CM Punk: The Road To Becoming The Best In The World (A Retrospective Look at 2009-2013)

[Schlomey]

http://images.wikia.com/prowrestling/images/a/a6/CM_Punk_WWE_Champ.png


CM Punk, the self proclaimed Best In The World had a long and rocky road to get where he is today. Below I am highlighting his PPV ups and downs from 2009 to the present. Also inserted are highlights from the general time frame to try and piece together how he got where he is today.

Key:

Blue = Matches He Won
Red = Matches He Lost
White = Matches With Negative Outcomes For Punk
Yellow = Matches With Positive Outcomes For Punk
Orange = Career Highlights




- WWE Royal Rumble '09 (January 25) = Punk competed in the "Royal Rumble" Match, which was won by Randy Orton.

- WWE Wrestlemania XXV (April 5, '09) = Punk won the "Money In The Bank Ladder" Match.

- WWE Backlash '09 (April 26) = Punk fell to Kane.

- WWE Judgment Day '09 (May 17) = Punk was beaten by Umaga.

- WWE Extreme Rules '09 (June 7) = Punk won a "Samoan Strap" Match over Umaga. Later on, Punk cashed in his "Money In The Bank Briefcase" and won the World Title, beating Jeff Hardy.

HEEL TURN

- WWE The Bash '09 (June 28) = Punk, as the World Champion, lost, via DQ, to Jeff Hardy.

- WWE Night of Champions '09 (July 26) = Punk lost the World Title to Jeff Hardy.

- WWE Summerslam '09 (August 23) = Punk won the World Title, winning a "Ladder" Match over Jeff Hardy.

- WWE Breaking Point '09 (September 13) = Punk retained the World Title, winning an "I Quit" Match over the Undertaker.

- WWE Hell In A Cell '09 (October 4) = Punk lost the World Title, losing a "Hell In A Cell" Match to the Undertaker.

- WWE Bragging Rights '09 (October 25) = Punk lost a "Fatal Fourway" Match to the World Champion, the Undertaker. Rey Mysterio and Batista were the other participants.

- WWE Survivor Series '09 (November 22) = Punk, William Regal, & Legacy (Randy Orton, Ted DiBiase, & Cody Rhodes) lost an "Elimination" Match to Christian, Mark Henry, Kofi Kingston, MVP, & R-Truth.

PUNK FORMED THE STRAIGHT EDGE SOCIETY

- WWE TLC '09 (December 13) = In a dark match, Punk fell to R-Truth.

- WWE Royal Rumble '10 (January 31) = Punk competed in the Royal Rumble, which was won by Edge.

- WWE Elimination Chamber '10 (February 21) = Punk competed in the "World Title Elimination Chamber" Match, which was won by Chris Jericho. John Morrison, Rey Mysterio, R-Truth, and the Undertaker were the other participants.

- WWE Wrestlemania XXVI (March 28, '10) = Punk was beaten by Rey Mysterio.

- WWE Extreme Rules '10 (April 25) = Punk took down Rey Mysterio, Punk's hair was on the line in the match.

- WWE Over The Limit '10 (May 23) = Punk lost to Rey Mysterio, which meant that Punk's head was shaved. If Punk had won, Mysterio would have joined the Straight Edge Society.

- WWE Fatal Four Way '10 (June 20) = Punk lost a "Fatal Fourway" Match to Rey Mysterio, who won the World Title. Jack Swagger and The Big Show were the other participants.

- WWE Summerslam '10 (August 15) = The Straight Edge Society (Punk, Luke Gallows, & Joseph Mercury) lost a "Handicap" Match to the Big Show.

- WWE Night of Champions '10 (September 18) = Punk fell to The Big Show.

STRAIGHT EDGE SOCIETY DISBANDED

- WWE Bragging Rights '10 (October 24) = Team Raw (Punk, The Miz, Ezekiel Jackson, Santino Marella, John Morrison, R-Truth, & Sheamus) lost a "Bragging Rights Elimination" Match to Team Smackdown (The Big Show, Alberto Del Rio, Edge, Kofi Kingston, Rey Mysterio, Tyler Reks, & Jack Swagger).

