Every WWE 5 Star Match Ranked

6. CM Punk Vs. John Cena (Money In The Bank 2011)

The Summer of Punk storyline marked the first time in several years that WWE was seen as culturally relevant. With the Straight Edge Superstar's kayfabe blurring pipebomb, all eyes were on Money in the Bank 2011 for what could have been Punk's last match in the promotion, as he challenged for John Cena's WWE title in Punk's hometown of Chicago.

Punk vs. Cena earning 5 stars is a case of a heated crowd elevating a match to instant classic status. With Punk being both the hometown hero and a voice of the voiceless, and Cena being the corny status quo symbol of the promotion, the battle lines were firmly drawn. It wasn't John Cena vs. CM Punk: it was John Cena vs. Chicago, with one of the most ravenous, heated crowds in the history of the Rosemont Horizon.

However, Punk vs. Cena is low on the list because while it is undoubtedly a great match due to the characters and crowd response, the in-ring aspect isn't as crisp as its companions. Heck, just from a wrestling standpoint, this isn't even the best Punk/Cena match (that would be their Night of Champions 2012 encounter).

Still, it's rarely about the in-ring work, but about how the crowd reacts, and boy, they reacted in a big way.