We are days away from CM Punk’s second outing inside the octagon, and to say Punk has some doubters to prove wrong is quite the understatement. Coming off of his debut loss against Mickey Gall, Punk’s shot at redemption depends on his performance against UFC newcomer Mike Jackson. While Punk’s UFC career is still in it’s infancy, there is no doubt about his ability to draw in viewers. Look no further than his stint within the WWE to see why the UFC brass have decided to take the gamble again on CM Punk. Here we will take a look at some of the top matches from the Straight Edge Superstar and show why he is a bona fide Pay-Per View draw.
5. The Best vs. The Beast (WWE Summerslam 2013)
We start this list off with one of Punk’s better matches of recent memory, his epic clash against fellow UFC alumni Brock Lesnar. At this point in Punk’s career it was firmly established that he was not only the best on the mic, but one of the greatest wrestler’s to ever enter a WWE ring. His ability to tell a story was second to none, and with an opponent like Brock Lesnar, WWE fans were treated to one of the better “David vs. Goliath” stories to be told. Leading up to the match Brock’s manager Paul Heyman and CM Punk built the story that not only was Brock a feared monster with incredible attributes, but that Punk did not fear Brock and would not back down.
The monumental build up to the match helped tell the story of Punk overcoming the obstacles that Brock would throw at him during their match. Punk would have to rely on intelligence to overcome the brute strength of Lesnar, and Punk’s risk-taking efforts rallied the fans behind him. Paul Heyman would add drama to the match as well, providing distractions and interference just when it looked like Punk would put away Brock. Heyman would end up costing Punk the match, but Punk would manage to get one of the best in ring performances out of Lesnar that WWE fans have ever witnessed. This match is certainly a milestone in the careers of all three men.
4. The Sermon on the Mount (WWE Royal Rumble 2010)
CM Punk didn’t win the Rumble of 2010, but he did give one of the most memorable performances in the history of the Royal Rumble itself. Riding high on the success of the Straight Edge Society, Punk used his time in the Rumble to showcase why he is one of the best to ever pic up a mic. Punk would cap off his eliminations during the Rumble with entertaining promo after promo, offering to “save” fellow superstars before every entrance.
Punk would eliminate the likes of JTG, Zack Ryder, Beth Phoenix, and a few others during his performance. It was obvious how much fun Punk and the fans were having with the sermons, with a stand out moment being between Punk and Ryder for hilarity alone. It’s obvious that Punk knows how to play to a crowd, and the Royal Rumble of 2010 highlights some of the Straight Edge Saviors finer moments.
3. Daniel Bryan vs. CM Punk (WWE Over the Limit 2012)
The lead up to Bryan vs. Punk isn’t the most memorable in WWE history, but the match between both the men makes the list because it shows what fans can get when the WWE puts together some of the best in ring performers in the business. It was the early days of the “Yes Movement” from Daniel Bryan and while Punk was firmly set as the “Best in the World”. Fans quickly invested into the story telling of the match, caring little about the story-line itself.
Competing chants of “CM Punk/Daniel Bryan” rang throughout the arena as both men put on a technical showcase in the ring. The announcers drove home how much both men knew about each other’s style, hinting towards the time both men spent together inside of Ring of Honor. The drama escalated through the match with Punk and Bryan seeming to have an answer for each shot from one another. The finish would be shrouded with controversy as Bryan would lock Punk into the Yes Lock, only for Punk to reverse it into a pin. As the referee counted to 3, Punk would tap out at the same time, adding to the overall story between both Punk and Bryan. The highlight here being that at the end of the day fans were hungry to see more of this story, and even to this day would love to see both men go at it one more time.
2. CM Punk vs. The Undertaker (WWE WrestleMania 29)
There is no bigger stage in wrestling than WrestleMania and no name is more synonymous with the grandest stage than that of the Undertaker. Having an undefeated streak of 20 wins with no losses, the odds couldn’t have been more on the side of the Dead man when he stepped into the ring against CM Punk. WrestleMania 29 and the lead up to it might possibly be the best performance of CM Punk at the Showcase of Immortals. The build up was not only about the streak but CM Punk’s blatant show of disrespect towards the Undertaker and use of mind games to try to get the advantage before the two met inside the ring.
At the time it really felt as if CM Punk would be the man to end the Undertaker’s fabled streak. The match between Punk and Taker itself would go down as an instant classic in their WrestleMania careers. Punk came up short in his quest to take the streak away from the Undertaker and to this date it is Punk’s last performance at WrestleMania. Punk’s ability to tell such a high caliber of a story with one of the best in the Undertaker solidifies how incredible of a talent Punk is. If the UFC can find a way to capture that magic with Punk in some way, it’ll make the acquisition of Punk more worth it.
1. CM Punk vs. John Cena (WWE Money in the Bank 2011)
To tell the story of this match right you need to go to the beginning, when CM Punk shattered the glass ceiling and proved that he is “Best in the World”. That moment is known by any wrestling fan, the infamous “Pipe Bomb” promo were CM Punk broke the fourth wall and aired his grievances with the company. From mentioning Ring of honor, to how he felt disgruntled with his place in the company, Punk pulled no punches on the mic. With Punk’s WWE contract coming to an end, Punk took the chance to point out how abysmal WWE’s marketing of his career was. John Cena, who was “laid out” in the ring before Punk started his promo, could only lay on the ropes in disbelief as Punk went after anyone and everyone on the mic.
The story would only continue from that night, as word would get around that the promo itself was straight from Punk. The WWE would continue to build the story towards the Money in the Bank Pay-Per-View as CM Punk looking to capture the WWE Championship from John Cena and then leave the WWE forever. Vince McMahon inserted himself into the story, which really helped give the angle an almost Austin/McMahon feel from the Attitude Era of the WWE. Failing to get Punk to re-negotiate a contract, Vince would put added pressure on John Cena to win, stating that if Cena were to lose, he would be fired. The story would now be set, and CM Punk would face John Cena in a match where the stakes couldn’t be higher.
CM Punk walked into the match at Money in the Bank knowing he had the hometown advantage, and the fans in Chicago were united behind Punk without a doubt. The match itself delivered on every single category desirable, and even earned a rare 5-star rating from Dave Meltzer, who is one of wrestling’s most respected journalists. CM Punk, John Cena, and Vince McMahon capped off the story being told by having one of the most unexpected finishes in WWE History. Punk would not only pin Cena clean in the middle of the ring, but Punk would also close out the show by grabbing the WWE Championship and escaping through the crowd, not before blowing McMahon a kiss goodbye. The image itself is gif-worthy for the look of disbelief on Vince’s face alone. Punk would eventually “return” to the WWE and take his career to new heights, but it was here where Punk proved that he is not only a main eventer, but truly “The Best in the World”
We all know of the story that followed, both the ups and the downs of CM Punk’s journey with the WWE and the path that lead him to the UFC. It’s now the time we look as fans to his UFC career, as it continues to grow. While there is a lot of pressure on the Second City Saint to win his next UFC fight, as fans we have learned not to count Punk out of a fight. With some more experience on his side, and working out of a great camp, CM Punk could shock the world once again at UFC 225.