PUNK BECAME LEADER OF THE NEW NEXUS

- WWE Royal Rumble '11 (January 30) = Punk competed in the Royal Rumble match, which was won by Alberto Del Rio.

- WWE Elimination Chamber '11 (February 20) = Punk competed in an "Elimination Chamber" Match, which was won by John Cena. John Morrison, Randy Orton, R-Truth, and Sheamus were the other participants.

- WWE WrestleMania XXVII (April 3, '11) = Punk fell to Randy Orton.

- WWE Extreme Rules '11 (May 1) = Punk lost a "Last Man Standing" Match to Randy Orton.

- WWE Over The Limit '11 (May 22) = The New Nexus (Punk & Mason Ryan) lost to the WWE Tag-Team Champions, The Big Show & Kane.

- WWE Capital Punishment '11 (June 19) = Punk took down Rey Mysterio.

NEW NEXUS DISBANDED

PUNK DELIVERED HIS FAMOUS PIPE BOMB AND IN DOING SO TURNED FACE AS ANTI-HERO

- WWE Money In The Bank '11 (July 17) = Punk won the WWE Title, defeating John Cena. Punk was leaving WWE after the match, and took the title with him.

- WWE Summerslam '11 (August 14) = Punk became the undisputed WWE Champion, beating John Cena. Both wrestlers had a version of the title before the match. Triple H was the special referee. Later on, Punk lost the WWE Title to Alberto Del Rio (who cashed in his Money In The Bank contract).

- WWE Night of Champions '11 (September 18) = Punk lost a "No Disqualification" Match to Triple H.

- WWE Hell In A Cell '11 (October 2) = Punk lost a "Three Way Hell In A Cell" Match to Alberto Del Rio, who won the WWE Title. John Cena was the other participant.

- WWE Vengeance '11 (October 23) = Punk & Triple H fell to Awesome Truth.

- WWE Survivor Series '11 (November 13) = Punk won the WWE Title, taking down Alberto Del Rio.

- WWE Tables, Ladders, & Chairs '11 (December 18) = Punk retained the WWE Title, winning a "Triple Threat TLC" Match over Alberto Del Rio and The Miz

- WWE Royal Rumble '12 (January 29) = Punk stayed the WWE Champion, defeating Dolph Ziggler. John Laurinaitis was the special referee.

- WWE Elimination Chamber '12 (February 19) = Punk kept the WWE Title, winning an "Elimination Chamber" Match over Chris Jericho, Kofi Kingston, The Miz, R-Truth, and Dolph Ziggler.

- WWE WrestleMania XXVIII (April 1, '12) = Punk defended the WWE Championship, forcing Chris Jericho to submit. The title could have changed hands on a disqualification.

- WWE Extreme Rules '12 (April 29) = Punk retained the WWE Title, winning a "Chicago Street Fight" Match over Chris Jericho.

- WWE Over The Limit '12 (May 21) = Punk stayed the WWE Champion, beating Daniel Bryan.

- WWE No Way Out '12 (June 17) = Punk kept the WWE Title, winning a "Triple Threat" Match over Daniel Bryan and Kane.

- WWE Money In The Bank '12 (July 15) = Punk defended the WWE Title, winning a "No Disqualification" Match over Daniel Bryan. AJ was the special referee.

PUNK TOOK OUT THE ROCK ON RAW 1,000 STARTING A HEEL TURN

- WWE Summerslam '12 (August 19) = CM Punk retained the WWE Title, winning a "Triple Threat" Match over John Cena and The Big Show.

- WWE Night of Champions '12 (September 16) = Punk stayed the WWE Champion, fighting to a Draw with John Cena.

- WWE Hell In A Cell '12 (October 28) = CM Punk took down The Ryback in a HIAC match with the assitance of Brad Maddox as referee.

