At SummerSlam, World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Hardy will put his title on the line against former World Champion CM Punk in a Tables, Ladders and Chairs Match.

The match of Extreme proportions was born out of epic circumstances. Five days after CM Punk lost his World title to Hardy at Night of Champions, he viciously attacked the war-torn Charismatic Champion on SmackDown. The following week, before the two Superstars were supposed to have their World Heavyweight Championship rematch, they attacked each other in a state of absolute bedlam. Amidst the mass hysteria, WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon emerged, declaring that he would name a “special guest enforcer” to ensure order in their championship rematch later that night.

When the special enforcer turned out to be Jeff’s estranged brother, Matt Hardy, the WWE Universe sat on the edge of their seats in disbelief, wondering how his presence would affect the outcome of the match. But none of them were prepared for what they were about to see. Shortly after getting inadvertently kicked by Punk, Matt stopped the referee from delivering the three-count on Jeff, thereby denying Punk a possible victory. As Matt confronted Punk in the ring, Jeff rolled his opponent up, leading to a surprise three-count by his older brother.

An enraged CM Punk then viciously attacked Jeff for the second week in a row. SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long responded by making the blockbuster announcement that Jeff Hardy would face CM Punk for the title at SummerSlam in the TLC Match.

Jeff Hardy is quite simply a master of the Tables, Ladders & Chairs Match. The event itself, which Hardy helped to pioneer, is tailor-made for his Extreme personality. Although some claim that he is too reckless and takes too many chances, it is his outrageous nature fused with Extreme matches like TLC that have gotten him to the top of the mountain. But, will the World Champion bring the same reckless intensity now that he has so much to lose?

CM Punk is The Straightedge Superstar with fury in his eyes, driven by an undeniable thirst to get his gold back. He has used his focus, dedication, and exceptional skill to conquer the Extreme before, winning two, back-to-back Money in the Bank Ladder Matches at WrestleMania, both of which led to World Championship reigns. The anger that he feels toward The Charismatic Champion, which has led directly to his recent acts of ruthless aggression, fully demonstrates his intention to win the title at any cost. Despite his proven skill with the ladder, how will he fair once the Extreme elements are intensified by the power of two?

Find out who will overcome the wrath of the TLC to capture the gold, Sunday, Aug. 23 at 8/7 CT, only on pay-per-view.