In the spring of 2011, CM Punk and Randy Orton competed in two excellent matches that showed a chemistry that had, to that point, been untapped by WWE creative. Their first meeting at WrestleMania 27 saw Punk target the knee of Orton and appear on his way to victory when Orton caught him in midair with an RKO and scored the pinfall victory. A month later, the Viper replicated his success, delivering a breathtaking RKO from the top rope and beating Punk in a Last Man Standing match. Punk never did get his win back on a major pay-per-view stage as he moved on to feuding with Kane, Big Show and Rey Mysterio before catapulting into the main event stratosphere with the Summer of Punk story. The feud was so one-sided thanks to Punk's contract negotiations and the fact that the Superstars never really clashed in any substantial match or program since is quite astonishing. Had Punk remained with the company, 2014 could have seen the rekindling of the rivalry. Orton, coming off a WWE World Heavyweight Championship reign that lasted nearly seven months, is in need of some freshening up and competing against Punk would go a long way in accomplishing that. Punk could have easily poked fun of the Viper for his lapdog nature over the last half-year and, in the process, drew the devious, vile and unpredictable nature of the fast-striking Superstar back out of him. It would have been extremely beneficial to Orton, who has lost quite a deal of credibility and fanfare since turning heel back at SummerSlam in August. For Punk, it would have given him the opportunity to right a wrong from his past and finally defeat the third-generation star in a match of meaning. Instead, he sits at home healing his wounds and clearing his mind as fans are left to wonder whether or not Punk vs. Orton is a match they will ever see again.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