- WWE Survivor Series '12 (November 18) = CM Punk beat John Cena and The Ryback thanks to interference by The Shield.




There you have it. Not a very impressive record until November of 2011. Is Punk really the Best In The World (WWE world)? What changed in the landscape of the WWE that pushed CM Punk to a near 500 day title reign? Does the win/loss record even matter to you or is it the quality of his matches even in a loss that counts?

Discuss these points and whatever else you feel like in the realm of WWE Champion CM Punk. Also, going into Royal Rumble and Wrestlemania season do you think that Punk will drop his coveted title? If so, do you think he will slip back into old habits or is he now a fixture in the main event?

Also, please enjoy the videos to some of these matches that follow when I get the time..

[Savio]

Best if read in TPWW Blue :y:

[The Condor]

I have no idea how he got where he is today considering only a few months before the pipe bomb he and Mason Ryan lost to Kane and Big Show

[Schlomey]

I use TPWW blue I didn't realize it would be hard when I did the write up. Thanks for pointing that out but color coding really does make it easier to skim for most...SORRY GUYS. but tpww blue is where it's at.

[The Condor]

Either creative and Vince were being super-stealthy about what they were doing or the Real-Life contract issues with Punk were spun into the pipe bomb and after the amazing reaction to it (ESPN tv and radio were talking about which tells you it hit a chord) they ran with it.

[Savio]

(I think nexus disbanded after the pipe bomb promo)

[DAMN iNATOR]

I have no idea how he got where he is today considering only a few months before the pipe bomb he and Mason Ryan lost to Kane and Big Show

I dunno, man. He seems to have been pretty awesome in-ring and on the mic from his S.E.S. days on through the present.

[Schlomey]

(I think nexus disbanded after the pipe bomb promo)

I couldn't remember exactly but it was all in that same "general time frame" which was all I was looking for.

By that time and especially after the pipe bomb the Nexus was a total afterthought anyways.

[Schlomey]

I dunno, man. He seems to have been pretty awesome in-ring and on the mic from his S.E.S. days on through the present.

The SES could have been huge but horrible booking made it fall flat. His performance in the Royal Rumble that year was easily the best part of the show. Cleared the ring and in between wrestlers he would try and convert the audience. It was genius. Damn the WWE for feeding him to Rey and Big Show and not letting the SES take over naturally.

[Schlomey]

Link to listen to Punk sermon the masses at the 2010 Rumble

God I love that beard.
http://www.wwe.com/videos/cm-punk-offers-a-sermon-then-tries-to-convert-the-great-khali-royal-rumble-2010-25061471

[The Jayman]

alot of red until after the pipe bomb

[DAMN iNATOR]

The SES could have been huge but horrible booking made it fall flat. His performance in the Royal Rumble that year was easily the best part of the show. Cleared the ring and in between wrestlers he would try and convert the audience. It was genius. Damn the WWE for feeding him to Rey and Big Show and not letting the SES take over naturally.

Maybe it wasn’t as epicly awesome as it could have been but his promos during that time were superb:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KAgUfDIFIQ4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/iVUOyFwckCo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/n4SN-2-vXPo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2TGUQDotutg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

and let’s also not forget, there was THIS: ( \/ ):
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/50-WPygLLVQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Jus’ sayin’.

[Schlomey]

The promos weren't the problem. The beginning layer of the SES wasn't the problem. It was the booking after the SES established itself that was the problem.

Thank you, BTW, for posting those wonderful links. I plan on checking them out this afternoon and reliving the SES.

[Savio]

What was Cena doing during TLC 2011?

[Corporate CockSnogger]

Didn't he have a slight injury so they left him off the PPV or something? He was still on tv though I think, maybe feuding with Kane? Can't remember if Kane returned before or after then and attacked him.

