WWE SummerSlam 2011: Exploring the History of the CM Punk vs. John Cena Rivalry

This Sunday, WWE will present one of its biggest SummerSlam events in recent memory, all thanks to CM Punk and John Cena.

Since June, Punk and Cena have battled over the prestigious prize that is the WWE Championship.

They have run into a minor speed bump while crowning two simultaneous WWE Champions in the process.

Before the highly anticipated Money in The Bank rematch can come to fruition, it's important to look back at the history between the two top faces of the company at the moment.

If you think these two didn't cross paths until earlier this summer, think again.

Before CM Punk became what he is today, he was a prop used during John Cena's ridiculous entrance at WrestleMania 22, dressed as a classical gangster and shooting an artificial tommy gun.

While dangling off the authentic car while it rode down the ramp, Punk made a promise to himself that one day, it would be him standing in that ring face to face with the WWE Champion, John Cena.

In what was billed as the "first time ever" confrontation, then-Raw Guest Host Jesse "The Body" Ventura booked WWE Champion John Cena to take on SmackDown's CM Punk later in the evening as part of Raw's three-hour Thanksgiving special in November, 2009.

Although it was the Champ who walked out victorious, the Straightedge Superstar certainly looked strong in defeat.

It was only a mere three weeks later that the two would meet again, this time a part of the three-hour Slammy Awards edition of Monday Night Raw.

Cena would quickly defeat Punk in a matter of minutes following an STF, advancing Cena to the finals of the Superstar of the Year Award tournament.

With this defeat to the Chain Gang Commander, Punk was looking to avenge his quick loss, which was granted by the WWE Universe in June of last year on the People's Choice edition of Raw.

Punk beat out Rey Mysterio and Jack Swagger to earn his rightful match with John Cena, but he wouldn't last long due the debut of the Nexus that fateful night.

Ironically enough, the Nexus would become the same reason Punk and Cena would clash yet again.

Soon after Punk's arrival on the Raw roster and departure from the announcing table, the Second City Savior would make Cena his primary target as the new leader of the vindictive faction.

After weeks of beat-downs and shared words on the mic, CM Punk would finally defeat Cena for the first time in his career via disqualification following the debut of the newest Nexus member, Mason Ryan.

History repeated itself two weeks later in their rematch, where Cena would once again disqualify himself following his attack on Punk using a steel chair.

John Cena would earn his vengeance six days later inside the Elimination Chamber, where Cena last pinned Punk to earn contendership for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 27.

In what was dubbed as a "There Must Be a Winner" match the following night on the flagship broadcast, CM Punk pinned John Cena for the first time ever in his WWE career in their third singles bout—with some help from his fellow Nexus stablemates, no doubt.

Nearly four months later, Punk once again pinned Cena inside the ring during their main event match on the All-Star edition of Raw, following some outside interference from Cena's arch-rival, R-Truth.

Proving he was worthy of an inevitable championship match, Punk would go on to make history in the weeks leading up to last month's Money in The Bank pay-per-view, shooting on the WWE while becoming the company's hottest commodity in the process.

Following his monumental WWE Championship victory in his hometown of Chicago at Money in The Bank, Punk would serve a brief departure from the WWE before returning two weeks ago in the closing minutes of Raw.

Now, with the program featuring two legitimate champions and the title picture filled with controversy, who will emerge victorious from their anticipated rematch at this year's SummerSlam event?

Although it seems as if Creative is starting to head towards the direction of an inevitable CM Punk-Triple H showdown, there is no questioning the picture-perfect booking of the current Punk-Cena rivalry that can be dated back prior to Punk's debut on the main roster in 2006.

Punk has certainly brought back some interest in the stale Cena persona while also bringing back the excitement in the flagship show.

No matter where you stand being a fan of either Superstar, give respect where respect is due in the impressive, hard work both Punk and Cena have been able to display in building one of the greatest rivalries in the PG Era.

Thanks for reading, and make sure to drop a comment with your thoughts and opinions on the long-lasting rivalry between the two.

But hey, I'm not telling you anything you don't already know. GSM out.

Visit my web site at Next Era Wrestling and my WrestleRant video blog for more of GSM's writings, along with WWE/TNA news, recaps and more. Follow me on Twitter @SAVE_US_GSM.