50 Ups & 50 Downs For WWE's Decade: The 2010s

4. John Cena Vs CM Punk, Money In The Bank 2011

The culmination of a contract dispute storyline that bent conventional WWE narrative and embedded the very real parting concerns of a jaded performer, Money In The Bank 2011 threatened to make a megastar without the forceful hand of Vince McMahon.

In CM Punk, an increasingly frustrated section of the company's core audience had found their avatar, and were ready join him in his symbolic battle against the group's chief representative. This was nowhere as evident as in Punk's hometown of Chicago, where he'd vowed to take his final bow, and the WWE Championship from John Cena.

The reaction to his entrance was comparable to any of the loudest pops for Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin, The Rock or any other performers that can argue for a spot on wrestling's Mount Rushmore. Every twist, turn and struggle in the contest was felt through the raw, uncompromising emotion of his faithful followers. His unlikely victory and escape from the building with the title belt draws the sort of joyous shock and awe the McMahon family would bottle if they could.

Much to do with his acrimonious exit in 2014 and unlikely late-decade return, Chicago in particular hasn't ever abandoned the "CM Punk" chant as an act of protest. As much as anything, these are the echoes of this incredible night.