10 Best WWE Career-Threatening Matches Ever
2. John Cena Vs. CM Punk (Money In The Bank 2011)
The famous John Cena vs. CM Punk match for the WWE Championship from Money in the Bank 2011 isn't typically remembered for being a career-threatening match, but there were major career implications for both Cena and Punk in this bout. Of course, regardless of whether he won or lost, Punk was leaving the company no matter what.
But fans often forget that if Cena was unsuccessful in retaining his title, he would have been fired by Mr. McMahon. This match was every bit as important to him as it was to Punk because he felt the pressure of the entire company.
In any other situation, the fans likely would have rallied behind the face of WWE against the rebellious outsider, but Punk had that Chicago crowd in the palm of his hand. He went from being an obnoxious loudmouth to a messiah of sorts in a mere matter of weeks, and with the audience on his side, he was able to take the title from Cena in what is still regarded to this day as an all-time classic.
In addition to Punk being the unemployed WWE champion, Cena was also without a job... for 24 hours, anyway, before he was promptly reinstated by the returning Triple H.