10 Wrestling Matches Better Than The One Thing You Remember Them For

9. CM Punk Vs. Rey Mysterio (Over The Limit 2010)

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WWE.com

Known for: PG-mandated blood stoppage.

Why it's better than that: Recognised as a good effort which had the wind taken out of its sails, this hair vs. mask match should instead be remembered as a showcase of Punk's ingenuity in the face of an unexpected setback.

The WWE medical staff took forever to stop the bleeding on Punk's forehead, caused by Rey's hurricanrana to the barricade, at a point when the match was just beginning to generate serious heat. By the time they eventually managed to close the wound, the crowd had deflated completely. Punk then grabbed the occasion by the scruff of its neck, and rabidly assaulted Rey with stiff strikes and a brutal snap suplex outside of the ring. Mysterio looked like a rag doll out there - even more so than usual. In less than half a minute, the crowd were back to the same decibel level.

The match is equally famous for the post-match head shave, which signified the next chapter in Punk's career. However, it was the resourcefulness shown minutes earlier which really proved he was ready for the main event.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and surefire Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!