who had a similar rise, a decade ago. While wrestling at WCW, Goldberg’s undefeated streak made him one of the most popular figures in the industry.

Ryback’s popularity seems to be growing every day. At 6-foot-3 and 290 pounds, he has quickly become one of the WWE’s top baby faces. His “Feed Me More” slogan is often chanted by fans during “Monday Night Raw.”

If Ryback does defeat Punk, it could create a very interesting next couple of months. The Rock is scheduled to fight the WWE champion at the Royal Rumble in the beginning of 2013. Many had expected Punk to retain the title until then, but a Ryback victory could change the company’s plans.