One ring, five men, 20 minutes. It’s all sure to add up to one of the most unpredictable matches in WWE history.
Raw General Manager Mike Adamle announced what he dubbed a “Championship Scramble” Match for Unforgiven. In what promises to be a thrilling World Heavyweight Title bout, reigning champion CM Punk and four former World Champions – Batista, Kane, JBL and Rey Mysterio – will battle in the ring at the same time for 20 minutes.
Once the clock starts, it’s every man for himself. If any of the Superstars scores a pinfall or submission on any of their competitors, they become the current champion. But that’s not nearly the end of it.
The championship can change hands several times throughout the 20-minute time frame. Whoever the champion is when the clock stops will officially be recognized as the World Heavyweight Champion.
General Rules of the match:
The match has a 20-minute time limit. Two randomly selected participants will start the match, with a new challenger entering the match every five minutes.
If a Superstar scores a pinfall or submission on any other Superstar in the match, he is declared the "interim" champion for match purposes (and is not officially recognized as champion in the title history). He holds that designation until another Superstar scores a subsequent pinfall or submission on any other Superstar.
The last Superstar to earn a pinfall or submission within the time limit will be officially declared the World Heavyweight Champion.
Originally scheduled to appear in this chaotic contest was John Cena, but due to an injury, the Chain Gang Commander will not be able to participate. Moving quickly, Raw’s General Manager pulled in another former World Champion: Rey Mysterio, who has been missing from the Raw brand in recent months, due to a brutal attack by Kane, if the Big Red Monster’s claims are to be believed.
While current champion Punk fended off title challenges by Batista and more recently showed his resilience against JBL, none of those trials can compare to the carnage the fighting champion is certain to face when he sets foot in the ring at Unforgiven.
With so many heated rivalries ricocheting throughout the Quicken Loans Arena, who will get caught in the crossfire? How will alliances form and falter? And just who among the five will emerge victorious when the final bell sounds?