Welcome to another very unique edition of the ESSENTIALS. Last month, CM Punk lost the WWE Championship to The Rock and the WWE witnessed the end of an era. CM Punk spent 434 days as WWE Champion and is now in the books as the 6th longest reigning WWE Champion of all time. Now that his historic run is over, I realized that we may never again see a modern era superstar surpass the level of greatness Punk achieved during his tenure as champ and I have decided to honor his achievement with a full recap of his incredible rivalries, classic matches and unforgettable moments that made his reign arguably, the best ever.
CM Punk is one of the truly great talents the WWE has ever seen. A unique blend of charisma, in-ring ability, mic skills and desire that the company has rarely (if ever) seen before. In the summer of 2011, he cut the promo heard around the world and set in motion his ascent to the upper echelon of WWE superstars. He would go on to defeat John Cena in the 2011 Match Of The Year and in the process he captured his first WWE Championship. He would again defeat Cena at Summerslam before losing the title to Alberto Del Rio, who cashed in his Money In The Bank contract on a physically exhausted Punk.
After this loss, Punk would enter a mini-feud with Triple H and become sidetracked leaving Del Rio and Cena to fight for the title. It had appeared as if Punk had lost his way and many began to wonder if he would ever get his hands on the gold again. What follows now is an accounting of the most noteworthy matches of CM Punk's title reign with each match being rated on a five star scale by level of difficulty, match quality and the overall significance to the title reign itself. Let us begin with...
WWE Survivor Series 2011: Vs. Alberto Del Rio
Punk and Del Rio had already competed in some very good matches on TV and one Hell In A Cell encounter before they tangled at the 25th anniversary of one of the WWE's marquee events. In each of those encounters, Del Rio would prove to be a very devious opponent, often slipping away with the victory with the help of his manager Ricardo Rodriguez. This night would end very differently for the Mexican Aristocrat however and with the help of a rabid WWE Universe who sold out Madison Square Garden, the WWE's home base, CM Punk would capture his second WWE title that night. With so much of the WWE's history being tied to that very venue, it was easily, one of the greatest victories of Punk's career.
Match Ratings
Challenge: ***
Quality: ****
Significance: *****
WWE TLC 2011: Vs. Alberto Del Rio & The Miz
After winning the title at Survivor Series, Punk would again defeat Alberto Del Rio in a rematch on the November 28 episode of Monday Night Raw. Del Rio and The Miz were then named the number one contenders to Punk's title and Punk was set to defend the belt against both opponents in a Tables, Ladders & Chairs match at the last PPV of the year, aptly named TLC. Punk would enter the match with a giant target on his back and across from him were two of the craftiest superstars in the WWE. Both Miz & Del Rio did their best to slow the champ down, even handcuffing him to the ring ropes, but Punk was able to escape and grab the title after a brutal battle.
Match Ratings
Challenge: ****
Quality: ****1/4
Significance: ***
WWE Royal Rumble 2012: Vs. Dolph Ziggler
After his feud with Del Rio was over, Punk ended up on the bad side of interim General Manager, John Laurinaitis who was determined to strip Punk of the championship by any means. Punk would defeat a hungry Dolph Ziggler on Raw via. countout, but in the weeks that followed, Laurinaitis would help Ziggler beat Punk week after week, leading many to believe he would screw Punk in his Royal Rumble title defense against the Show Off. With Laurinaitis acting as an "outside enforcer", Punk would still manage to defeat Dolph Ziggler after a back and forth contest that had fans on the edge of their seats. Still, this would not be the last time the GM would be a thorn in Punk's side.
Match Ratings
Challenge: ***
Quality: ****
Significance: ***
WWE Elimination Chamber 2012: Vs. Chris Jericho, Dolph Ziggler, Kofi Kingston, The Miz & R-Truth
Chris Jericho had returned to the WWE in January 2012 and originally had not made his intentions clear to the audience. CM Punk was beginning an excellent series of champion vs. champion matches with then World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan until he was assaulted by Jericho, who then mocked Punk's claims of being the best in the world. Tensions were high as Punk was set to defend his title in the WWE's most demonic structure against five of the hungriest challengers in the company. However, not only would Punk eliminate Jericho from the match, he would manage to survive still the champ by last eliminating The Miz and securing himself a place in the main event of Wrestlemania.
Match Ratings
Challenge: *****
Quality: ****
Significance: ***1/2
WWE Wrestlemania XXVIII: Vs. Chris Jericho
After being eliminated from the chamber due to injury, Chris Jericho would win another shot at Punk's world title by winning a battle royal the following night on RAW. This win set off a series of events that would see Punk engage in the most emotional feud of his title reign. With Jericho being the WWE's most devious mastermind, Punk's will was pushed to the limit as Jericho would try in any way, shape or form to mentally break the champion before Wrestlemania. Jericho would then reveal to the audience that Punk's father was an alcoholic, his sister a drug addict and he suggested that upon losing his WWE title, Punk would turn to addiction himself. Johnny Ace would also add the stipulation that the title could change hands via. disqualification. Both men would find their efforts to be futile though as Punk would earn perhaps the greatest moral victory of his career when he made Jericho tap to the Anaconda Vise in what was his best Wrestlemania match to date.