[James Diesel]

Well it's pretty obvious what changed for Punk. I mean up until Capitol Punishment, he was horribly booked. Punk was turning shit into gold with the SES and Nexus lines but the results were killing him. After the promo, they open their fucking eyes to what they have in their hands, so he gets his title, and then (in my opinion) they give ADR the title, just so they can get it back on Punk without the MITB possibility looming. Follow it up with some great matches and angles and you have the result today. The Best In The World.

In 2 years, who knows? He'll still be the best in the world. But will he even be with the company then? Will he STILL be reigning champion? Will we ever get those elusive WWE Ice Cream Bars?

We'll just have to wait and see.

[mike adamle]

Really hope Punk keeps winning up until Mania. And if Taker is finished, let Punk win and keep the belt. Then Punk vs. Lesnar at SummerSlam. Possibly keep building for Punk-Rock II at Survivor Series. Ryback wins the 2014 Royal Rumble and vows to finally take down CM Punk at WrestleMania. Star made. Or Lesnar could win at SummerSlam, and you could have Lesnar-Rock at Survivor Series. And have Ryback take on Lesnar at WrestleMania 30 while that frees CM Punk for Stone Cold Steve Austin.

[Bad News Gertner]

Jesus christ, his reign isn't memorable at all besides the length. Nobody will be able to recall his title matches, he didn't main event half the cards and ratings dropped from low 3's to high 2's. He hasn't been a great champion and wouldn't be a champ in any other era. He'd be a IC title guy. Stop with this nonsense.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

What was Cena doing during TLC 2011?

recovering from kane beating his gay ass up for "rising above hate."

[James Diesel]

Did they not have a (no) contest that night?

[James Diesel]

Oh no, that's right TLC 11 was Indy night.

Also, Zack Ryder

[Schlomey]

Jesus christ, his reign isn't memorable at all besides the length. Nobody will be able to recall his title matches, he didn't main event half the cards and ratings dropped from low 3's to high 2's. He hasn't been a great champion and wouldn't be a champ in any other era. He'd be a IC title guy. Stop with this nonsense.

Punk vs Bryan series and Cena vs punk are awesome matches.

Cena vs punk from Summerslam stands out to me because it was a non wwe style match. One of cents best matches I think and it was a total mind fuck seeing a 30 minute match in the main event the guys use a non wwe style for most of the match.

[Bad News Gertner]

The pulse of the WWE has spoken. Nobody cares about a mid card vanilla midget title match. Punk vs Bryan equals no buys!

[James Steele]

Gertner, we got the point a long time ago.

[Bad News Gertner]

Just like we got Punk's workrate is a smarks wet dream long time ago

[Schlomey]

I don't base my opinion on a wrestler by his buyrate but by his character and match quality....again for probably the 30th time.

[Bad News Gertner]

I'm shocked you don't focus on the financial side of it.

[Schlomey]

I'm shocked you don't focus on the financial side of it.

Honestly I am, too. Not because the Jew thing but because my day-to-day life revolves around numbers. Maybe that is why since I consider this place and wrestling an escape. It's all about workrate, baby!

[Savio]

I don't base my opinion on a wrestler by his buyrate but by his character and match quality....again for probably the 30th time.
Gertner bases his opinion on a wrestler by not only his buyrate but also the color of his skin.

[Bad News Gertner]

Hey, I'm a huge Prime Time Playas mark

[Theo Dious]

Next time someone goes all crybaby because the guy they're gay for is on a losing streak and is "in the doghouse" and "being buried" I'm totally going to have to link this thread.

[Shisen Kopf]

I like Punk, I think he's great on the mic but he's no Bret Hart.

[Bad News Gertner]

Bret Hart is the worst rassler in Canadian history, and yet you choose to honour him! You've really shown your true colours!

[Shisen Kopf]

Bret Hart is the greatest Canadian of all time.He is at the center of the Canadian universe. I think the USA #1 should honor him by making him an honorary US citizen. I am disappointed that Tim Hortouns didn't do a Bret Hart promotion when he retired. There no bettre rassler from Anericas hat that Bret. Woooooo!