Match of the Week: CM Punk vs John Cena (WWE Money in the Bank 2011)

Match of the Week: CM Punk vs John Cena (WWE Money in the Bank 2011)

Five years ago, CM Punk gave the pipe bomb heard around the world thus kickstarting WWE version "Summer of Punk" storyline leading to this match against John Cena for WWE World Heavyweight title. Outside the ring Punk's contract was coming up and set to expire after Money in the Bank. There been talks of him not going to re-sign with WWE after the show. After he gave his infamous pipe bomb shoot promo he became most talked about wrestler with wrestlers, fans, and the media. With realism of his contract status up in the air gave main event of Money in the Bank huge buzz which was held in his hometown of Chicago. During the build he proclaim himself as "The Voice of the Voiceless." Vince McMahon threaten to fire John Cena if he does not beat Punk making it high stakes. Cena fighting for the company. Punk fighting for himself and the voices of the voiceless.

Big question mark is what's going to happen at the match. Will they straight up wrestle for clean finish? DQ finish? Be another screwjob finish? Bunch of crazy possibilities going into the match.

In the match these two put on 40 minute clinic trying out beat each other for the WWE World Heavyweight title. The loud rabid Chicago crowd fully backing their hometown guy and booing John Cena over each move they performed. The commentary was golden as they talk about possible impact if Punk wins. Vince McMahon sent John Laurenitis to screw CM Punk, but John Cena would not let it happen. Punk hits Cena with Go 2 Sleep for the win and WWE World Heavyweight title. Soon Vince sic Alberto del Rio on Punk only to eat a kick to the head. Punk escaped to the wild hometown crowd celebrating.

Behind the scenes Punk did re-sign with WWE on day of the show, but Summer of Punk storyline continued. He posted a picture of WWE World Heavyweight title in his fridge then crashing Wizard World panel that was hosted by Triple H. The angle and storyline fizzled out going into Summerslam. The months, June and July of 2011, produced one hell of entertaining RAW moment and great match at Money in the Bank.

CM Punk vs John Cena (Money In The Bank 2011)

Rebel's Top 10 Wrestling Matches of the Year - Part 2 (1-5)

This is part 2 of my 2012 Top 10 wrestling matches of the year. They are based on matches and shows I saw throughout the year. You can part 1 here. This list ranked no. 1-5.

 5. John Cena vs Brock Lesnar - WWE Extreme Rules

This match is far different than the cookie-cutter matches WWE puts out. The entire match had a big time fight club feel with a cocky Brock overpowering and completely destroying over-confident Cena most of the match. At the end over-confidence prevails over cockiness. I haven't questioned the finish.

 

4. Robert Evans vs Portia Perez - ACW Guilty By Association 6 (Grudge Match)

  

This match filled emotional hatred and it showed throughout the battle. Short story of a year long build Robert Evans confessed his love to Portia Perez and she responded with a superkick splitting up the team. While Evans gone marching, Portia terrorize ACW til fall of 2011 when Evans came marching back costing her matches. After Evans first match in ACW in almost year Perez return the favor back superkicking him and issuing a grudge match challenge at Guilty by Association 6. What a match they produce. Before the match I could feel the hate between these two as Evans stared down at Perez. Once the bell rang they fought, battle, brutalize each other all over the ring trying to break each other will for almost 30 minutes. After the brutal hard-fought battle Evans came out on top in one of best emotionally invested hatred of a match....and its not the end to this saga yet.

 

3. Sheamus vs Daniel Bryan - WWE Extreme Rules (2 out of 3 falls match)

After 18 second match at Wrestlemania 28 these two got another go this time at Extreme Rules in a 2 out of 3 falls match.This time crowd nearly split based from aftermath of their Wrestlemania match. They were for happy-go-lucky tough guy Sheamus because he's the good guy to sympathetic Daniel Bryan who felt got cheated out of his moment.This should have been their long Wrestlemania match, these two put on amazing performance as they traded falls before Sheamus came out on top.

 

2. CM Punk vs Daniel Bryan - WWE Over the Limit

 This match has classic written all over way before their PPV encounter. Both battle to two non-finish matches on RAW which they tore down the house each time. Their third battle took place at Over the Limit this time for WWE World Title. They gave fans another masterpiece this time for near 30 minutes with a finish. They were times you thought either man would win. At the end CM Punk took victory and kept his belt.

 1. Undertaker vs Triple H - Wrestlemania 28 (Hell in the Cell)

My 2012 match of the year. One hell of a battle in this hard-hitting slugfest between two legends with a third legend involved in this match. I watched this live at friend's place and on edge our feet each moment, each move, each pin. There were times when you thought Undertaker streak would end throughout the shear brutality inside the Cell. Undertaker prevailed again pinning Triple H. This match far exceeded their Wrestlemania 17 and 27 matches. The post match of Undertaker, Triple H, and Shawn Michaels embracing in the ring and on stage gave a good lasting image. Dubbed "End of Era" they gave the fans are memorable last hurrah.