10 Real Life Events That Forced WWE Title Changes

4. CM Punk Wins WWF Title On Day His Contract Expires At Money In The Bank 2011

This is one of the biggest stories in recent years. After CM Punk's memorable 'pipe bomb' promo, there was a lot of discussion about how Punk's WWE contract was expiring. The word came out that he was signed through the July 17 Money in the Bank event that was going to take place in Punk's hometown of Chicago as he was set to take on John Cena for the WWE Title.

What was going to happen during the match? We really had no idea going into it. There was a feeling that Punk was going to end up winning the WWE Title and then they would have the Money in the Bank winner cash in to steal the WWE Title from him. Maybe Cena would retain and Punk was leaving.

Punk ended up defeating Cena clean for the WWE Title. He also managed to fight off Money in the Bank winner Alberto Del Rio, who was sent out there by Vince McMahon. It was one of the best matches of the past ten years, and a very cool moment because of how WWE turned this real life situation into a great story.

Punk ended up re-signing with WWE prior to Money in the Bank, although we didn't know that until after the show. He got a nice raise on his salary, added perks and became a bigger star in the aftermath.