After practically a decade, the unthinkable occurred as CM Punk returned to WWE at Survivor Collection 2023. He’ll little question add some nice matches to his lengthy listing of classics if his run in AEW is something to go by, however he already has a bunch of unimaginable matches in WWE, which happened throughout his first stint.
This may have a look at his definitive finest matches in WWE, as per TheSportster’s scores, figuring out which of the “Greatest within the World’s” matches are elite. This score shall be in comparison with these from cagematch.web and Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer too.
UPDATE: 2024/02/18 20:00 EST BY ANDREW KELLY
CM Punk’s first televised match again in 10 years noticed him undergo a torn triceps on the 2024 Royal Rumble occasion. Followers have been hoping of extra traditional Punk matches in WWE, although these followers should look ahead to a number of months longer because of this harm. Both method although, Punk has had a number of nice matches in WWE – extra than simply 10! This may check out some extra of Punk’s standout WWE matches from throughout his profession in opposition to a few of his prime rivals like Chris Jericho, John Cena, and Rey Mysterio, to not point out certainly one of his two Cash within the Financial institution victories.
15 CM Punk Vs. Chris Jericho, WWE WrestleMania 28
Total Score From TheSportster: 7.75/10
Storytelling
1.75/2.5
Technical Potential
2.25/2.5
Character Work/Pyschology
2.25/2.5
Crowd Response
1.5/2.5
Dave Meltzer Score: 3.75 Stars Cagematch.web Score: 8.08
WWE oddly modified up the stipulation for this match forward of time, with Jericho successful the title if Punk was disqualified. This did result in an ungainly storytelling dynamic, although it did enable each males to showcase some sturdy character work, with Jericho enjoying up his nastiness as a heel, and Punk needing to indicate restraint.
The pair put in an excellent technical efficiency, although maybe one draw back was the tempo of the match, which did run sluggish at instances. It was nonetheless the very best technical bout on the whole present at WrestleMania 28, although it did fall barely as a result of spectacle of the opposite two “major occasions” on the cardboard.
14 CM Punk Vs. John Cena, WWE SummerSlam 2011
Total Score From TheSportster: 7.75/10
Storytelling
1.5/2.5
Technical Potential
2.25/2.5
Character Work/Pyschology
2/2.5
Crowd Response
2/2.5
Dave Meltzer Score: 3.5 Stars Cagematch.web Score: 8.32
CM Punk and John Cena as soon as extra showcased their fantastic chemistry on this match, although it have to be mentioned that the reserving let the entire thing down. After an important backwards and forwards the place Cena & Punk showcased their technical sides, hit large strikes, and had counters to one another, the end was a large number.
The Particular Visitor Referee Triple H missed Cena’s foot being on the rope, and this was adopted up by an assault by Kevin Nash and a Cash within the Financial institution cash-in by Alberto Del Rio. A loopy ending that the group did go wild for, however the storytelling was nonetheless poor on the end.
13 CM Punk Vs. Rey Mysterio, Capitol Punishment 2011
Total Score From The Sportster: 8/10
Storytelling
1.5/2.5
Technical Potential
2.25/2.5
Character Work/Pyschology
2.25/2.5
Crowd Response
2/2.5
Dave Meltzer Score: 3.75 Stars Cagematch.web Score: 7.71
Capitol Punishment rightfully has the fame for being one of many worst WWE PPVs of the whole 2010s. Nevertheless, it did have one spotlight, and that was this singles match between CM Punk and Rey Mysterio. These two have all the time had nice chemistry, and this was maybe the very best instance of that.
It was a stunning, fluid, well-wrestled match regardless of the shortage of a correct storyline. Punk thought up a miriad of how to counter Mysterio which was each enjoyable and inventive to see. A extremely sturdy match on a completely torrid night time.
12 Cash In The Financial institution Ladder Match, WrestleMania 24
Total Score From TheSportster: 8.25/10
Storytelling
2/2.5
Technical Potential
2.25/2.5
Character Work/Pyschology
2/2.5
Crowd Response
2/2.5
Dave Meltzer Score: 3.25 Stars Cagematch.web Score: 8.23
Below the daylight at WrestleMania 24, this Cash within the Financial institution ladder match could not have been the longest, however it was actually very pleasant. It had an electrical tempo with each wrestler showcasing an important sense of urgency, which added to the story of the match. There was an important tease of Mr. Kennedy doing a repeat, Jericho getting caught was implausible, John Morrison’s insane moonsault was breathtaking, Matt Hardy’s return was electrical, and Shelton Benjamin’s bump was the spotlight of the match.
This match had so many memorable moments which actually places it among the many finest MITB matches in WrestleMania historical past for certain. It may have maybe been a bit of longer with some extra drama, however it was nonetheless nice anyway.
