CM Punk: A Look Back at His 16 Best WWE Moments so Far (Video Slideshow)

I said "So Far" in the title because I believe Punk will not be gone for good after MITB. He is too valuable of an asset to WWE.

His appeal to the indie wrestling fans is clear, and he has broken through that wall which allows him to also appeal to the mainstream fans.

His in ring skills are well above average, his mic skills are some of the best in the business and his "I do things my way" Style speaks to much of today's youth.

If Vince McMahon lets Punk slip through his fingers, it will be the biggest mistake he has made in a long time. Sure, Punk insulted your family, but who in the wrestling business hasn't?

With WWE legends, superstars and Divas supporting Punk after the promo, I think it proves that this was a wake up call the WWE has needed for a long time.

Punk has had a pretty great career in WWE so far. He has held the IC, ECW, Tag and World titles, all of which were within about a years time frame, plus he is a two time money in the bank winner.

Combine all those accomplishments with the fact that he is know the world over for his great story telling ability in the ring, and you have one of the best superstars of today.

Here I will highlight what I feel are some of Punk's best moments in the WWE so far

Debut

When CM Punk first showed up on the scene, it was clear he was not just another cookie cutter wrestler molded in the image of what we expect out of WWE superstars.

He was covered in tattoos, relatively small in comparison to many of his opponents and had a style all his own, mixing jiu jitsu with submissions and great mat wrestling.

Punk was well known on the Indy scene before making his way to ECW, and his loyal fans followed him.

His matches on ECW quickly elevated him to being the most popular star on the brand.

ECW Champion

CM Punk's first taste of gold came when he won the ECW Championship from John Morrison.

You could see the sheer joy on Punk's face when he was clutching the belt at the end of the video.

I would say that next to Christian, CM Punk was the best ECW Champion during the WWE/ECW show on Sci-fi.

Some may disagree and say RVD, but I don't think he stuck around long enough for him to be the best of this ECW run.

Punk went on to win more gold, but this may have been the most important win to him.

All Money

CM Punk won the Money in the Bank match at Wrestlemania 24, making it his biggest win up to that point.

Punk was one of the favorites heading into the match, but many people were expecting Jericho or Morrison to walk away with the case that year.

CM Punk beat six other superstars in Jericho, Morrison, MVP, Kennedy, Carlito and Shelton.

If you watch this video at around 2:03, you see Carlito give one of his best back crackers ever.

Cashing in on Edge

CM Punk was drafted to Raw, and within one week, he was World Champion.

He used his Money in the Bank briefcase to get his shot after Batista had destroyed Edge.

Punk made his way past The Animal on the ramp on his way to the ring, not even making eye contact. His mission was Edge, and he was focused on that.

Now some people questioned this move because Punk was a face and he seemed to take the easy road out, but that's what the MITB is all about. Someone taking advantage of a situation is how almost every cash in has gone down; why change it just because he was a good guy.

This video is great because you see Punk celebrating with genuine happiness spread across his face.

Tagging with Kofi

While they only held the titles for around 45 days, Kofi and Punk were an exciting combination.

They were members of Team Batista at Survivor Series that year, but their team lost to Team Orton.

The title match happened on October 27, 2008, and they lost the titles to Miz and Morrison on December 13.

This was not Punk's best title reign, but it set him on a path to break a record.

What record you ask, read the next slide.

Fastest Triple Crown Winner

CM Punk has always been open about his respect for William Regal, and he should be.

Regal is one of the best technicians in the business, and while he has never been a main eventer in WWE, he has helped to train some of the best WWE has to offer, including Daniel Bryan.

Punk faced off against Regal on January 19, 2009 right before the Royal Rumble in a no DQ match for the IC title.

They had a great match, which of course ended in a Punk win.

This title made Punk the fastest Triple Crown winner, shattering the previous record held by Kevin Nash.

