WWE's Greatest Mark-out Moments of 2011

To the older demographic of the WWE, today's product isn't what we would call exciting. 

John Cena always seems to win, Randy Orton always seems to win and the younger audience of the company always seems to win.

However, the audience over the age of 18 has an almighty power over those little kiddies. We can do something those seven-year-old Cena fans cannot do.

What is that power, you ask? What is "The Powers That Be?" (Oh no, a Vince Russo reference!)

Well, if I haven't lost you after that Russo dig, we have the power to mark-out.

So here are the top 10 mark-out moments of 2011.

10. Booker T at the Royal Rumble

Few are better than it and none are anything like it. So when Booker T's music hit, an instant mark-out moment was created.

As we all know, the Royal Rumble is always subject for its fair share of surprises. And Booker was the best of the 2011 edition of the traditional match.

We got to hear the "Rap Sheet" theme, we had the chance to see a scissors kick and we were all witness to the fabled Spinaroonie.

Now can you dig that? 

9. Triple H Returns, Fires Vince

This wasn't exactly one of your "go crazy" moments. But when Motorhead hit, everyone knew something different was going to happen.

Right as Vince was about to fire John Cena, Triple H hit the ring and delivered a bombshell. The Game announced that Vince was to be relieved of his everyday duties and that Triple H himself would become the company's COO.

Why was this a mark-out moment?

Because we got to see Triple H and Vince in the ring again in what was a well-worked segment. Triple H even referred to Vince as "Dad."

This would be a very rare instance of the company blatantly acknowledging Triple H's relationship with the McMahon family.

8. CM Punk Demands the Return of WWE Ice Cream Bars

While ironing out the details of his new contract, CM Punk presented Vince McMahon with a couple of demands. You would think some of the perks Punk would request would be along the lines of a new jet, a huge salary or even the collector cups he complained about.

But instead of highlighting any of those, Punk demanded the return of WWE Ice Cream Bars. 

And why not?

They're cool, they're delicious and they were every wrestling fan's favorite treat.

7. Rock-Austin at WM 27

We have seen some remarkable matches between The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin, especially at WrestleMania.

The Great One and the Rattlesnake worked amazing shows at 'Manias XV, X-7 and XIX. But little did we know, the two rivals would meet again—this time at WrestleMania XXVII.

If this didn't get you the least bit excited, you shouldn't call yourself a wrestling fan.

6. Christian Wins World Heavyweight Championship

It was a long time coming, but it finally happened—Christian won heavyweight gold in the WWE.

Christian captured the World Heavyweight Title at Extreme Rules after defeating Alberto Del Rio in a ladder match. Plus, we got an added bonus when Edge rolled out in one of Del Rio's rides to help his best friend.

Christian's title reign would end just two days later, but he finally won a major WWE strap after 13 years in the company.  

5. CM Punk Confronts Austin

Seeing the Straight Edge Messiah and the Rattlesnake face-to-face is like seeing Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan going face-to-face. 

Here, Stone Cold Steve Austin and the closest thing to Stone Cold Steve Austin confront each other in this Raw promo.

Austin takes a knock at Punk's straight edge lifestyle and Punk takes a shot at the ever so popular "What?" line.

Hopefully we'll see a match between the two in the very near future.

4. Rock Bottom to John Cena at WM 27

Could anyone think of a better ending to WrestleMania XXVII?

Yes, it was a lackluster show that failed to impress. But wrestling marks all around the world couldn't have been more satisfied with how the event wrapped up. 

After John Cena and The Miz were both counted out, The Rock made his way to the ring and announced that the match would continue under no DQ rules. Shortly after the match restarted, The Rock hit Cena with a Rock Bottom and helped Miz retain the WWE Title. 

What more can you ask for?

The Rock stuck Cena, The Miz won and John Cena lost at WrestleMania!

Let me repeat that...John Cena lost at WrestleMania!

3. CM Punk Wins at MITB

Nobody was really sure what to expect when CM Punk and John Cena locked up on July 17th at the Money in the Bank pay-per-view.

Conventional wisdom suggested that Cena would win and Punk would later return after a long break. But the desired outcome for all marks saw Punk upending Cena for the strap.

And to everyone's surprise, that's what happened. In front of an incredible hometown crowd in Chicago, CM Punk defeated John Cena to win the WWE Championship.

Punk won the title, laid out MITB briefcase holder Alberto Del Rio and escaped through his fellow Chicagoans to end what was the company's best show in 2011. 

2. CM Punk's Shoot

Does this really need an introduction or an explanation? Nope.

So I'll let CM Punk do the talking in what became the promo heard around the world.

1. The Rock Returns

Despite the epicness (I know it's not a word) that was the CM Punk shoot, there should be no doubt that The Great One's return was the greatest mark-out moment of 2011.

It was unexpected, it was exciting and it was dare I say, electrifying. 

And if making his way back into a WWE ring wasn't enough, Rocky even fires off on John Cena.

The Rock's return in 2011 was not only one of the greatest moments this year, but it was perhaps one of the greatest mark-out moments of all time.