As 2012 comes to a close, the entire landscape of WWE is undergoing a huge change as WWE Champion CM Punk finds himself unable to defend his title at WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs, and The Shield is scheduled for its first official match. What will unfold on the last Raw before the final pay-per-view event of the year? Here are five things to watch for tonight at 8/7 CT on USA Network. Plus, don't miss the return of Disney's The Muppets as Social Media Ambassadors!

How long will CM Punk’s reign last?

WWE Champion CM Punk has ridden a huge wave of success since first capturing the WWE Championship at Survivor Series 2011. Even after controversial title matches at this year’s Hell in a Cell and Survivor Series, Punk found a way to keep his coveted title. And after recently surpassing John Cena’s 380-day title reign, Punk became the longest-reigning WWE Champion of the last 25 years. ( CHARTING PUNK’S REIGN)

But things can change in the blink of an eye in WWE, and Punk’s recent surgery is a perfect example. ( ARE LONG TITLE REIGN’S CURSED?) With Punk no longer defending his title at WWE TLC as per Mr. McMahon ( FULL STORY), just how long can he hold on to his title? When will The Second City Saint be back at 100 percent and ready to compete again? Do you think the recovering CM Punk should relinquish the WWE Championship? ( VOTE NOW) On Monday’s Raw, will the WWE Universe know more about the fate of the WWE Championship?

Is Cena poised to capture the World Heavyweight Title?

While Punk’s momentum has come to a dead halt, John Cena’s wave of success only continues to build up steam. And with the Ladder Match for the World Heavyweight Championship Money in the Bank contract against Dolph Ziggler at WWE TLC looming, Cena is salivating at the chance to get back in the title hunt. Will Ziggler live to regret Raw Managing Supervisor Vickie Guerrero caving in to Mr. McMahon’s persuading her to put Ziggler’s championship contract on the line? With his contract in jeopardy, what might Ziggler do as a preemptive strike on Raw?

Who is next in The Shield’s sights?

On Raw, The Shield brutalized WWE Tag Team Champions Daniel Bryan & Kane. Then in the trio’s first appearance on SmackDown, they brutalized Team Hell No once again. At WWE TLC, the monstrous Ryback will join forces with Team Hell No to battle The Shield. Before the big clash, with The Shield be looking for one more opportunity to strike against its TLC opponents? Are they really on a mission of justice in WWE? If so, who is next to feel its wrath?

Will AJ Lee continue her winning ways?

After suffering a sneak attack at Tamina Snuka’s hand at Survivor Series, former Raw General Manage AJ Lee defeated the dominant Diva one-on-one on last week’s Raw. ( PHOTOS) Is the big victory a sign of things to come for AJ within the squared circle? The opportunity is there for the diminutive Diva to make a name for herself that has nothing to do with managing Raw … or being caught up in the “AJ scandal.” ( EVOLUTION OF THE DIVAS DIVISION)

Who most needs to gain momentum before WWE TLC?

It’s the last Raw before the final pay-per-view of the year and every Superstar is going to be looking for ways to increase his chances for victory at TLC. Dolph Ziggler will be fighting to prevent John Cena from seizing his championship contract. Sheamus will be looking for a way to dethrone World Heavyweight Champion Big Show and get the World Title back in his possession. Wade Barrett will be eager to wrest Kofi Kingston’s Intercontinental Championship from him. And Team Hell No, along with Ryback, will be looking to squash The Shield. Who wants it most? Tune in Monday at 8/7 CT on USA Network. ( VOTE NOW: WHO NEEDS THE MOST MOMENTUM?)