Ranking Every WWE World Title Reign After Money In The Bank Cash-Ins - From Worst To Best

5. CM Punk - 2009

CM Punk Extreme Rules 2009 cash-in
WWE.com

Punk's second run with the title following a cash-in may have lasted 20 days less than his first, but it was far more important and far more memorable for a number of reasons. After cashing-in on an exhausted Jeff Hardy at Extreme Rules in 2009, Punk began a slow heel turn that was resurrect his career in World Wrestling Entertainment and give him a whole new lease of life.

After defeating Edge and Hardy in a triple threat match, Punk and Hardy began their one-on-one feud proper. Punk retained the belt via DQ against Jeff at The Bash, and whilst this was a cheap retain it was necessary for the story to continue.

Everything about Punk's second reign via cash-in was different to the first. The second saw his character develop, his standing in the company improve and it also saw him turn heel in WWE for the first time. Sure, it only lasted 49 days, but it was an important 49 days.

Contributor
Contributor

Born in the middle of Wales in the middle of the 1980's, John can't quite remember when he started watching wrestling but he has a terrible feeling that Dino Bravo was involved. Now living in Prague, John spends most of his time trying to work out how Tomohiro Ishii still stands upright. His favourite wrestler of all time is Dean Malenko, but really it is Repo Man. He is the author of 'An Illustrated History of Slavic Misery', the best book about the Slavic people that you haven't yet read. You can get that and others from www.poshlostbooks.com.