WWE Money in the Bank 2011: CM Punk Beats John Cena for WWE Championship

Big Nasty will be keeping a running diary of what appear to be CM Punk's final days in WWE (for now).  Reports of Punk's reticence to sign a contract extension seem to point to the fact that he is gearing up to leave the company.

With D-Day finally here, more than a month long build-up came to a head earlier tonight as WWE showcased what is believed to be CM Punk's final match in his hometown of Chicago against John Cena. 

If CM Punk leaving the WWE all turns out to be part of an elaborate work, and he indeed is re-signed with the company, he was certainly committed to the act as his mainstream media interviews all helped further the notion that he was fed up, burnt out and ready to split. 

Earlier today, just hours before the final hour, it was revealed that Punk was offered a five-year contract extension, and a role in a non-WWE produced horror film, of which he declined.

The Allstate Arena in Chicago figured to be a hotbed for excitement as a truly special environment, fertile for history, had been created. 

CHICAGO, Ill. - July 17.  WWE seemed to be in full on "appease CM Punk" mode from the outset of their highly anticipated pay-per-view offering.  They were in his hometown, and the opening video package for Money in the Bank made no mention of the match in which it was named after. 

Instead, the WWE chose to focus solely on the storyline that will figure to drive the buyrate for WWE's answer to the midsummer classic.

Traces of CM Punk were apparent throughout the pay-per-view leading up to his big match with John Cena, from the Chicago crowd chanting his name throughout the pay-per-view, to the surprising booking in the SmackDown Money in the Bank match. 

With larger than life Europeans Wade Barrett and Sheamus emerging as favorites in the SmackDown Money in the Bank match, it was former ROH wrestler Daniel Bryan who was victorious in the match. 

Bryan's SmackDown MITB win came in light of CM Punk saying in interviews that WWE is failing to capitalize on up and coming talent, which is something that Punk's former ROH co-worker has personified for years in the wrestling business. 

Bryan has had a similar upbringing in WWE to CM Punk as he has often been scaled back and booked questionably, likely due to his ties in the independent pro wrestling scene.  

The night was book ended with the SmackDown MITB match and what is presumed to be CM Punk's final match in the WWE. 

Punk was once again highlighted in a well done video package, and the WWE production team allowed the zealous Chicago crowd to chant and cheer for their hero for several seconds before they finally introduced him to the hottest WWE crowd of the year. 

Punk relished in the adoration from his passionate Chicago fanbase, giddily shuffling around the ring as the fan reaction only intensified.  

The Allstate Arena was adorned with riot-oriented signs as Cena made his way to the ring to as hostile of a reaction as he could wish for. 

One interested spectator in particular is former WWE Superstar turned embittered ex-WWE independent contractor Chavo Guerrero, who took Cena to task just hours before the WWE Championship match.

"

“Ok, don’t “Fin” say that people will talk about this for years if you’re going to let Punk do all the work and not deliver at the PPV, Cena. I am tired and I know fans are tired of WWE Superstars talking big and not delivering.

"We don’t want to see someone just in a fight. And frankly no one believes it anymore. If Miz can kick your ass then the clerk at the store can kick your ass, so please deliver if you say that..

“People will remember this PPV. You know Punk will bring “it”. I’ve been in the ring with both of you and Punk has “it”. Cena you have mic skills yes but if you think people believe your BS lazy comeback that you do exactly the same every match then you are mistaken.

"Eddie and I taught you different. We never said “get lazy” and do the damn thing every night. We always said “think out of the box” and give the fans what they deserve and not rely on the “machine” to “get you over”.

“I hope this lights a fire under your ass and you deliver this Sunday. Don’t just rest on you being over cause you are and that is easy. Challenge yourself and give the fans what they deserve. That’s why they boo you. Because they aren’t stupid.

"They know what they pay for and the “great” promo guy but the shitty “match” guy that you have become is not what they want. I understand “longevity” but at the sacrifice of the fans trust is not worth it. Deliver on your fans and deliver on why you got into this business.

"Eventually the fans that you have gained with from the purple t-shirts will turn on you. Take a lesson from the Hulkster. Give the fans there $ worth and don’t become just another “promo” guy.

"I know you love this biz and don’t get distracted from the McMahon $. Deliver please!! Have enough respect for your fans because without them, you’re working at a fast food chain.

“Love you man and I support you and hope you see this because I know Punk will and I know he’s going to bring it because he’s got nothing to lose!”

"

Cena once again answered his critics in a hostile, big match environment reminiscent of WrestleMania XXII in Chicago. 

Cena and Punk worked an entertaining back and forth match for over half an hour (see part 1 and part 2 of the full match breakdown) in a Money in the Bank main event that lived up to its high expectations. 

The match climaxed with a tease of a Chicago screw job from Mr. McMahon, a Chicago screw job that did not happen (I thank you) thanks to an honorable move by John Cena. 

Cena cut off WWE VP of talent relations John Laurinaitis as he attempted to make the ring announcer ring the bell.  The distraction was long enough to cause Cena to walk into the GTS as CM Punk captured the WWE Championship. 

Another popular theory was debunked as Vince McMahon called upon Alberto Del Rio to cash in the MITB briefcase.  Del Rio ate a roundhouse kick for his troubles and CM Punk left Chicago with the WWE Championship. 

2.9 be damned, tomorrow night's RAW should draw a strong rating as interest in the CM Punk angle will only increase, and curious fans will want to know what the fate of the WWE Championship and John Cena's career will be. 

Follow Big Nasty on Twitter @ThisIsNasty.