WWE Money in the Bank 2011 Recap: Top 10 Moments of the Night

Oh, What a night!

We are just hours removed from one of the greatest pay-per-views the WWE has ever showcased. With all the hype surrounding the WWE Championship match between John Cena and CM Punk, the two "Money in the Bank" matches, as well as the fourth encounter between Orton and Christian; the stage was set for the WWE to deliver one of it's greatest shows.

Chicago was alive, and was beating to the beat of their own drum. A fantastic crowd only helped to propel this event even further.

Final Verdict:

It not only delivered, but shocked, surprised, and captivated the wrestling universe for two and a half hours.

The WWE returned to "old form" and was just as unpredictable, wild, feverish, and exciting as the now dead "Attitude Era".

With a night filled with so many memories let's take a look back at the night, and it's top 10 moments.

Disagree or want to re-shuffle the order? That's what the comment section is for.

So without further ado: The Top 10 Moments from WWE Money in the Bank 2011!

10. Big Show Kicks out of the "World's Strongest Slam"

It was a simple match. It was a quick match, but in my opinion it was an entertaining match which served it's purpose. Mark Henry defeated the Big Show... in resounding fashion, but not before Big Show would show his pride.

For the first time ever we saw someone kick out of the "World's Strongest Slam". I cheered, and the look on Mark Henry's face made me laugh shortly after.

"Well he might as well do it again" my friend says. "You know? just like it's a video game."

Sure enough after another "World's Strongest Slam", and a couple of big boy splashes later; Henry picked up the victory.

Side Note: How can you not smile at the picture above? It warms your heart.

9. Evan Bourne Goes Airborne

Well that looked dangerous.

... And freaking awesome!

If Evan Bourne ever decides to run for office (you know he's got the smile for it), he officially has my vote after that stunt.

8. Sheamus Kills Sin Cara

Alright, he didn't actually kill him, but for all intensive purposes, he ended his night after delivering an earth shattering, ladder smashing, "Holy (expletive)" power bomb from the ring apron through a ladder. 

The poor ladder didn't stand a chance.

Sin Cara was folded up, turned inside out, lit up, and any other metaphor you can think of after being wrecked through the ladder.

Sheamus got his due later in the match, becoming a victim of a choke slam onto a ladder by the hands of Kane.

What comes around, goes around...but in my opinion, Sheamus got off easy.

7. The Return of the Miz

Whenever you see the crowd get excited about something that isn't within the camera shot, you know something special is happening, or about to happen.

I would have been completely happy with this being the ending to this match. What a shocker... but wait? there's Rey "the Party Pooper" Mysterio to ruin all the fun. 

This was one of those moments that could be higher on the list if it wasn't for Rey Mysterio. WWE teased a shocking finish, which was good enough for number seven on this list.

I felt like a kid again during this moment, and that's all I ask of the WWE. Well done!

6. Del Rio Captures His Destiny

While it would have been nice, in my opinion, to see one of the mid-carders win this match it was pretty much a lock from the start that Del Rio was going to win. However, that doesn't mean that the WWE didn't book one hell of a "Money in the Bank" match.

Del Rio has now won the Royal Rumble, is/was the #1 contender for the WWE Championship, and has now won a guaranteed title shot whenever he chooses. 

Talk about the rich getting richer.

Side Note: How sick was that car Del Rio rolled into Chicago with? It was Beautiful... But you already know that.

5. Randy Orton Looses His Mind Along with the World Heavyweight Championship

Moment number one of two from this match sees the former World Heavyweight Champion, Randy Orton completely dismembering Christian after getting disqualified during their match last night.

I'd like to think I know a few things about the world, such as: the sky is blue, what goes up must come down, snow is cold, the sun is hot, and 2+2=4. I also know that whenever I see the Spanish Announcement team ringside... someone is going through the table!

Well good for the table! It stood up for itself for once.

After Orton pummeled Christian, he attempted not one, but two vicious RKO's through the table. Each one resulting in Christian bouncing off the table like it was a trampoline. I'm kind of glad the table didn't break it added much more "impact" effect.

P.S. Was this the most personality we've seen from Randy Orton ever? The man looked legit crazy! Him sticking his tongue out was hilarious and truly captured the moment. 

4. Rey Mysterio: Unmasked!

This moment gets a high nod due partly to the crowd reaction. It was great!

Alberto Del Rio, with no regard for Mysterio's proud heritage and culture, ripped the mask of Mysterio off as the two battled for the briefcase.

This, coupled with the fact that both ladders the men were on were at their tipping points, was one of those moments where you had to ask yourself: "was that supposed to happen?"

Del Rio made the moment even better by throwing the mask away and out of reach of Mysterio.

A true "Attitude Era" moment if I must say... 

3. The Kick Heard Around the World

If Randy Orton ever decides to leave professional wrestling he may have a long career as an NFL kicker ahead of him.

Ouch!

...That's really all that needs to be said.

After Christian spit in, and around, the mouth of Orton this was the only logical conclusion that could follow.

Smart? Yes. Dirty? Of course. Hilarious? Absolutely!

Christian deserved it, and I hope the peeps are happy. Well played sir...well played.

2. Daniel Bryan and the Boy Who Could

Really?

Really?

Really?!

Daniel Bryan has just won the Smackdown "Money in the Bank!!". the IWC can now rejoice in all its all knowing glory. If you called this happening your a straight up liar, cause no one saw this coming.

That is why it was a brilliant booking move on the part of the WWE.

Del Rio winning did no justice to what "Money in the Bank" stands for, but the WWE went and completely redeemed itself with this.

I still can't believe it happened.

1. The Last Hour of "Money in the Bank"

The last hour of the event was solely left to the purpose of one match, and one match only: John Cena vs. CM Punk for the WWE Championship.

Let me first say how excited I was to look at the clock and see that we still had an hour left with only this match remaining. Was WWE finally going to properly book a WWE Championship match?

From the Chicago crowd igniting as CM Punk entered the arena to the shower of boos that rained upon Cena, the match had a different feel to it from the very beginning. A feel that has long been gone from the WWE in it's current era. Wrestling (for only a moment) felt real.

If the entrances weren't enough to give you goosebumps, you're either not a wrestling fan or you have no pulse.

The match itself did not disappoint either. A 35-minute epic that included three different acts, numerous near falls, an attempted "screw job part II," John Larinaitus eating a right hand from Cena, John Cena "going to sleep," Del Rio missing the boat, and CM Punk blowing Vince McMahon a kiss goodbye.

If you didn't see this match, it's an absolute must watch. The crowd, the energy flowing with Punk and Cena's every movement, the WRESTLING ability each one showed. Yes, that's right! John Cena displayed what we all thought had been lost.

The ending was perfect. The crowd was perfect. The entire night was perfect.

I say we all take a moment and thank the WWE. They have officially restored my faith. 

How about yours?