10 CM Punk Matches You Need To Relive On WWE Network
8. CM Punk Wins Money In The Bank For The First Time (WWE Wrestlemania XXIV)
CM Punk's first Money in the Bank briefcase victory at Wrestlemania is key because at the start of the match, it's rather clear that he's one of MANY over superstars at a certain upper midcard tier in 2008 WWE. Shelton Benjamin, Chris Jericho, Carlito, Montel Vontavious Porter, Mr. Kennedy and John Morrison were also in the match, and all had compelling reasons to deserve a push up the card. It's a fun match to watch if only because the talent involved are so incredibly motivated, and when Punk wins, it's a definite moment where those who were already believers in Punk are exultant, while those who needed to be won over had certain proof that he was next up as a superstar.
Besides having been an independent professional wrestling manager for a decade, Marcus Dowling is a Washington, DC-based writer who has contributed to a plethora of online and print magazines and newspapers writing about music and popular culture over the past 15 years.