WWE Champion CM Punk to Miss TLC After Knee Surgery

CM Punk underwent knee surgery on Monday, and is expected to miss The Tables, Ladders and Chairs PPV, as a result. The event is scheduled to take place on Sunday Dec. 16 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Renowned surgeon Dr. James Andrews completed a scope of Punk’s left knee, according to wwe.com. He trimmed a cartilage tear in the wrestler’s knee, and a return in less than two weeks seems unlikely.

Punk reportedly suffered the injury a few weeks ago, but has performed on every “Monday Night Raw” since. Athletes who undergo the same procedure are typically able to practice one or two weeks after the surgery.

Punk is the current WWE champion and in the midst of a historic title run. Tuesday marks the 380th day of his championship reign, which ties John Cena for the longest title run in the past 25 years.

The main event of TLC was scheduled to be CM Punk vs. Ryback, with the WWE title belt on the line. Punk has beaten Ryback in the main event of the past few PPV’s, with interference from the referee and other wrestlers.

A match to replace the one between Punk and Ryback will be announced this Friday night on "SmackDown."