Punk stepped up to face two of the most formidable mic wielders in WWE history, and he managed to send them both packing with skillful verbal strikes. Let’s roll with the baseball analogy for a bit here.
After Punk’s unforgettable pipebomb promo, the anticipation for Money In The Bank in Chicago was reaching its peak. This event was set to see Punk clash with John Cena in a match loaded with high stakes. The deal was straightforward: if Punk triumphed, he’d walk away from WWE taking the championship with him, and John Cena would lose his spot.
In a desperate move to retain Punk, Vince McMahon decided to tackle the situation personally, offering a new contract right in the middle of Monday Night Raw just days before MITB. Vince, as cocky and self-assured as always, was quickly reminded by Punk about who was really calling the shots.
Punk took it up a notch, even manhandling his boss (a little clause in the contract), and demanded the return of WWE ice cream bars (because, let’s face it, they’re a must!). He dropped this zinger: “Vince, I’ll kick you in the nuts, make you smile at me and like it, and show me some respect!”
Not too long after, Cena made his entrance, which prompted an outburst from Punk when Cena accused him of losing his way. Punk didn’t hold back, hammering Cena with the cold reality regarding his status in the wrestling world: this 10-time champ, who once thrived as an underdog, was anything but. Cena was no Boston Red Sox underdog anymore; he had morphed into the loathed New York Yankees. See? Baseball references again.
Naturally, Cena didn’t take kindly to the jab and delivered a punch to Punk, which sent him retreating to the very ramp where he launched his iconic pipebomb promo weeks back. Planting himself there, he confessed, “I’m glad you just punched me in the face, John… because it hit me like a bolt of lightning explaining why I no longer want to be here. I’m sick of this. I’m sick of you. I’m just tired.”
With that declaration, Punk announced that after Sunday night’s showdown at Money In The Bank, it would be time to bid farewell to the WWE championship, farewell to John Cena, and farewell to CM Punk.
BAM. That’s how you tell a story and create a must-see event when facing the likes of WWE’s own George Steinbrenner and Derek Jeter. More baseball, anyone? This performance by Punk often gets overshadowed by his legendary pipebomb, but in terms of impact and epicness, it’s right up there. Absolutely unforgettable.