11 CM Punk Vs. Chris Jericho, WWE Excessive Guidelines 2012
Total Score From TheSportster: 8.25/10
Storytelling
2.25/2.5
Technical Potential
1.75/2.5
Character Work/Pyschology
2/2.5
Crowd Response
2.25/2.5
Dave Meltzer Score: 3.5 Stars Cagematch.web Score: 8.27
The feud between Chris Jericho and CM Punk turned very private, so WWE allowed them to settle it in a Avenue Battle. Each males may carry a extra bodily facet to proceedings, which undoubtedly benefitted their character work and storytelling. The gang helped to raise this even within the extra methodical and slower moments, in order that was a giant plus to this match too.
Maybe it wasn’t fairly as bodily as some followers anticipated, however given the PG confines it was nonetheless a robust match between two heated rivals.
10 CM Punk Vs. Daniel Bryan, WWE Cash In The Financial institution 2012
Total Score From TheSportster: 8.25/10
Storytelling
2/2.5
Technical Potential
2.25/2.5
Character Work/Psychology
2/2.5
Crowd Response
2/2.5
Dave Meltzer Score: 4.25 Stars Cagematch.web Score: 8.54
Though CM Punk and Daniel Bryan thrived higher of their extra technical match (which we are going to get to later), this allowed them to department out right into a extra bodily, hardcore model, and so they every rose to the event to make it ship.
There have been some creative spots, using kendo sticks and tables was nice, however the one factor that did take away from this was the over involvement of AJ Lee on the Particular Visitor Referee. This led to numerous interference and overbooking. What Punk and Bryan did within the ring although was pleasant.
9 CM Punk Vs. Jeff Hardy, WWE SummerSlam 2009
Total Score From TheSportster: 8.5/10
Storytelling
2.25/2.5
Technical Potential
2.25/2.5
Character Work/Psychology
2/2.5
Crowd Response
2/2.5
Dave Meltzer Score: 4.25 Stars Cagematch.web Score: 8.92
CM Punk and Jeff Hardy had a extremely private feud in 2009, and the height of it got here with this Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match. It wasn’t only a typical spot-fest, with every second having clear construct and objective, and it led to one of the vital unimaginable Swanton Bombs of all time, with Jeff Hardy falling off an enormous ladder via the announce desk.
It was intense and followers have been on the sting of their seats to see who would emerge because the World Heavyweight Championship. Maybe it was sluggish in phases, however it was an important major occasion.
8 CM Punk Vs. Alberto Del Rio Vs. The Miz, WWE TLC 2011
Total Score From TheSportster: 8.5/10
Storytelling
2.25/2.5
Technical Potential
2/2.5
Character Work/Psychology
2/2.5
Crowd Response
2.25/2.5
Dave Meltzer Score: 4.25 Stars Cagematch.web Score: 8.14
While this had a easy story of two heels teaming as much as tackle the babyface, solely to be undone by their very own selfishness, it was executed very properly. The gang was electrical for Punk, who was lastly granted a PPV major occasion that didn’t contain John Cena.
The viewers rallied behind Punk as he managed to free himself of his handcuffed place to win the match, making for a enjoyable end. This match may even be remembered for the loopy, hard-to-watch bump that Ricardo Rodriguez took via a desk.
7 CM Punk Vs. Chris Jericho, WWE Payback 2013
Total Score From TheSportster: 8.75/10
Storytelling
2.25/2.5
Technical Potential
2/2.5
Character Work/Psychology
2/2.5
Crowd Response
2.5/2.5
Dave Meltzer Score: 4.5 Stars Cagematch.web Score: 8.56
The storytelling on this match carried it, with it being all about CM Punk shrugging off ring rust from his few-month absence from the ring. Punk steadily acquired again to himself increasingly more via the match, willed on by a thunderous Chicago crowd.
This outshone the match that Punk and Chris Jericho had at WrestleMania a 12 months prior, with it having a heightened tempo, extra focus, and fewer overbooking. Punk’s instantaneous change from a dastardly heel to a hometown hero was properly achieved too.
6 CM Punk Vs. Daniel Bryan, WWE Over The Restrict 2012
Total Score From TheSportster: 8.75/10
Storytelling
2/2.5
Technical Potential
2.5/2.5
Character Work/Psychology
2.25/2.5
Crowd Response
2/2.5
Dave Meltzer Score: 4.5 Stars Cagematch.web Score: 9.10
In order for you an instance of crisp, lovely, and flawless technical skilled wrestling, then it is a must-watch. In a uncommon case on the time, CM Punk and Daniel Bryan got 20 minutes to wrestle in their very own method.
