The CM Punk and John Cena WWE rivalry highlights have captured global attention once again, as both superstars prepare to face off at Night of Champions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia later this month. With anticipation building for their first one-on-one match in over ten years, fans are looking back at the memorable moments that defined their intense clash that began in the early 2010s.
The Birth of a Legendary Feud
John Cena and CM Punk first crossed paths as rivals in late 2010, when Punk emerged as the new leader of The New Nexus after Wade Barrett was removed from the role. Cena spent much of that summer battling Nexus under Barrett and later Punk, as the latter sought to elevate the group and his own status in WWE.
The New Nexus did not last long, but this period was critical for The Second City Saint. Punk began to establish himself as a major name, setting the stage for their storied rivalry and subsequent unforgettable matches.
The Shocking SummerSlam and Unexpected Betrayal
SummerSlam 2011 was a turning point, with CM Punk defeating John Cena to become the Undisputed WWE Champion. The celebration was cut short as Kevin Nash unexpectedly attacked Punk, leading to Alberto Del Rio cashing in his Money in the Bank contract to seize the WWE Title. This interference by Nash briefly shifted Punk’s focus, placing him in a feud that nearly stalled his momentum.
Despite these obstacles, Punk cemented his place in WWE history, rebounding with an extraordinary 434-day reign as WWE Champion from late 2011 through early 2013.
Canceled Clash Inside Hell in a Cell
During Punk’s record-setting championship reign, WWE had initially planned for him to defend his title against Cena inside Hell in a Cell at the 2012 premium live event. However, those plans were upended when Cena suffered an arm injury, which diminished the build-up and prevented their next feud from fully materializing.
Instead, Punk took on Ryback in the infamous Hell in a Cell match. With Brad Maddox, then a referee, getting involved, The Voice of the Voiceless retained his championship in dramatic fashion.
The Pipebomb Promo and Forgotten Tables Match
One of the most unforgettable promos in WWE history was Punk’s “pipebomb” on June 27, 2011, during RAW. However, many forget the circumstances surrounding it: at the time, John Cena was embroiled in a feud with R-Truth, culminating in a Tables match as RAW’s main event that night. With interference from Punk, Truth managed to defeat Cena. As tensions settled, Punk unleashed his now-legendary promo, igniting what became known as the Summer of Punk, an era that shaped WWE for the next two years.
The Final Singles Battle and its Legacy
Their last one-on-one showdown took place more than a decade ago, on February 25, 2013, during RAW. The stakes were high, as Cena and Punk clashed to determine who would face The Rock for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 29. In a fiercely contested match that saw Punk deliver a piledriver, Cena ultimately secured the victory by executing a Hurricanrana followed by his trademark Attitude Adjustment.
As anticipation mounts for their upcoming encounter in Saudi Arabia, fans and analysts alike wonder if CM Punk and John Cena will deliver another iconic chapter to their rivalry, with superstars like The Rock, Ryback, Brad Maddox, and Kevin Nash having influenced their journey. The intense emotions, historical context, and ever-present competition between these two legends ensure that their clash remains one of the most talked-about in WWE history.
