100 Greatest WWE WrestleMania Moments
72. CM Punk Laughs As Damian Priest Cashes In (WrestleMania 40)
2024 will always be remembered for a carnage-filled feud between CM Punk and Drew McIntyre. Injuries didn't prevent WWE from telling their story here, nor did they stop Punk from ruining McIntyre's life at WrestleMania 40. The comeback king sat in on guest commentary for Drew's World Title win over Seth Rollins, then he had a bit of fun at the Scot's expense once McIntyre shoved success right in his face post-match.
Drew's inability to resist poking fun at Punk cost him in the end. Punk tripped him up on the announce desk then attacked McIntyre, which led to Damian Priest cashing in his Money In The Bank briefcase to shockingly become the second new champ of the second night's opening segment. Everyone was stunned, and the stupidly great Punk vs. McIntyre saga rolled on. Again, keep in mind WWE were doing all this even when they couldn't book a match between both rivals!
Take a bow, creative team.
A previously jovial Drew was humbled in front of his friends and family at ringside as Priest cashed in and Punk giggled away at the mayhem he'd just caused. This was strong stuff, and it deserves a place in any 'best of' look at 'Mania's most fun moments from over the years. WWE moved on from Seth in the championship chair, briefly gave McIntyre something to smile about, then they ripped it away and introduced Damian as a brand new headliner worth paying attention to.
That's a remarkable sequence of events. What a title change, what a moment and what a feud Punk and Drew would go on to enjoy.