Match Ratings
Challenge: ****1/4
Quality: ****1/4
Significance: *****
WWE Monday Night Raw 4/16/2012: Vs. Mark Henry
On the Monday Night Raw immediately after Wrestlemania, there was a buzz in the wrestling world about the return of Brock Lesnar. Lesnar's return was so monumental that it overshadowed a very excellent match CM Punk had with Mark Henry that night. After insulting John Laurinaitis, Punk was placed in a mini-feud with Henry as punishment. Punk would lose to Henry via. countout and disqualification, resulting in their final encounter being a No Countout, No Disqualification match for the WWE Championship. On April 16, Henry took Punk to his absolute physical limits and it had seemed as if the WWE's most intimidating monster had Punk's number that night. Eventually, Punk was crafty enough to avoid Henry's onslaught finally pinning him after a steel chair assisted flying elbow drop.
Match Ratings
Challenge: ****1/2
Quality: ****1/2
Significance: ***
WWE Extreme Rules 2012: Vs. Chris Jericho
Throughout Punk's feud with Henry, Jericho would douse Punk in alcohol and continue to harass the champion, further revealing the skeletons in his closet. Finally in Punk's hometown of Chicago, IL, Punk would have a chance to silence Jericho once and for all in a Chicago Street Fight for the WWE title. With Punk's family at ringside, he did his best to keep his emotions in check long enough to put an end to Jericho's tyranny and earn another emotional victory for his title reign and more importantly, his family.
Match Ratings
Challenge: ****1/4
Quality: ****1/2
Significance: ****
WWE Over The Limit 2012: Vs. Daniel Bryan
It's been a long time since the WWE has let two men with this much history battle for the top prize. Nearly all of CM Punk and Daniel Bryan's matches were MOTY candidates, but from a pure mat perspective, this one is their finest together and it's easily the best of Punk's reign as well. No real backstory other than the two best in the company grappling to see who was #1. It was a fast paced match filled with innovative spots that saw Punk retain his title after he countered the "YES!" Lock into a pinning combination. It was the most debatable victory of Punk's reign thus far as he had simultaneously tapped out. The refs ruled in Punk's favor, but the jury was still out on who the real best in the world was. A must-see match that is easily one of the best of the year.
Match Ratings
Challenge: ****1/2
Quality: ****3/4
Significance: *****
WWE No Way Out 2012: Vs. Kane & Daniel Bryan
Match Ratings
Challenge: ****
Quality: ****
Significance: **
WWE Money In The Bank 2012: Vs. Daniel Bryan
The battle for AJ Lee's affection reached it's epic climax at the very same event that made CM Punk an international megastar. With AJ serving as the special guest referee, Daniel Bryan and CM Punk would compete in a brutal No Disqualification match that included the use of kendo sticks, tables and steel chairs. AJ would provide a fair distraction for both men as well, seemingly amused at their desire to beat the living hell out of each other. The match finally ended when Punk hit Bryan with a belly-to-back suplex through a table as AJ looked on in horror upon realizing her manipulation may have went too far.
Match Ratings
Challenge: ****3/4
Quality: ****1/2
Significance: ***1/2
WWE RAW 1000: Vs. John Cena
As the WWE was celebrating 1000 episodes on Monday Night Raw, John Cena had cashed in his Money In The Bank contract in the evening's main event, providing CM Punk with his most formidable opponent to date. This match is the only match on this list that ended via. DQ, but it's one of the most crucial matches of Punk's reign for the events that followed. After a solid bit of action, Big Show had interfered and assaulted John Cena leading The Rock to run in for the save. CM Punk would then attack The Rock and stand tall over the great one, effectively changing the audience's appreciation towards him and perhaps for once, biting off a bit more than he could chew. More on that later.
Match Ratings
Challenge: *****
Quality: ***
Significance: *****
WWE Summerslam 2012: Vs. John Cena & Big Show
After Punk explained his actions by claiming he was tired of people like The Rock & John Cena overshadowing him and that the WWE Champion should be the focal point of the show, he then interrupted a number one contender's match between Cena and Big Show. The result saw Punk have to again defend his title against two competitors and this time he won using sneaky tactics, stealing the victory from the grasp of John Cena, who had just laid Big Show out with the Attitude Adjustment. It wasn't the most honorable victory, but a win's a win.
