Best: John Cena v CM Punk (WWE Championship Match; Money in the Bank 2011)
The Summer of Punk was a launching point for so many things in WWE. It changed the course of the company, blurring the lines between fiction and reality. The infamous pipe bomb promo started it all, but it was Punk and John Cena’s five-star main event that set the wrestling world on fire.
John Cena and CM Punk’s Money in the Bank main event was always going to be fantastic. Their wrestling skill was above reproach, but coupling it with the most compelling story in years made it one of the best in company history. No one expected CM Punk to win the match and, in doing so, leave WWE with its main championship. The drama surrounding everything they did brought the match to another level.
Worst: John Cena v John Laurinaitis (Over the Limit 2012)
There was no redeeming feature in having John Laurinaitis as an authority figure. His personality left something to be desired, and his voice was the type of monotone drivel that put the crowd to sleep. It was great to see that his reign came to an end at Over the Limit 2012, but it’s just awful that we had to suffer through a terrible main event to get there.
Johnny Ace was no longer a wrestler, and as much as the world wanted to see him ousted, he had no place being in the main event. This type of attraction is a fun respite on a card, but in no way should it be the last to go on. It’s taking attention away from the real matches that should be closing out the night. Many PG Era stars lost a valuable spot to John Laurinaitis.
