The Straightedge Champion’s collision with The Phenom first came into being at SummerSlam. Just moments after The Straightedge Superstar had triumphed over Jeff Hardy in a brutal TLC Match to capture the World Title, his smug celebration turned into horrifying darkness in the form of the rematerializing Deadman. The frightening sound of a gong seemed to make time stand still. A collective rush of electricity ripped its way though the capacity crowd. And then, the lights went out on CM Punk. Within seconds, The Deadman appeared in the fallen Hardy’s place, raising once again and chokeslamming an instant claim onto the newly-crowned World Champion.

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Following his SummerSlam triumph, a gloating CM Punk returned to SmackDown as the “only Straightedge Champion in WWE History.” When The Charismatic Enigma interrupted his celebration, promising to end Punk’s reign in their steel cage rematch, Punk proposed the loser be thrown out of WWE. As the shocked WWE Universe stood witness, Hardy accepted the huge gamble. SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long arrived to set the stipulation in stone. He then dropped a bombshell, stating that at the brand new pay-per-view WWE Breaking Point, where every main event will be a submission match, the winner of the steel cage clash would face Undertaker for the World Heavyweight Championship.

Later that night, after years of incredible feats of reckless abandon, fate finally caught up with Jeff Hardy in a moment of tragic irony. After blocking the high-flying specialist’s climb to victory, the World Heavyweight Champion superplexed him from high atop of the cage. Hardy battled back heroically, trying to prevent his adversary from getting over the cage with every fiber of his being. But a thumb to the eye by Punk sealed his fate, allowing The Straightedge Superstar to retain his title while simultaneously vanquishing the amazing Jeff Hardy from the WWE ring. After Hardy delivered a heartfelt goodbye to the WWE Universe, the ruthless Punk added insult to injury, attacking the departing Superstar from behind with the World title.

As a result of the SmackDown main event, World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk will face the returning Undertaker at WWE Breaking Point.

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In an in-ring encounter earlier in the night, CM Punk once again lectured Jeff Hardy and the WWE Universe about the straightedge lifestyle. But, Punk paid the price when he tried to knock the champion from atop a ladder in the middle of the ring. The egregious actions prompted the high-flyer to crush the No. 1 contender with a Twist of Fate.

The night’s main event featured the reunited Hardy brothers, who proved they are once again a force to be reckoned with in WWE. A fired-up Matt Hardy took care of business by dropping No. 1 contender CM Punk with a Twist of Fate to get the pinfall for his team. Does the win give World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Hardy the momentum he needs to successfully defend his title against Punk this Sunday?

CM Punk is The Straightedge Superstar with fury in his eyes, driven by an undeniable thirst to get his gold back. He has used his focus, dedication, and exceptional skill to conquer the Extreme before, winning two, back-to-back Money in the Bank Ladder Matches at WrestleMania, both of which led to World Championship reigns. The anger that he feels toward The Charismatic Champion, which has led directly to his recent acts of ruthless aggression, fully demonstrates his intention to win the title at any cost. Despite his proven skill with the ladder, how will he fair once the Extreme elements are intensified by the power of two?

Find out who will overcome the wrath of the TLC to capture the gold, Sunday, Aug. 23 at 8/7 CT, only on pay-per-view. For more SummerSlam check out the official website.

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After his vicious attack on Jeff Hardy last week, CM Punk expounded on his own TLC attributes, insisting that he would prove victorious in the World Heavyweight Championship Match at SummerSlam (match preview). After the former champion promised to “end Jeff Hardy,” SmackDown General Manger Theodore Long stepped into the ring to refute Punk’s claims that the injured Hardy may be too hurt to compete at the pay-per-view. The war-torn Charismatic Champion himself then slowly emerged to echo Long’s statement, promising to defeat Punk in nine days time. (VIDEO | PHOTOS) Though it seemed Hardy would be out of action for the night, WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon soon dropped a bombshell by phone, ordering that, despite his injuries, the World Champion would have face The Hart Dynasty in a Handicap Match.

Though Hardy fought heroically, the 2-on-1 disadvantage proved too much for the injured champion, as he finally succumbed to the Dynasty’s Hart Attack. When The Straightedge Superstar emerged to execute a post-match onslaught on his SummerSlam opponent, John Morrison rushed down to Hardy’s defense. But the pair still found themselves outgunned once Punk incorporated the steel chair. Then, to the surprise and delight of the WWE Universe, Matt Hardy suddenly burst onto the scene. After working to clear the ring, the elder Hardy extended an arm to help his brother up, igniting an explosive roar from the ecstatic WWE Universe.

Back in his office, SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long made the monumental announcement to Mr. McMahon that next week on SmackDown, CM Punk & The Hart Dynasty will face John Morrison and Matt & Jeff Hardy.

The third time proved to be a charm for The Straightedge Superstar. After suffering two separate pinfalls at the hands of The Friday Night Delight in recent weeks, the No. 1 contender to the World Heavyweight Championship foiled Morrison’s second attempt at Starship Pain and hit the GTS.

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Before the bell could ring to start their World Heavyweight Championship rematch, Jeff Hardy and CM Punk attacked each other, quickly bringing the WWE Universe into a state of absolute bedlam. Amidst the mass hysteria, WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon emerged, declaring that the two Superstars would still have a World Heavyweight Championship Match with a “special guest enforcer,” handpicked by The Chairman himself.

Later that night, to the shock of the WWE Universe, Matt Hardy emerged as Mr. McMahon’s special guest enforcer. While Jeff was confronting his brother outside the ring, Punk used the distraction to attempt an attack on his adversary. But when Jeff moved, it was his elder brother that took the hit instead. Moments later, when it looked like Punk may pin the World Champion, Matt pulled the referee out of the ring. As Matt confronted Punk, Jeff rolled his opponent up and the guest enforcer himself counted Punk’s shoulders to the canvas. The former ECW Champion then left without further action or comment.

Following the bell, an enraged CM Punk viciously attacked Hardy for the second week in a row, ruthlessly incorporating a chair to catastrophic ends. SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long responded by making the blockbuster announcement that Jeff Hardy would again face CM Punk for the title at SummerSlam, in a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs Match.

Hardy basked in the glow of his first successful title defense, CM Punk came to the ring to apparently congratulate Hardy by raising his arm in victory. But then, in an ugly display of poor sportsmanship, The Straightedge Superstar viciously assaulted Hardy amidst a chorus of boos from the WWE Universe. The crazed ex-champion reigned down blow upon blow on Hardy, leaving him battered and beaten on the arena floor. Then, just when it appeared Punk was done, he attacked Hardy again, tossing his helpless body across the announce table and onto the arena floor.