This week in WWE history: Legendary figure returns, most important night of CM Punk's career (July 15-July 21)
Another week has gone by and WWE is completely focused on the upcoming SummerSlam Premium Live Event. At the very least, RAW and SmackDown are working on building up the incredible event.
So far, multiple title matches have been confirmed for the show and it will likely go down in history as one of the biggest SummerSlam shows ever. With that being said, it has taken decades for the sports entertainment juggernaut to reach these heights.
The pro wrestling giant has been around, in some form or the other, for around 70 years and has seen many highs and lows. While most readers wouldn't have been alive for the bulk of the years that the promotion has been in existence, there is a lot to look back on or otherwise enjoy.
This week, Sportskeeda's look back at the promotion's past will tackle some major premium live events from the last decade and a half. This includes a huge return and important moments from Money in the Bank shows.
You can check out four major moments from WWE history down below:
#4. John Cena and CM Punk had a classic at Money in the Bank on July 17th, 2011
The first entry on this week's list is one of the biggest nights and most important matches in CM Punk's career. WWE held the Money in the Bank Pay-Per-View on July 17th, 2011, which aired live from the Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois.
Over 14,000 fans were in attendance for this show, which was headlined by CM Punk vs. John Cena for the WWE Championship. This came after The Straight Edge Superstar revealed his contract expiration with the promotion was coming up in his infamous 'Pipebomb' promo.
The bout lasted for over 33 minutes and both men excelled. It was interference from Vince McMahon and John Laurinaitis that led to the finish. Cena didn't want them to screw CM Punk, so he decked Big Johnny. This allowed Punk to pick up the win. He proceeded to blow a sarcastic kiss at McMahon and left with the world title.
#3. Kane made history at Money in the Bank on July 18th, 2010
The next entry on this list is the inaugural Money in the Bank PPV. While the match debuted in 2005, the first event centered around it aired on July 18th, 2010, live from the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
8,000 WWE fans were in attendance to witness two Money in the Bank Ladder Matches and what would become an overused trope for the promotion. Kane won the first ladder match on the card by defeating Big Show, Christian, Dolph Ziggler, Drew McIntyre, Kofi Kingston, and Matt Hardy. That isn't where Kane's night ended, however.
Rey Mysterio managed to retain the World Heavyweight Championship over Jack Swagger later in the show. Immediately afterward, Kane did the first-ever same-night cash-in and quickly won the world title by pinning the legendary lucha star. Kane made history, but WWE certainly has leaned into this booking choice a few too many times since then.
#2. Nikki A.S.H. won the big one at Money in the Bank on July 18th, 2021
Another Money in the Bank show took place over a decade later. WWE held the Money in the Bank 2021 Premium Live Event on July 18th. It took place live from the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, with over 14,000 fans in attendance.
This was the first PLE to feature a capacity crowd in over a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, the show featured several big matches and even a major surprise via the Women's Money in the Bank Ladder Match.
In a move that shocked fans, the superhero Nikki A.S.H. defeated Alexa Bliss, Asuka, Liv Morgan, Natalya, Tamina, Naomi, and Zelina Vega to earn a future title match. The woman best known as Nikki Cross went on to cash in on Monday and win the RAW Women's Championship.
#1. The Undertaker returned at WWE Battleground on July 19th, 2015
Lastly, the final subject to be covered on this week's list is WWE Battleground. The show took place in front of around 11,000 fans on July 19th, 2015. Battleground aired live from the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
The main event of Battleground was a nine-minute match pitting Brock Lesnar against Seth Rollins. The Visionary put his WWE World Heavyweight Championship on the line and was seemingly about to lose the title when the lights went out.
Upon the lights returning, it was revealed that The Undertaker was back! This was The Deadman's return following his losing 'The Streak' at WrestleMania. He proceeded to lay Lesnar out, which allowed Seth to retain the belt due to a disqualification finish.