The Forgotten John Cena Vs. CM Punk Classic That No One Talks About 

In the build up to what will likely be the final ever meeting between John Cena and CM Punk at Night of Champions 2025, many fans took the time to reminisce about their iconic WWE feud. The pair have shared the ring multiple times over the years, competing in several classics in the process. Fans speak fondly about their Money in the Bank 2011 matchup and their instant classic on Monday Night RAW in 2013, but there is one meeting that always gets overlooked, and it just so happens to be at a very similar level to those two aforementioned show-stealers. Let’s take a look at the forgotten Punk vs. Cena classic that deserves way more attention.

John Cena & CM Punk Picked Up Their Rivalry In 2012

After Their Great 2011 Program, Punk & Cena Feuded Again

• Punk was once again a heel after his turn in 2012.
• He was embarking on a record-breaking run as WWE Champion.
• Cena was pursuing Punk this time around.

In 2011, John Cena and CM Punk engaged in the most memorable chapter of their iconic rivalry, putting on a classic at Money in the Bank 2011, and feuding over the following few months over the WWE Championship. After a while, Punk and Cena went their separate ways as Punk continued in the WWE Title scene and Cena turned his attention to the likes of The Rock and Brock Lesnar. Eventually, Cena became Mr. Money in the Bank, turning his attention finally back to CM Punk in 2012. In the summer of that year, Cena’s cash-in attempt failed, Punk turned heel, and they were very much embroiled in a rivalry once again.

In the lead-up to the show, Punk was given the opportunity to pick his own opponent for the PPV, selecting Cena under the condition that WWE’s face had to admit that Punk was the “Best in the World”. Cena refused, but General Manager at the time, AJ Lee, handed Cena a title shot anyway. This would be the first time that Punk and Cena had battled it out in singles action on a PPV since all the way back over a year prior at SummerSlam 2011 – it also just so happened to take place in Cena’s home state of Boston, offering up a role reversal from their Chicago clash at Money in the Bank.

John Cena & CM Punk Stole The Show At Night Of Champions 2012

Cena & Punk Showcased Their Chemistry In The Ring

• Punk’s heel work was on fire here.
• They traded smooth offense, finishers, and near-falls.
• In terms of crispness, this might have been their best ever match.

When it comes to the in-ring for this match between Cena and Punk, they hardly put a foot wrong. It was technically sound, Cena pulled out more moves from his arsenal than many fans hadn’t seen before, they were fluid in their reversals, counters, and sequences, and the audience loved every second of it. Punk added an extra layer with his heelish work, looking for underhanded ways to gain an advantage too, providing the match with a lot of psychology.

As the match progressed, Punk even pulled out moves like The Rock Bottom, not to mention all the finishers they traded with one another, providing many close near-falls that the crowd bought into. Punk and Cena had a knack of making their matches must-see main events that lived up to their billing, and this was no different. So why do fans not hold this one in the same regard as the Money in the Bank match and classic in 2013 on RAW? Well, it all comes down to the finish.

Why Do Fans Forget About This Cena Vs Punk Clash?

Their Night Of Champions Match Had A Frustrating Non-Finish

• WWE held a “Dusty Finish” at Night of Champions.
• Many thought Cena won, but his shoulders were also down.
• The match was a draw, and this result makes the whole thing more forgotten.

In the final moments of this match, Cena and Punk were each elevated on the ropes. Cena hit a giant Avalanche German Suplex from the top rope. The referee counted one, two… and three. To the shock of fans, Cena had pinned Punk with a move that wasn’t his finisher in what was a complete shock. Cena celebrated, thinking himself to be the new WWE Champion. However, shenanigans were afoot as it was revealed that during the pinfall, Cena’s shoulders were also on the mat, making this match a double pinfall and ultimately a draw.

Punk, shocked and overwhelmed with happiness, was handed back his WWE Title, retaining the gold. For a finish as murky and unsatisfactory as this headline a PPV, it left a sour taste in the mouths of some fans, making this match ultimately less historic and memorable. Cena, despite hiding it well, had also gotten injured in this match, so the planned Hell in a Cell rematch to perhaps tie up their rivalry never ended up happening, leaving this bout in a vacuum by itself. Outside of the finish, this was an absolute clinic that fans of both Cena and Punk need to watch.