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7 years after his final WWE appearance at the 2014 Royal Rumble, CM Punk made his long-awaited return to professional wrestling on the August 21, 2021, episode of AEW Rampage. He capped off an emotional promo in front of his hometown crowd by setting up a match with Darby Allin at All Out 2021.
While he never became as mainstream as The Rock or John Cena, the iconoclastic Punk arguably connected more with hardcore WWE fans than any wrestler since the Attitude Era. His return has been acclaimed by that section of the audience which has eagerly followed his every move since 2014.
With Punk's long-anticipated first AEW match just around the corner, here are 5 of his WWE matches to whet your appetite.
5) CM Punk vs Brock Lesnar WWE Summerslam 2013
For the heel portion of his 434-day run as WWE Champion, CM Punk was cornered by Paul Heyman, also known as Brock Lesnar's long-time manager. Heyman played an integral role in Punk's initial ascent to the main roster and the two men were close friends in real life.
Punk and Heyman were adept at playing off of each other and turned out to be the most entertaining acts on Monday Night Raw. However, tensions started to simmer between the two after "The Second City Saint" returned to television following his defeat to The Undertaker at WrestleMania 29.
The ensuing split culminated in a no-disqualification match between Punk and Lesnar at Summerslam with Heyman in the former UFC Heavyweight Champion's corner.
The bout started with Lesnar using his size and athleticism to dominate proceedings before Punk's ringcraft put him on the cusp of a win. However, the Chicago native was ultimately foiled by Heyman, who distracted Punk long enough for Lesnar to use a steel chair to seize victory.
4) CM Punk vs Chris Jericho WWE Extreme Rules 2012
In 2011, Chris Jericho made his return and started a feud with then WWE Champion CM Punk over the title of "best wrestler in the world."
After the Chicago native won their first match by submission, Jericho made their feud even more personal, taking jabs at the battles Punk's father and sister endured with substance abuse.
He even smashed a bottle of Jack Daniels over Punk's head. The only way to settle this feud was in a Chicago Street Fight. With his sister at ringside, Punk came out on top in a violent contest.
The highlight of the match was the finish where Punk launched Jericho into an exposed turnbuckle before connecting with an emphatic Go To Sleep for the pin.
3) CM Punk vs The Rock WWE Royal Rumble 2013
After winning the WWE Championship by forcing Alberto Del Rio to submit at Survivor Series 2011, CM Punk embarked on a 434-day run with the title. Although he started as a babyface, Punk eventually turned heel at Raw 1000 and later formed an alliance with Paul Heyman.
"The Straight Edge Superstar" primarily feuded with Ryback and John Cena in programs largely remembered for the introduction of Brad Maddox and The Shield. At Royal Rumble in 2013, he was pitted in a match against The Rock, who was fresh off main-eventing WrestleMania 28.
Punk held his own against The Rock on the microphone and carried The Fast and Furious star in a well-worked bout at The Royal Rumble. The match is best known for a false finish involving The Shield. However, The Rock ultimately prevailed to win the WWE Championship for the eighth time.
2) CM Punk vs Jeff Hardy WWE Summerslam 2009
CM Punk's program with Jeff Hardy was arguably the best of his WWE career and even won the Wrestling Observer Newsletter's feud of the year award. The Straight Edge Superstar was the perfect foil to Hardy, who was one of the most beloved Superstars in WWE.
Punk's ability to talk down to the fans and Hardy made him easily hated since there was an element of truth that pricked the audience. The feud started when Punk cashed his Money in the Bank contract to win the World Heavyweight Championship from Hardy at Extreme Rules 2009.
The North Carolina native regained the title at Night of Champions, leading to a TLC match between the two at Summerslam 2009. Punk and Hardy put on a physical bout filled with compelling twists and turns. Hardy even nailed him with a swanton bomb from the top of the ladder.
Punk eventually outlasted the Champion in a match that remains a classic to this day.
1) CM Punk vs John Cena WWE Money in the Bank 2011
Although he's had a career full of highlights, CM Punk's Tour de Force remains his WWE Championship match with John Cena at Money in the Bank 2011 in front of a rabid Chicago crowd. The build-up to the match included the "Pipebomb" promo and Punk promising to walk out of WWE with its biggest prize.
The match itself turned out to be a 30-minute classic with both superstars locked in a desperate tussle, earning 5 stars from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. The finish saw Vince McMahon attempt to recreate the Montreal Screw Job but he was foiled by John Cena who thwarted John Laurinaitis' attempt to ring the bell.
Punk then nailed Cena with a GTS for the pin, triggering frenzied celebrations. He then prevented Alberto Del Rio from cashing in his Money in the Bank contract before kissing Vince McMahon goodbye in one of the most rewatched moments in WWE history.
