John Cena vs CM Punk have had many clashes in the WWE ring, but here we will talk about their 7 best matches in WWE history.
WWE fans value rivalries that go beyond mere competition. Few have caught the attention of the fans like John Cena vs. CM Punk. Their clashes represented a cultural divide: Cena, the eternal company superhero embodying WWE’s mainstream ethos, versus Punk, the rebellious independent veteran demanding respect for wrestling’s artistry.
This collision produced some of the most emotionally charged, technically brilliant matches of the modern era. Here are their seven greatest encounters, ranked for storytelling, ring work, and lasting impact.
Cena vs. Punk Rivalry Overview:
| WWE Show & Date | Who Wins | Memorable Moment |
|---|---|---|
| SummerSlam, August 14, 2011 | Punk wins by submission | Punk leaves with the WWE Championship |
| Money in the Bank, September 18, 2011 | Draw (both escape) | Cage rakes, no solid finish |
| SummerSlam (rematch), August 19, 2011 | Cena wins by submission | Cena takes back the WWE Championship |
| Raw, November 28, 2011 | Punk wins clean | Non-title match proves their bond |
| Royal Rumble, January 27, 2013 | Punk wins by GTS | The late match shows pure in-ring ability |
| Night of Champions, September 15, 2013 | Cena wins by DQ | Punk at DQ’d, backstage brawl aftermath |
| Raw (Street Fight), April 8, 2024 | Cena wins by pin | Tables, thumbtacks, glass, full chaos |
1. Summerslam 2011 — The Chicago Dream Match
In August 2011, WWE staged a blockbuster main event, John Cena vs CM Punk, with the WWE Championship on the line.
CM Punk’s contract was set to expire that night; if he won, he would leave the title and WWE. Tensions were high.
They opened with a wrestling clinic, chain wrestling, near-falls, and psychology.
Cena powered Punk out of the ring early, showing his brute force. Punk responded with crafty holds and fast-paced offense. When Cena hit his Attitude Adjustment, the crowd screamed. Later, Punk countered, turning a Superman Punch into the Go-To-Sleep.
Punk forced Cena to tap out with the Anaconda Vise. He won the WWE Championship and symbolically walked out with the title. This ending kick-started the “Summer of Punk”.
2. Money in the Bank 2011 — WWE Championship Steel Cage Match
Just one month after Summerslam, Cena and Punk met again, in a steel cage in Chicago. Punk, now WWE Champion, faced Cena in a rematch born of unfinished business. The stakes? WWE history.
A cage match with brutal hits, cage rakes, slams, and near escapes. They traded offense back and forth. Cena hung Punk from the top turnbuckle. Punk chopped Cena against the cage steel repeatedly. The Chicago crowd roared with every move.
Cena escaped, but the bell rang when Punk’s foot hit the floor. Technically, it was a tie. CM Punk kept the WWE Championship. The contentious finish forced a rematch at SummerSlam, continuing the rivalry’s heat.
3. SummerSlam 2011 — WWE Championship Rematch
This time, it was a technically sound match, the rubber match after MJ and MITB. Both men were worn but determined.
Cena shredded Punk’s ankle. Punk focused on Cena’s shoulder. They worked methodically. Near-falls came in waves. Cena hit a big shoulder tackle. Punk responded with knee strikes and the flying clothesline.
Cena locked in Punk with the STF. With the hold deep, Punk had little choice: he tapped out. Cena recaptured the WWE Championship.
4. Raw November 2011 — Non‑Title Match
This was a rare non-title match on Raw. Cena and Punk got a reprieve from the championship scene. This match was to show pure competition, no belts, just pride.
They came in fresh. Punk darted around Cena, working with fast chops and front facelocks. Cena responded with power takedowns. The crowd was bold, chanting “CM Punk!” Cena wrestled back with lifting slam combinations.
Punk slipped out of the STF and hit a kick-right into the GTS. He pinned Cena. No title, no drama, just pure in-ring quality. It showed Punk could hang without a belt.
5. Royal Rumble 2013 — WWE Championship Match
By January 2013, Punk had captured the WWE Championship from The Rock at Survivor Series 2012. Cena challenged Punk at the Royal Rumble, facing off amid shifting dynamics, Punk was now the veteran.
Clean, sharp wrestling. They exchanged forearms and quick pins. Punk went for the jumping elbow drop. Cena hit him with a massive shoulder block against the ropes. They traded finishers, both hit go-for-broke offenses.
Punk countered the Attitude Adjustment into the GTS. He pinned Cena again. Punk retained. The win cemented Punk’s status and put a bad spin on Cena’s 2013 title chase.
6. Night of Champions 2013 — WWE Championship Match
Another chapter in the rivalry. Cena got another chance at Punk’s title in early September 2013. The tension had matured: Cena was chasing, Punk was defending, and respect was growing along with the rivalry.
They clashed mid-match. Punk tried the GTS, Cena powered him up. Cena locked in with the STF. It got personally aggressive. Punk tied Cena in the ropes for leverage, and the referee caught it. Punk got DQ’d, he kept the title, but Cena won.
This meant that the title change did not happen. The backstage brawl sealed it; they fought across the walls of the building. This showed that the rivalry was still alive.
7. Raw April 2024 — Street Fight Throwback
Although it’s long after the height of their rivalry, Cena and Punk reunited on RAW in April 2024 in a nostalgic, no-holds-barred Street Fight. The match wasn’t for a title, but for old-school pride and storytelling.
The crowd went crazy. They fought through tables, steel steps, and chairs. Cena hit Punk off the apron through a table. Punk responded with Go-To-Sleep through the steel steps. It was messy, brutal, and loud.
Punk slipped, Cena hit a second Attitude Adjustment. Cena pinned Punk on top of thumbtacks. It was fast. It was showmanship. And it reminded fans why this rivalry still pops, even in the present.
John Cena vs CM Punk — Which Match Takes the Crown?
If you want heart‑stopping drama, SummerSlam 2011 tops the list. It launched Punk into superstardom and reshaped WWE’s narrative. The steel cage match is a close second for sheer brutality and crowd fervor.
Every match in this rivalry has a story, and fans may prefer tech over chaos, or drama over brutality. That’s the beauty of Cena vs Punk: you can pick a favorite and make a strong case.
John Cena vs CM Punk gave us more than matches. It offered emotion, tension, unpredictability, and celebration of wrestling craft.
Their seven best encounters show a rivalry that evolved from confrontation to respect. Even in 2024, a street fight on Raw reminded fans that the spark is still alive.