10 Matches WWE Could HONESTLY Call ‘The Greatest Ever’
8. John Cena Vs CM Punk (Money In The Bank 2011)
John Cena and CM Punk had arguably superior in-ring efforts either side of an iconic Chicago clash, with arguments valid that the pair were each other's career opponents thanks to feuds the preceded and followed the magnificent events surrounding Money In The Bank 2011.
But as a complete Sports Entertainment spectacle from the spine-tingling seconds before and during Punk's music hitting through to his blown kiss to Vince McMahon, there's few contests more captivating.
A already-brilliant match elevated further by the fourth wall-smashing storyline, Cena and Punk's every move pulls on the positive tension of a white hot crowd. 'Big Match John's usual audience manipulation doesn't fall asunder, but nor is it required as the audience fall just short of employing physical interjection to carry their hero over the line.
Enhanced by interjections from bothersome busybodies Vince McMahon and John Laurinaitis in ways that don't compromise the integrity of Cena or Punk themselves, the chain of events feeding into Punk's iconic victory are among the most brilliantly manipulative minutes ever assembled by the company. High end soap opera on rewatch, the talent involved deserve enormous plaudits for timing their movements and reactions with believable perfection on the night - lesser performers may have dropped the ball having been handed the most delicate of potential touchdowns.