10 Hugely Underrated WWE WrestleMania Matches
2. CM Punk Vs. Randy Orton - WrestleMania XXVII
The most memorable 'Mania matches are bombastic. In the stadium era, there is a sprawling vista of fans to play to, the view of several thousand of which is limited. Slow matches boasting micro moments of psychological brilliance tend not to translate, which is perhaps why CM Punk Vs. Randy Orton failed to elicit much of a reaction. Re-watched on its own merits, it is a classic pro wrestling match, if not a classic wrestling match.
Punk, playing perfectly to the geeks who appreciate continuity in their wrestling, paid tribute to a more famous 'Mania spot by torturing Orton with a ring post figure four leg lock, having targeted the limb brilliantly throughout. Orton, an underrated seller, bit that ring post in agony in a unique spot. Punk, who always knew how to adapt to the methodical WWE style while also making it more interesting, swept Orton's injured leg with a cool-looking martial arts sweep and countered an RKO attempt with a lethal high kick to the face. Punk was in prime pr*ck mode here, mocking Orton's plight by hobbling across the ring with a sh*t-eating grin plastered over his face.
Orton served Punk, too hubristic by the close of the match, a grand reckoning - saving that bombast for the last, countering Punk's springboard lariat with a flawless catch RKO.