2 Time Money in the Bank

Being a two time money in the bank winner is nothing new; after all, Edge did it, but to do it two consecutive years may have been a feat we will never see again.

Punk has always been a solid performer who can churn out the match of the night on a regular basis, but it is these big moments at Mania where he shines the most.

Cashing in on Hardy

While on his quest for a second World Title, Punk tried to cash in his case several time, only to be thwarted by Umaga each time.

This led to a strap match at Extreme Rules. But that was not Punk's only match that night.

After Jeff Hardy won his match for the World Heavyweight Championship, Punk gave us one of his now trademark shocking moments when he cashed in the case against Hardy.

This may not have been the official heel turn, but it put the move in motion. Many fans were upset because Hardy had only been champion for a minute when Punk challenged him, but that's the name of the game.

Punk Turns Heel

Between his second and third title reign, Punk turned full on heel, attacking Jeff Hardy.

The whole mess started when Hardy didn't believe Punk had an eye injury during a match. Punk eventually claimed to be the moral superior of the two, having never used drugs or alcohol.

This move allowed Punk to use his real life lifestyle to become one of the best heels WWE has to offer.

Punk Sends Jeff Hardy Packing

In a loser leaves WWE match, CM Punk squared off against Jeff Hardy in a steel cage.

The match came after Punk and Hardy had traded the World title back and forth, and a final and true champion needed to be crowned.

This was the feud of the year on Smackdown. Both men delivered great promos leading into the match, and the fans were as into it as I have ever seen.

I was a Hardy fan, but I was rooting for Punk in this match because I already knew Jeff was on his way out the door.

Montreal Screwjob Redux

When it was announced that Undertaker was facing Punk in a submission match, pretty much everyone thoguth Taker would win with the Hell's gate, and he almost did.

After Taker thought he won, Teddy Long announced the hold was still banned and restarted the match. Punk applied the Anaconda Vice, and the Ref called for the bell.

It was a moment so familiar; oh yeah, it happened in that same building over a decade earlier.

McMahon knew he would get a hot reaction from the crowd by having a second screwjob happen in Montreal, and he was right.

Straight Edge Society

Punk's first stable experience in WWE came when he formed the straight Edge society with Serena, Luke Gallows and later, Joey Mercury.

This group was supposed to be a way to get Punk back into the main event picture, and it worked for a bit, but the group fell apart because Gallows and Serena never got over, and Mercury was too little too late.

I wish this storyline had gone better because it had huge potential.

CM Punk Loses His Hair

CM Punk faced off against Rey Mysterio in a hair vs mask match that saw CM Punk lose.

Now while this may not be a win, or even a highlight, it shows that CM Punk is willing to go that extra step to entertain fans.

Some guys who have grown out their signature long hair for years might be adverse to cutting it off, but Punk was a team player, and knowing Mysterio wouldn't lose his mask, he went for it.

Not his best moment, but one that shows he is dedicated to his craft.

New Nexus

I think this moment should stand out more than it does because it was a surprise to everyone.

No one knew who would be the new defacto leader of the group that had been making everyone in WWE's lives a living hell.

Barrett was out, and Cena said no, which left an opening for an enterprising individual to step up.

And that man was CM Punk. The moment at the end where he finally puts on the armband was great.

Tribue to Macho Man

This isn't necessarily a career highlight; just a cool moment

Shooting from the Hip

No one knew that when they tuned into Raw two days ago that they would be witnessing one of the most groundbreaking moments in years.

Punk delivered one of the most talked about promos in history, naming names and taking no prisoners.

Many feel this is the end of Punk in WWE, while the other half feel this is only the beginning of something better. Whatever the case may be, I doubt he will walk out Sunday with the title.

This has got to be my favorite moment of the new millenium so far.

A Treat for Those Who Made It to the End

Thanks for reading, and please watch this incredible lost gem of a moment.

Kane is underrated, BUT PUNK IS GOD RIGHT NOW.