100 Greatest WWE Matches Of All Time (Ranked)
27. Jeff Hardy vs. CM Punk (SummerSlam 2009)
What was that about CM Punk blending splashes of reality with storyline goodness? In 2009, the 'Straight Edge Saviour' pointed to Jeff Hardy's substance abuse issues like they were a giant neon WrestleMania sign. WWE's story included Punk alleging that he was simply better/sharper than Jeff ever could be because he was squeaky clean. That angered Hardy and his legion of fans.
On commentary, announcers claimed that CM couldn't hope to hang with Jeff in a TLC match. After all, Hardy had carved out a name for himself in the history books by taking death-defying risky aplenty in tag action since 1999, so he was a dead cert to retain the World Heavyweight Championship whilst crashing through tables, leaping off ladders and using chairs to his advantage.
Or not.
Despite their very-real personal problems with each other individually (which admittedly didn't become a real issue until afterwards), Punk and Jeff put on a stunning show rife with all the big spots people had come to know and love from TLC bouts. Then, rather shockingly, it was CM Punk who scored the win and the title by hauling down the gold after knocking Hardy off the ladder.
Mid-celebration, Punk was interrupted by The Undertaker and one hell of a chokeslam. That set up things to come at Breaking Point the next month, but fans weren't quick to forget what Punk and Jeff had done at SummerSlam '09. Honestly, if you only watched this live at the time and haven't revisited some gems from Punk's first WWE run yet, then you need to see this one again.