25 Best John Cena Matches

The story of Money in the Bank 2011 has become almost mythical. CM Punk, reaching the end of his WWE contract, cut his infamous "pipe bomb" promo, excoriating Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, and WWE as a whole and becoming the hottest wrestler in the world. He was named number one contender and he vowed to win the WWE Championship from John Cena and leave the company with it.

The bout, which took place in Punk's hometown of Chicago, was backed up by one of the hottest crowds in wrestling history - a crowd who wanted John Cena's head. Punk weathered the champ's storm, taking two Attitude Adjustments and fighting back with a knee strike that caught Cena in the head. Punk came back with a Go To Sleep, but Vince McMahon and John Laurinaitis ran out, distracting Punk and allowing Cena to lock in an STF.

McMahon ordered the timekeeper to ring the bell, but Cena, wanting to win cleanly, released the hold. Cena attacked Laurinaitis, but when he came back in the ring, Punk caught him with another Go To Sleep and pinned him. As a furious McMahon watched on, Punk blew a goodbye kiss and disappeared into the crowd. The bout was one of the best in WWE history, and even though Punk picked up the win, it was Cena's finest hour.