DIGITAL PICTURES ++ SCREEN CAPTURES

Punk’s loss certainly wasn’t due to a lack of effort; in fact, their confrontation in the Windy City resembled a pier six brawl that clearly took its toll on both competitors. Fueled by his hometown fans, the resilient Superstar used everything in his offensive arsenal of vicious kicks and reckless dives in an attempt to subdue the monster. Yet, in the end, The Samoan Bulldozer’s colossal size and leviathan-like strength proved too much for Mr. Money in the Bank to overcome. Like numerous Superstars before him, CM Punk was simply overwhelmed by the 350-pound animal’s raw power.

This defeat may feel especially frustrating for The Straightedge Superstar; besides having faced constant, unprovoked attacks from Umaga over the past month, The Samoan Bulldozer stopped Punk from cashing in his Money in the Bank World Title opportunity on multiple occasions. In laying out a challenge to the aggressive warrior, Punk was hoping to settle the score between the two Superstars once and for all. The fact that he came up short in his attempt to stop the Samoan raises the question if Umaga’s unmotivated assaults will continue until Punk finds a way to stop him.

One thing is for certain: Mr. Money in the Bank will be looking over his shoulder the next time he attempts to cash in his World Title contract.

Thank you to Ximena for donating amazing scans of Punk in WWE Magazine Spanish Edition. She is from Mexico and has kindly donated several magazine scans from her hometown. Click on the thumbnails below to go to the gallery of the different month issue scans.

CM Punk looked to finish what he started last week as it was announced early in the night that Edge would defend his championship against the Straightedge Superstar himself, tonight! After a dive to the outside and a few well placed knees to the face it seemed Punk wouldn’t need his Money in the Bank after all.

However, a match that started in an exchange of blows, ended less than favourably. Unable to defeat Punk, Edge was defenseless and eventually forced from the ring. Sensing he was being out wrestled left a sour taste in the World Champions mouth, the Rated R Superstar saw his only option, he voluntarily walked away and lost via count out. By doing so he retained his title.

After being awarded the victory, CM Punk failed to realize he exposed the target on his back. With his back turned the Samoan Bulldozer, Umaga, attacked Punk for the second week in a row! Edge watched as Umaga laid CM Punk out with a Samoan Spike. But it would be Punk who got the last laugh as it was announced later, Umaga would be facing CM Punk at Judgement Day!

Of course, Mr. Money In The Bank, never one to back down; stayed his ground. Jericho on the other hand announced he was sick of being disrespected and left. Once again the Straightedge Superstar tried to argue but it was Edge this time who agreed.. no one cared. The Rated R Superstar attempted to walk out as well but Punk stopped him, he let Edge know it was a new era; Vickie Guerrero is no longer Smackdown GM. Tonight the two of them would compete against each other. Edge relished the fact it would be non-title. Punk didn’t seem to care, he could cash in whenever he wanted, and tonight he was going to hit the GTS and become the NEW World Champion!

Later that night CM Punk did exactly what he said he’d do. He defeated Edge with the GTS. However, he was unable to make good on his promise. After the match Punk was about to cash in his briefcase, but before the bell was rung, Umaga came in from the crowd and laid out Punk with the Samoan Spike. Umaga then left through the crowd, leaving Edge to pick up the pieces. Edge grabbed the briefcase and was about to hit an unsuspecting Punk with it, but Jeff Hardy ran out, nailed Edge from behind and gave him the Swanton. Hardy stood over Edge as Punk grabbed the briefcase (which he never cashed in) and left.

His previous victories over Kane had clearly lit a fire under The Straightedge Superstar and from the opening bell he attacked The Big Red Monster with the intensity of an uncaged animal, unleashing a barrage of thunderous shots that could be heard throughout the Dunkin Donuts Center. But while Punk used his fortitude and heart to battle The Big Red Monster, he simply couldn’t overcome Kane’s size and strength advantage. In the end, a massive chokeslam sealed Mr. Money in the Bank’s fate — and the win for The Big Red Machine.

To his credit, CM Punk came to Providence with a strategy. The Straightedge Superstar targeted his opponent’s right arm, throwing dangerous kicks at Kane in an attempt to take away the 7-footer’s most effective move — the chokeslam. Yet, Punk used his educated feet one too many times. After suffering through a barrage of kicks, The Big Red Monster finally grabbed Mr. Money in the Bank with both hands and chokeslammed him to the canvas on his way to victory.

John Cena def. WWE Champion Rey Mysterio; CM Punk confronted Cena
The capacity crowd inside the Hampton Coliseum might want to save their ticket stubs. It was a night to remember for the WWE Universe. In an unprecedented second WWE Championship Match of the night, newly-minted WWE Champion Rey Mysterio was forced to defend the title he won less than two hours earlier against one of WWE’s toughest competitors, John Cena.

As the two sportsmen competed, it eventually became clear that The Cenation Commander-in-Chief would overpower Rey’s agile assault and capture his ninth WWE Championship. In the carnival of celebration, however, one competitor emerged to dispute the legitimacy of Cena’s reign.

CM Punk shocked the WWE faithful when, after having departed the company two weeks earlier, he surfaced inside the arena carrying his WWE Title. The audience, as well as millions at home, watched the confrontation, the tension, the body language. Which man would blink first? Which WWE Champion was the rightful heir to WWE’s most coveted object? In the frenzied air of anticipation, however, there would be no determination. The Second City Savior and The Champ merely stood hoisting their respective WWE Titles skyward, as if to declare their proper place in the history books despite the protests of the other.