10 Hyped WWE Feuds That Were Complete Failures

5. CM Punk Vs. The Undertaker

Wade Barrett John Cena 2010
WWE.com

Though CM Punk will go down as the last man to drag a truly great match out of The Undertaker (WrestleMania 29), their initial feud in 2009 was a flop. ‘Taker returned to WWE that summer, attacking Punk at SummerSlam, and setting-up his next big program. His last match was a stunning showdown with Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania XXV, while Punk was coming off a fantastic storyline with Jeff Hardy. Thus, anticipation was through the roof, but the rivalry stunk.

The duo were booked in a submission match at Breaking Point that September, but the build was incredibly flimsy. They still headlined the event, however, and while Punk was victorious, it came through an insultingly bad Montreal Screwjob-esque finish.

The ensuing weeks saw ‘Taker focus his attention on SmackDown General Manager Teddy Long, who he thought had an agenda against him. The rematch was eventually booked for Hell In A Cell, and it was another drab, curtailed affair, and Punk lost without putting up much of a fight at all. Undertaker became World Heavyweight Champion in a move reportedly booked as a result of a complaint Punk had made about WWE’s dress code, and eventually dropped the belt inside the Elimination Chamber the following February.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.