CM Punk vs. Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel & Paul Heyman (Handicap Elimination Match) - WWE Night of Champions 2013

photo courtesy: wwe.com

CM Punk wants to get his hands on Paul Heyman so bad as if it's the last thing he wants. "The Best in the World" is so obsessed in destroying his one-time friend that he went to Raw General Manager Brad Maddox's office and demanded an match against Heyman at Night of Champions on Sept. 15. This incident happened after the Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel and Paul Heyman handcuffed Punk and brutally attacked him on Aug, 26th episode of Raw (Watch).

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Brad Maddox added an stipulation to Punk's desired match by naming it a Handicap Elimination Match. Which means, Punk has to gain two pinfalls to win. This stipulation some-what works in Punk's favor where he can face Heyman in an one-on-one situation. Maddox also added by saying that if Heyman tries to get out of the match, Punk will never see him ever again.

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Over the past weeks, Heyman has avoided being in the same ring with Punk. The Second City Saint holds some retribution towards Heyman for his interference at "The Best vs. The Beast" match with Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam (Watch). At Night of Champions Heyman's running time is over. Being an third superstar involved: Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel. "The Best in the World" has faced the third generation superstar many time over the past few weeks, every time they faced each other Axel gets a sneak-peak into Punk's strategy. Will the confident Axel leave the WWE Universe speechless by pinning Punk in protecting Heyman back?

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Punk's focused on destroying the distraction factor Heyman has cost him his match against Lesnar. Will it happen again when he faces the confident Axel? Or will Axel be just an appetizer for Punk before he faces Heyman in an one-on-one beatdown?

Paul Heyman Will Make Curtis Axel a Star in the WWE

Paul Heyman will make third-generation superstar Curtis Axel a star in the WWE.

The current Intercontinental champion captured his prize at Payback, pinning former champion Wade Barrett in a Triple Threat match. It seemed there was nothing left for Axel other than to float in the midcard spot. However, opportunity has knocked for the champion courtesy of his manager.

Heyman represents Axel and Brock Lesnar while remaining friends with CM Punk. Lesnar attacked Punk three weeks ago on Raw, leading to dissension between Punk and Heyman.

Thanks to Lesnar’s limited dates in his contract, Punk can’t feud with him on a weekly basis. Enter Curtis Axel.

Axel saved Punk at Heyman’s request from a two-on-one attack from the Prime Time Players. Punk doesn’t trust Axel but trusts Heyman. It almost represents the fans’ faith in him, or lack thereof.

Axel hasn’t been setting the world on fire and didn't have a bombastic debut as The Shield and Fandango did. Even the Wyatt Family, who arrive next week on Raw, are getting more press.

The WWE and Heyman carefully orchestrated this for one reason: the slow burn. It takes time for a WWE Superstar to last in the fans’ eyes. It’ll take more time with Axel, who has a legacy to uphold while making his own name.

Heyman will make Axel a star because of the slow burn. He understands the fans won’t rally behind Axel yet. But, Heyman is that brilliant wrestling genius. He still showed the world he could captivate the audience and sell his clients’ potential.

Heyman’s alliance with Axel is a long-term project. He’s not an established guy like Lesnar and Punk. In time, Curtis Axel will become a WWE star.

Axel already captured the Intercontinental title. He can do more with Paul Heyman on his side. Expect Curtis Axel to stick around, all thanks to Paul Heyman.

source: bleacherreport.com