CM Punk’s Top 10 WWE Matches
By Tim Sherry
8. CM Punk vs. Alberto Del Rio – Survivor Series 2011
There are definitely better in-ring matches than this one between Punk and ADR, but this match was an example of how a simple story line could work out so well. Add that to the fact that this night contained one of the most feel-good moments in Punk’s career, it needs to be on the list. Working with Del Rio in front of a red hot crowd at Madison Square Garden, the two engaged in a very technical, hard-hitting bout for the WWE Championship.
Through the Summer of 2011, Punk was the consensus most popular wrestler on the roster, so much so that even Triple H’s attempt to bury him at Night of Champions with a loss was only met with more fanfare for Punk. When the crowd speaks, occasionally the WWE brass listens, and that’s what happened here. Punk strong-armed his way into the match with Del Rio, the same man who took the belt from him three months prior via a MITB briefcase cash in.
Again, this was a solid tilt. Del Rio worked Punk’s left arm brilliantly and Punk was on a tear through their 17 minutes in the ring. Del Rio battled tirelessly to avoid the GTS only to get caught in the Anaconda Vice for an almost immediate tap-out. Punk’s post-match celebration of jumping into the NYC crowd still gives me the chills and it proved even further that Punk was the people’s choice. This win would touch off a record-breaking 434-day reign for Punk as champ and essentially carry the WWE through 2012.
The only thing wrong about this match was the “main event” which preceded it—a tag match pitting John Cena and The Rock vs. The Awesome Truth.
Next: No. 7