WWE: 10 Best Raw Matches Of All Time

9. WWE Title: Rey Mysterio vs John Cena (July 25th, 2011)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHbfWHXVgMI After defeating The Miz to win the WWE title tournament earlier in the broadcast, Rey Mysterio was forced to defend the gold against John Cena later on in the show in what turned out to be a scintillating clash of styles in a match packed with perfectly timed manoeuvres and counters. In a bout where it was impossible for either mega face to garner enough heat to warrant an extended beatdown, the two stars instead played out a story in which they appeared to have scouted the other intensely, resulting in a string of anticipated reversals that played to both men's in ring strengths. Cena got to show off his power as he transitioned a 619 into a powerslam, whilst Mysterio proved his first rate ring awareness to counter an STF into his own version of the submission in a breathless display of agility and speed. Little touches, such as Cena's FU attempt failing as his legs buckled as a consequence of Mysterio's vicious kicks from moments before also added to the dimensions of a fantastic popcorn clash that came to an end when Cena thwarted another 619 attempt to land the winning FU for the pinfall. Further drama then followed straight after the match as CM Punk who had escaped with the belt following the Money in the Bank PPV, returned with new €œCult of Personality€ theme music, to let John Cena know who the real top dog of the company was. Punk, returning with title in hand kind of made a mockery of Rey's brief tournament winning title run but the pint sized in-ring artist nonetheless proved in four dynamic performances over the course of two shows that he was still one of the company's elite workers, whilst Cena once again showed that when it came to a big match situation, he was up there with the very best. Their match together is proof that a babyface clash can provide an engrossing atmosphere despite the strange dynamic.