Match Rating
Challenge: *****
Quality: ***1/4
Significance: **1/2
WWE Night Of Champions 2012: Vs. John Cena
In between his matches with Cena, Punk would again enter another mini-feud. This time, it was with beloved WWE commentator Jerry Lawler. Punk brutalized Lawler in a Steel Cage match in an attempt to earn Lawler's respect. Punk would make similar demands from Bret Hart and then GM AJ Lee as well. Turning further and further into madness, the champion then aligned himself with mentor Paul Heyman and accepted a challenge from John Cena for a match at Night Of Champions in Cena's hometown of Boston, MA. The result was a fantastic match that was every bit as good as their all-time classic from 2011 and one of the top five best matches of 2012. Cena appeared to have Punk beat after he hit the champ with a top rope German Suplex. The result was then overturned when the ref realized both men's shoulders were pinned to the mat. The match was then ruled a draw.
Match Ratings
Challenge: *****
Quality: ****3/4
Significance: *****
WWE Hell In A Cell 2012: Vs. Ryback
After defeating Cena. Punk would turn down requests from legends Jim Ross and Mick Foley to grant Cena a rematch and even engaged in a brawl with Vince McMahon. Ryback was the fastest rising star in the WWE during the fall and was on a collision course with Punk after Cena had to bow out of title contention due to an arm injury. This provided fans with a fresh and exciting matchup, but for the champion, it was another major obstacle. Ryback was on a tremendous win streak and he was the type of destroyer the WWE had not seen since Batista retired in 2010. To make matters worse, Punk would have to defend his title in a Hell In A Cell match. With the help of referee Brad Maddox, Punk was able to beat Ryback and put an end one of the only PPV win streaks that was as impressive as his at the time.
Match Ratings
Challenge: *****
Quality: ***1/2
Significance: ****
WWE Survivor Series 2012: Vs. Ryback & John Cena
Now simultaneously faced with the two greatest threats to his title to date, Punk would have to go to extreme lengths to ensure a victory. He and Cena adapted the old adage of "the enemy of my enemy is my friend", both willing to work together to take Ryback out of the equation. As the two superstars waged a back and forth battle, Ryback would regain consciousness and put a beating on both men. It would seem as if the massive brawler would capture his first WWE Championship until the team of Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins (now known as the Shield) made their debut and took Ryback out of the match. After pinning John Cena for the win & having held the championship for a full year, Punk was seemingly unbeatable.
Match Ratings
Challenge: *****
Quality: ***3/4
Significance: ***1/2
WWE Monday Night Raw 1/7/2013: Vs. Ryback
On December 5, 2012, CM Punk became the longest reigning WWE Champion of the last 25 years when he hit 381 days, surpassing John Cena's 380 day reign from 2006-2007. After having missed the TLC PPV due to a torn meniscus, Punk was cleared to return to action on the very first Raw of the new year. Unfortunately for Punk, he would have to defend his title against Ryback in yet another Tables, Ladders & Chairs match. To no one's surprise The Shield would interfere and again cost Ryback the WWE Championship. This would be Punk's final successful title defense.
Match Ratings
Challenge: *****
Quality: ****1/4
Significance: ****1/2
WWE Royal Rumble 2013: Vs. The Rock
In the biggest match of Punk's title reign, he would stand toe to toe with the greatest challenge of his career to date. The Rock had vowed at RAW 1000 to win the WWE Championship. That belt was then and now held by the man who attacked him at the end of that very same night. The buildup of this match was tremendous and it had the feel of a Wrestlemania main event. Punk did his best to take the fight to The Rock and after nearly 30 minutes of action, he appeared to have the great one beat. However, Vince McMahon had evidence of The Shield's involvement and tried to strip Punk of the title. The Rock, not wanting to win any other way than by beating the champion clean, demanded the match be restarted. After a spinebuster and a People's Elbow, the people's champ was able to end one of the greatest title reigns in the history of pro wrestling.
Match Ratings
Challenge: *****
Quality: ****
Significance: *****
Final Thoughts
From a pure match quality standpoint, very few title reigns in the history of pro wrestling are as spectacular. As WWE Champion, CM Punk has beaten a who's who of WWE superstars and has cemented his status as one of the most dominant performers of the modern era. It was a reign that saw Punk work both as a top babyface and top heel, compete in a slew of critically acclaimed feuds and spend an entire calendar year as "the man". The variety of match types of which Punk successfully defended his title in may also be the most impressive of any champion in the company's history (TLC, Hell In A Cell, No Countout, No DQ, Elimination Chamber, Special Enforcer/Referee, Street Fight and a wide variety of Triple Threat matches). Years from now when we look back at his run, many will realize that Punk was an act that was damn near impossible to follow and he could easily lay claim to being the man that made the WWE title again the most prestigious in the sport. Perhaps that is his greatest success. When he won the gold, he promised to "make the WWE Championship interesting again". Looking back at his monumental run, I'd say that was a gigantic understatement.
Reading this, made me really appreciate Punk's reign even more then i already did..it was like one big ongoing story. Great job.
ReplyDeleteThanks : )
DeleteThis was great! Cm Punk >The Rock!
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading.
DeleteYou deserve to be slapped for such blasphemy
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