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With the influx of new members of Cageside Seats following Wrestlemania, I think it's about time we get to know each other a little bit. So through the month of April, we're going to do the Cageside Seats 30 Day Challenge.
Here are the rules: I'll ask you a different question every day, and you answer it. It's that simple. There are no right or wrong answers (after all, we're talking about your favorites and such). Just think of this as one of those introductory mixer things. Or whatever welcome party thing this is.
Day 11: What is your favorite match ever?
Honestly, if you ask this question a week from now or a month from now or a year from now, my answer would probably change. But today, my favorite comes from Money in the Bank 2011 where CM Punk defeated John Cena for the WWE Championship, then bailed. The best matches in pro wrestling history should be able to tell a story so coherent, yet so simple, someone who has never seen a bout before or know anything about the people involved should be able to get into the story.
In this case, the story here is John Cena, the representative of the status quo in professional wrestling (and perhaps everything wrong with it) in the last few years, went up against a rebellious, snarky, and most of all, credible challenger in CM Punk. In the minds of many, Punk was just as good as Cena was--maybe better. But in Vince McMahon's world, it is he who is given the opportunity that gets it, no matter how hard you work for it. CM Punk grabbed that opportunity, but it took him having one foot out the door to get it. It's important to understand that Punk really was on the verge of leaving: his contract with WWE expired the night of the show, and if he was going out, he was going out swinging. What the two put together combined with an electric and hostile atmosphere would be called the best WWE match in years.
And it was done by (a) a guy who just wanted a chance to prove he was a main event talent and (b) a guy many said he couldn't wrestle to save his life. Blind squirrels, nuts, that sort of thing.
Your turn. Tell us about your favorite match ever.
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Missed previous installments of this series? Check them out here.