CM Punk's WWE Matches In Chicago Ranked From Worst To Best

Less than 24 hours after dispatching John Bradshaw Layfield to retain his World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam, Punk was put in a match against a fresh Chris Jericho, who didn't work a match at that year's SummerSlam. He was too busy punching Shawn Michaels' wife, Rebecca, in the mouth at the event instead.

Punk and Jericho worked their first (and less famous) of three matches in the 'Windy City', a 13-minute enjoyable back-and-forth match, as they usually did. Their chemistry was evident in some spots throughout the bout, particularly when Punk escaped a Walls of Jericho attempt by using a hurricanrana, which delighted those in attendance.

Lance Cade helped 'Y2J' score a win over the World Champion, getting up on the apron and distracting Punk long enough for Jericho to hit a quick Codebreaker for the victory. Sure, Punk's reign was far from perfect and he took some unnecessary losses on free television as champion, but at least he was somewhat protected here since Jericho didn't work SummerSlam.

Also on this episode of RAW, GM Mike Adamle (oh God, the memories...) announced Punk would defend the belt at Unforgiven the following month in the first ever 'Championship Scramble'. Little did anyone know he actually wouldn't, getting attacked by The Legacy backstage and replaced in the match by the man who would walk away with the gold, Chris Jericho.