10 Best WWE Matches Since 2010

Though the Summer Of Punk ultimately ended in disappointment, it helped produce this - a truly world-class bout that stands up favourably to any other in WWE history.

Punk’s “Pipe Bomb” blew the wrestling world apart, making him an avatar for the fans' discontent. They rallied behind his reality-fuelled quest against the WWE hierarchy and John Cena, the perceived golden boy, and with Punk’s WWE contract set to expire, the stakes had never been higher.

If Punk defeated Cena, he would leave the company as WWE Champion, taking the belt with him. His deal expired that very evening, and Punk received the pop of all pops when he walked out before his native Chicago crowd, ready to do battle with the company’s corporate poster boy.

The action itself was great, but the story took it to the next level. Vince McMahon and John Laurinaitis tried to save their championship with a Montreal Screwjob-esque finish, but Cena himself put an end to that, striking ‘Big Johnny’ down as he tried to call for the bell. This proved to be his downfall, however, and one GTS and a three-count later, the building became unglued.

Vince ordered Alberto Del Rio down to the ring in a last gasp effort to save the belt via Money In The Bank cash-in, but it failed. Punk had vanquished the evil corporate boogeymen, and as he sat blowing kisses to McMahon on the barricade, WWE Championship in his clutches, it was clear we’d just witnessed something truly iconic.