CM Punk's in-ring wrestling career has resumed with AEW in 2021, but the Second City Saint competed in a plethora of matches in his WWE run with some encounters forgotten about.The 2014 Royal Rumble match was the final time that CM Punk wrestled inside a WWE ring. However, CM Punk made a bang, seven years later by joining AEW. It was unlikely that Punk would wrestle again but thankfully he's back inside the ring and doing what he does best. Punk is an exceptional in-ring performer, and some of his matches have been out of this world.RELATED: Every CM Punk Singles Match In AEW So Far, Ranked Worst To BestPunk's major rivals in his WWE career were John Cena and Jeff Hardy. His WWE Championship win over Cena in front of his hometown fans in Chicago at Money in the Bank 2011 was memorable. As was his TLC victory over Jeff Hardy at SummerSlam 2009 was another memorable night in Punk's career. Inevitably, some matches in Punk's WWE career have flown under the radar since his marquee matches are best remembered.
10 CM Punk Vs. Chris Jericho - Raw (3/31/08)
The rivalry between CM Punk and Chris Jericho was highly competitive in 2012. However, their paths crossed for the first time in a one-on-one contest on the Raw after WrestleMania 24. Punk was in a rich vein of a form as he won the Money in the Bank ladder match, and Jericho was the reigning Intercontinental Champion.
They were only scratching the surface here, but it was evident that Punk and Jericho were destined to have greater battles. Y2J was in a commanding position, but Punk earned a huge win over Jericho with his patented GTS.
9 CM Punk Vs. Big Daddy V - No Mercy 2007
CM Punk thrives on performing in front of his hometown fans in Chicago, Illinois. At No Mercy 2007, Punk defended the ECW Championship against Big Daddy V. Unfortunately, this will go down as one of the worst matches in Punk's career.
Big Daddy V dominated the early stages with his power moves. However, Punk got the upper hand but the match barely lasted two minutes. Big Daddy V's manager Matt Striker intervened by attacking Punk which was a nonsensical move from Striker. Nevertheless, Punk retained the ECW Championship by disqualification.
8 CM Punk Vs. Kane - Backlash 2009
For the second year in succession, CM Punk won the Money in the Bank ladder match at WrestleMania 25. Mr. Money in the Bank collided with Kane in a grudge match at Backlash 2009. The Devil's Favorite Demon was far from happy as Punk won the Money in the Bank ladder match at his expense.
Kane dominated the match but Punk expertly worked on Kane's arm. It was a forgotten contest with the two World Title matches taking center stage on the card. Punk's efforts were thwarted with Kane blocking Punk's kicks, and he prevailed with a Chokeslam.
7 CM Punk Vs. Rey Mysterio - Armageddon 2008
There were high stakes on the line in CM Punk and Rey Mysterio's breathtaking clash at Armageddon 2008. The winner earned a future Intercontinental Championship match against William Regal. Punk and Mysterio knocked it out of the park in an outstanding wrestling match.
RELATED: 10 Great CM Punk Matches That Nobody Talks About
The former World Champions have a lot of aerial moves in their repertoire, and Mysterio connected with the 619. Mysterio was unable to capitalize with Punk finishing off the job with the GTS. Mysterio's nose was busted wide open, but Punk showed his class afterward to check on his opponent.
6 CM Punk Vs. Fandango - SmackDown (8/2/13)
On the August 2, 2013, edition of SmackDown, CM Punk had a tune-up match against Fandango. Punk had an upcoming match with Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam, and Punk returned to action in June after a brief hiatus. Nonetheless, the battle between Punk and Fandango was a competitive contest.
Punk was always going to prevail but Fandango looked strong here. He didn't do a lot after his victory over Jericho at WrestleMania 29. Ultimately, Punk's Anaconda Vise was enough for Punk to win with Fandango submitting almost instantly.
5 CM Punk Vs. Billy Gunn - Raw (1/20/14)
CM Punk squared off with Billy Gunn on the January 20, 2014 episode of Raw. This turned out to be Punk's final match on Raw. Whilst, it was great to see Punk facing off with a legend like Billy Gunn, he was no longer operating at a high level and passed his prime.
There was another caveat as Billy's tag team partner Road Dogg was positioned at the commentary table. They went back and forth but Punk had a foothold on proceedings. The Straight Edge Savior attacked Road Dogg on the outside. Moreover, Punk countered Billy's Fameasser and he successfully executed the GTS for the win.
4 CM Punk Vs. The Undertaker Vs. Batista Vs. Rey Mysterio - Bragging Rights 2009
Fatal-4-way matches can become hectic, and the one at Bragging Rights 2009 featured four World Champions. CM Punk was attempting to wrestle the World Heavyweight Championship away from The Undertaker, but Batista and Rey Mysterio were also involved in this high-caliber match.
RELATED: CM Punk's Career Told In Photos, Through The Years
The sequences were brilliant, and the match was fast-paced. Punk was the only heel involved in the bout. However, Punk was unable to secure his fourth World Heavyweight Championship reign with Undertaker finishing off Batista with the Tombstone with Punk and Mysterio on the outside.
3 CM Punk Vs. Elijah Burke - Unforgiven 2007
The early stages of CM Punk's WWE career saw him as a major star on the ECW brand. Punk finally grasped the ECW Championship, and Elijah Burke was one of his best rivals during that time frame. Their ECW Championship match at Unforgiven 2007 was a decent matchup between the pair.
Punk's matches during his time as a member of the ECW brand are barely spoken about. Burke was in cruise control for the majority of the bout. Nonetheless, Punk wasn't ready to part ways with the ECW Championship in a successful title defense.
2 CM Punk Vs. Curtis Axel & Paul Heyman - Night Of Champions 2013.jpg)
At Night of Champions 2013, CM Punk was in action against the reigning Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel and Paul Heyman in a no disqualification handicap elimination match. Punk's former manager Paul Heyman is not an in-ring specialist by any stretch of the imagination. Nevertheless, this match was tons of fun.
Axel pulled double duty as he successfully defended the Intercontinental Title earlier on in the night. Punk and Axel battered each other with kendo sticks. Punk also beat up Heyman with a kendo stick. However, Punk eliminated Axel, but all thanks to Ryback, Heyman covered Punk for the win.
1 CM Punk & Mason Ryan Vs. Kane & Big Show - Over The Limit 2011
Before the summer of Punk gained traction, CM Punk as the leader of the New Nexus teamed up with the muscle of the group, Mason Ryan. They challenged Kane and Big Show for the WWE Tag Team Championship at Over The Limit 2011 in a bid to reclaim the titles back to the faction.
This contest is forgotten about and it made little sense for Punk to team up with Ryan. Punk didn't take the fall, and Show and Kane retained the WWE Tag Team Championship after they executed a double chokeslam on Ryan.