Watching them understanding one another, transitioning out and in of holds, and pulling out precise strikes and massive strikes conservatively (with large strikes then that means a lot extra) was breathtaking. The one draw back was the end, which was a bit of screwy and was achieved to arrange a rematch.
5 CM Punk Vs. John Cena, WWE Night time Of Champions 2012
Total Score From TheSportster: 8.75/10
Storytelling
2/2.5
Technical Potential
2.5/2.5
Character Work/Psychology
2.25/2.5
Crowd Response
2/2.5
Dave Meltzer Score: 4.25 Stars Cagematch.web Score: 8.89
In relation to purely in-ring work, that is essentially the most underrated of CM Punk and John Cena’s many clashes. They went backwards and forwards, throwing out all their finest strikes and stealing one another’s finishers (Punk even stole the Rock Backside too). It was such a enjoyable match and fascinating dynamic to have it in Cena’s hometown.
It maybe didn’t have the stakes as a few of their different matches and the double pinfall draw felt like a slap within the face after such an unimaginable in-ring battle. Punk’s heel work was excellent right here although, as he regarded like an absolute star as he continued to bat away Cena’s babyface comebacks.
4 CM Punk Vs. Brock Lesnar, WWE SummerSlam 2013
Total Score From TheSportster: 9.25/10
Storytelling
2/2.5
Technical Potential
2.5/2.5
Character Work/Psychology
2.5/2.5
Crowd Response
2.25/2.5
Dave Meltzer Score: 4.5 Stars Cagematch.web Score: 9.35
A traditional David vs. Goliath match happened right here, because the no disqualification stipulation gave CM Punk the instruments to attempt to chop down Brock Lesnar. This was the very best that Lesnar had regarded since his debut in opposition to John Cena a 12 months prior, and he felt like a monster in opposition to a a lot smaller competitor.
They developed some cracking chemistry, and though Lesnar needed to be saved by Paul Heyman’s interference, he nonetheless regarded pretty unstoppable right here in opposition to Punk. Punk managed to ship to some sensible counters, retaining his prime star standing even in defeat.
3 CM Punk Vs. The Undertaker, WWE WrestleMania 29
Total Score From TheSportster: 9.25/10
Storytelling
2.5/2.5
Technical Potential
2/2.5
Character Work/Psychology
2.5/2.5
Crowd Response
2.25/2.5
Dave Meltzer Score: 4.5 Stars Cagematch.web Score: 9.04
This was arguably the height of CM Punk’s heel work in WWE. He was detestable in his disrespect to the passing of Paul Bearer, getting beneath Undertaker’s pores and skin and stealing the long-lasting urn. This introduced out arguably the very best model of Undertaker for the final time in his complete WWE profession.
Undertaker was hard-hitting, quick, and pulled out all his best hits, just for Punk to seek out methods to counter, and practically cheat his method to a surprising victory. There have been some terrific near-falls on this one, the place it felt just like the streak was on the verge of ending. It was actually bittersweet, as this was Undertaker’s final ever match of the 12 months candidate.
2 CM Punk Vs. John Cena, WWE RAW 02/25/2013
Total Score From TheSportster: 9.75/10
Storytelling
2.5/2.5
Technical Potential
2.5/2.5
Character Work/Psychology
2.25/2.5
Crowd Response
2.5/2.5
Dave Meltzer Score: 4.5 Stars Cagematch.web Score: 9.30
There’s a motive why that is typically within the dialogue for the best match in Monday Night time Uncooked historical past. CM Punk and John Cena concluded their traditional rivalry with this great match to earn a shot at The Rock in the principle occasion of WrestleMania 29.
Their sensible chemistry was on full present as soon as once more, with Punk bringing all of the counters to his arsenal, and likewise delivering an notorious banned piledriver too. Cena additionally dug down deep, with a hurricanrana and all of the traditional “Cena coronary heart” he may muster. Ultimately, it was Cena who scored the win in entrance of a massively scorching crowd.
1 CM Punk Vs. John Cena, WWE Cash In The Financial institution 2011
Total Score From TheSportster: 9.75/10
Storytelling
2.5/2.5
Technical Potential
2.25/2.5
Character Work/Psychology
2.5/2.5
Crowd Response
2.5/2.5
Dave Meltzer Score: 5 Stars Cagematch.web Score: 9.63
Arguably CM Punk’s best match in WWE (and likewise his best match full cease) got here in opposition to John Cena at Cash within the Financial institution 2011. Not solely did this have nice in-ring work, but additionally had a legendary story backing it up, with Punk’s WWE contract expiring later that night time.
In entrance of a red-hot Chicago crowd, Vince McMahon’s personal desperation to cease Punk successful allowed him the chance to win the WWE Championship in among the finest title victories in WWE historical past. A really unimaginable second on the finish of a shocking match.
