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If any single person is synonymous with the ‘Money in the Bank’ concept, it has to be CM Punk. Why? As history tells us, Punk is the only individual to have won the Money in the Bank match twice, and has done that in succession! Also, whoever can forget the ‘Summer of Punk’ story-line which started two years ago and escalated during the Money in the Bank PPV? The PPV took place in Chicago, Punk’s home town, where he won the WWE title, and ushered a revolution in the WWE, and has since been the top player in the organization, not to forget being the WWE champion for a record 434 days, the longest in over 25 years! And to think it all started at Money in the Bank PPV gives the importance of the pay per view, which will take place in Philadelphia, home of the original Extreme Championship Wrestling in a week’s time.
Going into the PPV, CM Punk is involved in a story-line with his former mentor, Paul Heyman. Ever since Punk returned at the Payback PPV last month, he expressed his disinterest in Heyman calling him his ‘client’, and this resulted in Lesnar returning the next night on RAW, and he delivered a devastating F – 5 to the Second City Saint, which laid the foundations for the Punk – Lesnar feud, which is likely to culminate at Summerslam. CM Punk is the number 2 guy in the organization behind John Cena, and is perhaps the company’s trump card when it comes to star power and appealing to the masses who’re not below 14. CM Punk has been successful in making WWE interesting all over again, and this Sunday, we can see Punk winning the brief case for a record third time, and cashing it in for a shot at the WWE title sometime in future!
With Daniel Bryan on fire in the WWE, many pundits have him as their favorite to win the Money in the Bank briefcase, but no one can ever write Punk off, as he has been there and done that. Punk, being the former WWE champion, has the momentum behind him, as well as a shot at redemption. Ever since Punk lost the WWE title to the Rock at the Royal Rumble, Punk’s stake in the company started to fizzle out, and he took the opportunity to take some time off to heal his nagging injuries, and rumor also has it that Punk’s contract is about to expire sometime soon after Summerslam. Punk expressed his disinterest in signing a new contract before, and the rumor mill has set off that he isn’t interested in extending his contract yet again. With WWE and Vince McMahon knowing the ability of Punk to draw ratings and carrying the company, they would be willing to do anything to keep Punk in the WWE. Does that mean Punk might win the WWE title soon? Yes, and what better way to do that than by winning the MitB briefcase this Sunday and guaranteeing himself a shot at the WWE title anytime in the future within the next year?
With all said and done, CM Punk is the one name that has made the most impact at the Money in the Bank PPV. He has a chance to do it all over again come Sunday, as he steps in the ring with some amazing performers like Daniel Bryan, Christian and a returning Rob Van Dam! Also, there is a chance that Brock Lesnar might cost Punk the match, or Paul Heyman might finally show his true colors and spoil Punk’s plans, but one thing is for sure. This Sunday at the PPV, Punk can steal the show once again like he did two years ago, and prove to the WWE Universe that he truly is the ‘Best in the world’, and also ‘Mr. Money in the Bank’.
