It’s not surprising that CM Punk cites the radical “Rowdy” Roddy Piper as a childhood influence. After all, Punk is the embodiment of the anti-establishment, whose skill at igniting verbal “pipe bombs” is rivaled only by “Hot Rod” himself.Today, Punk is headlining pay-per-views — and he’s doing so in spite of the events of 2011, when he assailed Mr. McMahon with his blunt opinions about the business and made a bold promise not to renew his contract with the company. Punk’s criticism struck a ner

Dolph Ziggler is the kind of guy that makes other guys clutch their girlfriends a little closer. Not that it would help — the guy is slimier than his slicked-back blond hair.An accomplished amateur wrestler, Ziggler set school records for wins at St. Edward’s High School in Ohio, and again at Kent State University before parlaying his skills into a WWE contract. In 2008, this braggart first introduced himself to the WWE Universe by glad-handing every Superstar on Raw. Successfully introduced to

Really, now. Who ever saw John Cena coming? When he debuted on SmackDown in June 2002, he was just a beefy guy in purple trunks. Within a year of his introduction, he transformed into the battle-rapping, chain-wielding “Doctor of Thuganomics.” Now, he’s the biggest star in WWE — but he’s also the most polarizing.

First introduced to TV audiences as one of the seven strangers on “The Real World: Back to New York,” The Miz parlayed his reality TV fame into a legitimate WWE career. And for those who think he’s a fluke, just ask him. He’ll tell you he’s not … and he’s right. Miz’s first taste of WWE cred came alongside John Morrison, as the duo won the WWE Tag Team Championships and the attention of WWE fans on their WWE.com web series, “The Dirt Sheet.” The team was split up thanks to the 2009 WWE Draft a

R-Truth might just be the kookiest person outside of a padded cell. After making his debut in WWE as spirited renegade known for his ringside rapping, Truth excited WWE fans young and old with his explosive offense and energetic entrance. But, it wasn’t long before a darker side of the Superstar began to take hold. The truth, as he claims, set him free, but from the perspective of the rest of the WWE Universe, R-Truth slowly tilted toward madness in 2011.WWE’s funniest, wackiest superstar.

Randy Orton was born a WWE Superstar. As dangerous as he is solo, Orton was arguably even more so lethal when paired with Edge as half of Rated-RKO in 2004 and with The Legacy’s Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase throughout the “Age of Orton” in 2009. More recently, The Viper’s chosen to partner with internal voices stirred by Intermittent Explosive Disorder, a disease marked by extreme outbursts of rage.

He stands only 5-foot-6 and barely weighs 175 pounds, but a lack of size hasn’t stopped the incomparable Rey Mysterio from achieving giant dreams, like capturing the WWE Championship or outlasting 30 Superstars to win the Royal Rumble. Whether he’s standing up to a dangerous giant like Kane or flying down from the top of a steel cage, The Ultimate Underdog is a competitor who refuses to be intimidated.Trained in the proud Mexican tradition of lucha libre before he was even old enough to drive,

WWE is in Roman Reigns Blood.The son of WWE Hall of Famer Sika of The Wild Samoans, Reigns is a member of the storied Anoa’i wrestling familyIn the heat of a Triple Threat Match between WWE Champion CM Punk, John Cena and Ryback, Reigns hit the ring alongside fellow WWE NXT competitors Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins and unleashed a merciless attack on the mighty Ryback. Tearing at the beast like a pack of hungry jackals, the young competitors ruined Ryback’s opportunity to win the WWE Title.

How can anyone measure such an intimidating beast in comparison to the rest of his WWE competition? Few words may deem suitable as he starts to make his mark in the ring by leaving a long line of battered opponents in his wake. And after coming to the rescue of such WWE luminaries as Mick Foley, Jim Ross and WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon, the fledgling behemoth proved his intimidating presence can make any competitor back down — including WWE Champion CM Punk.

With a red-hot temper that matches his fiery head of hair, Sheamus never backs down from a fight, and has never been in one he didn’t think he could win.After journeying from The Land of the Extreme to Monday Night Raw in October 2009, Sheamus ravenously sunk his teeth into the competition, engaging in a high-profile rivalry with John Cena in pursuit of the WWE Championship. At WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs, the ginger-headed juggernaut clashed with the Cenation leader in a pine-splintering

He’s The King of Kings, a nickname with no hint of exaggeration considering that Triple H is essentially WWE royalty. From his days as a Greenwich snob, to his era-defining run as a co-founder of D-Generation X, to the time he spent shepherding future main eventers Randy Orton and Batista toward WWE greatness in Evolution, Triple H hasn’t just existed on the cutting edge, he’s been the one sharpening the blade.A 13-time World Champion, The Game has clashed with a litany of ring legends to seize

For more than two decades, The Deadman has loomed over the WWE landscape like a menacing shadow, spelling out doom for those who dare cross him. Imbued with seemingly mystical abilities and preternatural in-ring ability, The Undertaker is a WWE great in a class by himself, and no list of legends would be complete without him.First introduced at 1990’s Survivor Series, The Phenom debuted as the final member of Ted DiBiase's "Million Dollar Team." It wasn’t long before he began to battle with Hulk

Trained in bare-knuckle brawling on the mean streets of Preston, England, Wade Barrett brings strength, arrogance and cunning to the ring in equal measure. He’s also imbued with confidence and eloquence, character traits that have propelled the cocky young Brit to the top ranks in WWE. Since coming to WWE prominence as the winner of WWE NXT season one, Barrett has proven he’s not content merely to share the spotlight with his fellow Superstars. He wants total control, and he’s willing to do