CM Punk Picks Surprising Choice for Greatest Match Ever

Former WWE star names 2013 Raw bout with John Cena as his personal best performance.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 11:53am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fractured, geometric painting in the style of Pablo Picasso, depicting the silhouettes of two wrestlers engaged in an intense match, their figures broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and form.A cubist interpretation of the legendary rivalry between CM Punk and John Cena, capturing the raw energy and technical mastery of their greatest matches.Dallas Today

In a recent interview, former WWE Superstar CM Punk reflected on his long and storied career, singling out his 2013 Raw match against John Cena as the best performance of his career. While Punk acknowledged that their iconic 2011 Money in the Bank encounter holds a special place in history, he believes their 2013 showdown in Dallas was a superior pure wrestling match.

Why it matters

CM Punk's rivalry with John Cena was one of the defining storylines of the 2010s in WWE, with their matches often considered among the best of that era. Punk's surprising choice of his 2013 Raw match as his personal best provides insight into how wrestlers themselves view their own body of work, which can differ from fan perceptions.

The details

Punk revealed that while the 2011 Money in the Bank match helped launch him to a new level of stardom, he believes the 2013 Raw match in Dallas was a superior pure wrestling contest. That 2013 match also had high stakes, as the winner would move on to challenge The Rock at WrestleMania.

  • The 2011 Money in the Bank match took place on July 17, 2011.
  • The 2013 Raw match in Dallas occurred on February 25, 2013.
  • Punk and Cena faced off again at Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia in 2022, with Cena emerging victorious.

The players

CM Punk

A former WWE Superstar who is considered one of the greatest in-ring performers of his generation, known for his technical wrestling ability and iconic feuds.

John Cena

A 16-time WWE Champion and one of the most recognizable Superstars in WWE history, who had a legendary rivalry with CM Punk.

The Rock

A former WWE Champion and one of the most popular Superstars of all time, who was set to challenge the winner of the 2013 Raw match between Punk and Cena at WrestleMania.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I think Money In The Bank is more of a moment. I think, just as a pure contest, that match, I think it was Dallas, that match means a whole lot more to me. I think that's the best match I've ever had.”

— CM Punk

What’s next

Fans will likely debate Punk's choice for his greatest match, with the 2011 Money in the Bank clash remaining a fan-favorite. It will be interesting to see if Punk's perspective on his own career-defining performances shifts over time.

The takeaway

CM Punk's surprising choice of his 2013 Raw match against John Cena as his personal best performance provides a unique insight into how wrestlers themselves view their own body of work, which can differ from fan perceptions. This highlights the subjective nature of evaluating in-ring greatness and the importance of considering the performers' own perspectives.