Here are 10 of the best CM Punk matches through his entire wrestling career

Here are 10 of the best CM Punk matches through his entire wrestling career

Grace Waruguru
March 18, 2024 at 1:07 PM

What are the best CM Punk matches? American wrestler Phillip Jack Brooks, popularly known as ''The Best of the Best,'' is among the legendary pro wrestlers whose impressive record has earned him a place in the wrestling creme de la creme. Jack Brooks has had many classic matches against some of the best WWE wrestlers.

CM Punk, Chris Jericho, Brock Lesnar
CM Punk (L), Chris Jericho (Center), and Brock Lesnar (Right) . Photo: Michael Kovac, Stewart Cook, Ethan Miller (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Table of Сontents:

Jack Brooks was born in October 1978 and has been part of several promotions, including Total NonStop Wrestling (TNA) from 2002-2004 and Ring of Honour (ROH) from 2002-2006. His initial retirement was in 2014, but he made several appearances afterwards. Here are the best CM Punk matches throughout his career.

Best CM Punk matches

Brooks joined All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in 2021 before returning to WWE, where he had exited in 2013. Here is the best of CM Punk according to online sources like Khel Now and Daily DDT.

10. CM Punk vs Brock Lesnar: SummerSlam 2013

Brock Lesnar and CM Punk
Brock Lesnar at an open workout for UFC 200 in July 2016. CM punk attends the Premiere of "Girl on the Third Floor" in October 2019. Photo: Ethan Miller, Robin Marchant (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

The SummerSlam 2013 match between CM Punk and Brock Lesnar is one of CM Punk's highest-rated matches. The 25-minute fight saw an aggressive exchange between the two wrestlers until Paul Heyman interfered. CM attacked his former friend, Heyman, but Brock took advantage of the distraction to attack his opponent and win the match.

9. CM Punk vs Chris Jericho: Payback 2013

Chris Jericho and CM Punk
Chris Jericho in Hollywood on October 14th, 2019. CM Punk at the Premiere of "Girl on the Third Floor" in October 2019. Photo: Tommaso Boddi, John Wolfsohn (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

The Payback 2013 match against Chris Jericho is one of the best CM Punk matches of all time. Jack Brooks had just returned from a ring break when Jericho challenged him to return for a Payback fight after losing the WWE Championship.

The event went down in CM's hometown, Chicago, where CM edged out Jericho after several hits and punches between the two wrestlers.

8.CM Punk vs MJF, Revolution 2022

One of CM Punk's best AEW matches was against Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) in Revolution 2022. According to online sources, the match allegedly had the greatest storyline in AEW history. According to online analysts, the brutal fight felt like a real war, with the wrestlers almost killing one another, living up to the expectations of the eager crowd. CM came out victorious.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman and CM Punk
Maxwell Jacob Friedman (L) visits the SiriusXM Studios in August 2023. CM Punk (R) at the UFC 225 weigh-in in June 2018. Photo: Cindy Ord, Josh Hedges (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

7. CM Punk vs Jeff Hardy: Steel Cage Match

The Steel Cage Match is among CM Punk's best ECW matches. It was also the last Jeff Hardy's fight before exiting the WWE. The two wrestlers had a feud and agreed that the loser would leave the promotion. Previously, Jack Brooks had cashed in his money on Jeff winning the World Heavyweight Championship.

The Smackdown Steel Cage Match saw CM attack Jeff from the back during his entry performance, pushing him to the cage as he entered the ring. Jeff stopped him from entering the cage, but Brooks fought to climb first, winning the contest.

CM Punk and Jeff Hardy
CM Punk (L) attends the UFC 182 weigh-in event in January 2018. Jeff Hardy (R) speaks at the Wizard World Philadelphia in June 2017. Photo: Josh Hedges, Cory Clark (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

6. CM Punk vs Chris Jericho: Extreme Rules 2012

In 2012, Chris Jericho returned to the WWE, hoping to retain his ''Best in the World'' title, which Punk held since 2011. The two battled it out at Wrestlemania 28, and CM won. Despite losing, Chris continued to attack and challenge CM's persona.

Jericho later challenged Brooks to a Chicago Street Fight at Extreme Rules. He insulted CM's sister, leading to a bitter exchange between the two. Punk successfully retained his WWE Championship after defeating Jericho.

