Punk's Summer of 2011 Reimagined Pt 1

Let's step into our time machine here and go back 13 years to the summer of 2011. The year of the Pipe Bomb. Will C M Punk resign with WWE? If not, what happens if we wins the title at Money in the Bank? I am actually going to start at Money in the bank.

The main event for MITB was reigning WWE Champion John Cena vs challenger C M Punk at the Allstate Arena in Punk's hometown of Chicago. With his contract about to expire and his displeasure with the company at that time, we weren't sure if Punk was staying or going. He promised Vince McMahon he would leave the Allstate Arena with the belt regardless. Going into the match that night, we were still uncertain about Punk's status. The only thing certain was "If Cena Wins We Riot" signs were prominent in the arena.

Punk does win the title and leaves through the crowd with it. Blowing Vince a kiss on his way from ringside. Questions still abound. Did Punk resign? Would the company let him leave with the belt? Storyline and reality blurred. We would know our answer a scant 8 days later on Raw when Punk reappears. I always thought that was just way to quick to bring Punk back. We barely had a chance to miss him. What if they milked this a little longer?

Of course, first and foremost Punk's resigning would need to be a well kept secret. Guarded like the recipes for Col. Sander's Original Fried Chicken, Coca-Cola, and what 23 flavors does Dr. Pepper use? So, only Vince, HHH, Punk, Punk's agent and inner circle, and a trusted person from the legal department know. Yep tis is really fantasy booking here.

I wouldn't change Rey Mysterio winning the WWE Championship on Raw like originally happened. HHH still comes out, ousts Vince from a Board of Director's Vote of no Confidence and not firing Cena as stipulated for the MITB match if Cena loses. What I would change is instead of Cena facing Rey that night, their title match is booked for SummerSlam, which emanated from Los Angeles. It may not be Punk vs Cena, but you can't tell me the California crowd would not come out for Rey and Cena. It's what, a little over a 2 hour drive from Rey's hometown of San Diego. The crowd there to support Rey would be tremendous. Who wins? I would book the MITB winner for Raw Alberto Del Rio to still cash in, however making it a 3 way with Alberto pinning Rey to become Champ after still having Kevin Nash do a run in. Instead of the victim being Punk it's Cena. The reasoning? HHH sent him out there because of professional jealousy.

Cena and HHH had been 8 time WWE champions at this time. HHH had 5 World Heavyweight reigns vs 2 for Cena. HHH knowing that his in ring career is closer to the sunset and Cena is still in his prime, doesn't want Cena coming any closer to his combined WWE Champion and World Heavyweight Champion reigns. Where from here? Thats still to come.