10 Matches That Made Chicago The Hottest Wrestling City In The World
1. John Cena Vs CM Punk (Money In The Bank 2011)
Often referred to as if it were a character with a script of it's own, New York City carries an innate charisma that has always made it a popular choice for film and television bosses. With varied and diverse backdrops, a skyline that twinkles as much in the day as it does by night and a palpable energy that permeates through dialogue and direction, 'The City that Never Sleeps' plays as important a role as the characters that perform within it.
Never has this been the case in professional wrestling quite like CM Punk's WWE Title match against John Cena at Money In The Bank 2011.
It was the culmination of a contract dispute storyline that bent conventional WWE narrative, embedded the very real parting concerns of a jaded performer and threatened to make a megastar without the forceful hand of Vince McMahon.
In CM Punk, an increasingly frustrated section of the company's core audience had found their avatar, and were ready join him in his symbolic battle against the company's chief representative. This was nowhere as evident as in Punk's hometown of Chicago, where he'd vowed to take his final bow, and the WWE Title.
The reaction to his entrance is comparable to any of the loudest pops for Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin, The Rock or any other performers that can argue for a spot on wrestling's Mount Rushmore.
Every twist, turn and struggle in the contest is felt through the raw, uncompromising emotion of his faithful followers. His unlikely victory and escape from the building with the title belt draws the sort of joyous shock and awe the McMahon family would bottle if they could.
Much to do with his acrimonious exit, the company still hear CM Punk chants every time they return to Chicago. These are the echoes of this incredible night.