CM Punk vs. The Undertaker – Hell in a Cell – 2009
CM Punk’s first match inside Hell in a Cell saw him defend his World Heavyweight Championship against the most formidable performer in WWE history, The Undertaker. ‘The Straight Edge Superstar’ had beaten The Undertaker in their last two matches, once by count out on Smackdown and the other by a controversial submission at Breaking Point, reminiscent of the Montreal Screwjob. The Undertaker would enact his revenge by kidnapping Smackdown General Manager Theodore Long, who one week later announced a rematch between the two would take place at Hell in a Cell.
At the time, this was the biggest match in Punk’s budding career, and in the words of ‘Good ol’ JR”, “If he can beat The Undertaker tonight, it would put Punk among the greatest of all time in WWE.” However, this was not the case.
In a little over 10 minute match, the cunning Punk targeted ‘The Dead Man’s’ knee, and although he withstood a barrage of strikes and was thrown around the cell like a rag doll, he held his own and matched up well with The Undertaker. Ultimately a Chokeslam and a Tombstone Piledriver were enough for ‘The Deadman’ to pin Punk, and claim his seventh World Championship.
It was a match with a simple storyline, the resilient Undertaker going up against the undeserving, weasel of a champion. Given the length of the match, this was never going to be an instant classic, but it was entertaining and in many ways helped cement Punk as a main event star.