Best CM Punk matches in the WWE
CM Punk (R) speaks to Chris Jericho (L) during their match in 2012. Photo: @WWE (modified by author)
Source: Youtube

5. Samoa Joe vs CM Punk: ROH Punk II 2004

The match against Samoa Joe, ROH, and CM Punk was among CM Punk's best ROH matches. CM used a simple headlock, putting in every effort to tear Joe down and keep him from throwing strikes. The game lasted for 60 minutes with a time-limit draw.

Samoa Joe in August 2018
Samoa Joe in ring during match vs AJ Styles at Barclays Center, Brooklyn, on August 19, 2018. Photo: Rob Tringali (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

4. CM Punk vs Brock Lesnar: No Disqualification, SummerSlam 2013

CM Punk returned to the WWE in 2013 to face Chris Jericho at the Payback PPV. Within a short time, he got into fights with Brock Lesnar, whom he challenged to a battle at SummerSlam. The match contained a no-disqualification (DQ) clause and is among the best CM Punk matches in the WWE.

Jack Brooks was the underdog but proved everyone wrong by hitting Brock with the ''Go to Sleep'' punch. Paul Heyman interfered to save Brock Lesnar. CM retained his star rating despite losing the game.

Brock Lesnar in July 2016
Brock Lesnar walks to the Octagon for his fight against Daniel Cornier during the UFC 200 event at T-Mobile Arena on July 9, 2016, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Rey Del Rio (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

3. CM Punk vs Jeff Hardy: SummerSlam 2009

One of the best CM Punk's matches on Cagematch is the 2009 SummerSlam against Jeff Hardy. The rivalry between the WWE stars significantly boosted WWE's ratings that year and led to a heated match. The Sportster rated the game 8.5/10.

The wrestlers exchanged chair hits and threw each other over ladders and on the broadcast table. Punk knocked down Jeff, but his brief celebration ended after the lights went off, and Undertaker swapped him with Jeff.

Jeff Hardy of WWE
Jeff Hardy attends Wizard World Comic Con Philadelphia 2017 at Pennsylvania Convention Center on June 1, 2017, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo: Gilbert Carrasquillo (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

2. CM Punk vs The Undertaker: WrestleMania 29

After The Undertaker's Old School Raw win in 2013, Jack Brooks accepted his challenge to wrestle him at WrestleMania. CM continually teased The Undertaker during the game as the wrestlers exchanged blows, flying double axles and a GTS. The Undertaker eventually won the fight, taking his WrestleMania record to 21-0.

Retired wrestler The Undertaker
The Undertaker holds the Riyadh season trophy after final match between Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, on February 8, 2024. Photo: Fayez Nureldine (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

1. CM Punk vs John Cena: Money in the Bank 2011

Jack Brooks won the historic match against John Cena in Chicago and later defeated Del Rio and Rey Mysterio. Unfortunately, he was suspended from WWE shortly after, but Cena forced McMahon to reinstate him.

CM's match against John Cena was among his 5-star rated bouts by Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer, published by TJR Wrestling. It was also the first WWE match to earn a 5-star rating in the 21st century.

John Cena at Sirius XM Studios
John Cena visits SiriusXM Studios on February 21, 2024, in Miami Beach, Florida. Photo: Jason Koerner (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Frequently asked questions

Jack Brooks is one of the most successful WWE superstars. He has entertained fans with his talent and skills. His illustrious career has earned him more fans and respect.

How long did CM Punk hold the WWE Championship?

CM held the WWE title for a record 434 days. WWE ranks him sixth among the wrestlers with the longest World Championship reign.

What was CM Punk's best match?

Punk's 2011 Money in the Bank game against John Cena is his best match in the WWE. CM won the battle, which received a five-star rating.

Who defeated CM Punk for the WWE Championship?

The Rock ended CM's 434-day reign as WWE Champion at the Royal Rumble in January 2013. Brooks had defeated his opponent before Mr. McMahon came out, forcing the match to restart, according to the Bleacher Report. The Rock pinned down the defending champion.

Final word

The best CM Punk matches depict a successful career that saw him battle with the best on the scene and live up to his reputation. Besides wrestling, the 45-year-old is a Mixed Martial Artist.

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The one-time 1-time MCW Southern Heavyweight Championship was born in Codsall, Staffordshire, England. He is married to Christina Beddoes, and they have three children. Check out his life story through the above article.

Authors
Grace Waruguru photo
Grace Waruguru
Grace has over 4 years of experience in article writing and digital media content creation for various local and global brands. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication (Public Relations) from Daystar University, Kenya.