Fifteen years after one of the most acclaimed matches of his career, John Cena says the reason he and CM Punk are still talking about it comes down to one thing they share: passion.
Speaking with Justin Barrasso, Cena reflected on his Money in the Bank 2011 match with Punk, a bout that turned 15 on July 17 and remains a highlight on both men’s reels. Cena, in on the joke, noted how the match was received.
“That might have been like one of two matches that wrestling critics were like, ‘Eh, he’s OK, but it wasn’t because of him, it was because of the other guy,'” Cena said.
For Cena, that longevity is the whole point, and it says something about the people who last.
“I think what that shows is when you have two names that span such a long test of time, it shows the individuals’ passion for what they do,” Cena said. “If you’re not passionate about being in wrestling, you are weeded out quick. You might get a push to the top, you might get a chance, you might get a championship. If you’re not passionate, a 10-year career, a 15-year career, a 20-year career doesn’t happen.”
He pointed to where Punk sits now, using his real name, as proof the passion never left, while noting his own view of the time Punk spent away.
“The fact we can talk about wrestling 15 years ago, and he’s got the championship and he’s main-eventing Madison Square Garden right now, regardless of the trajectory that Phil Brooks has been on, I wish he never took a break but that’s his personal journey and choice, his passion has obviously always been there, and it still is,” Cena said. “And that’s the thing I admire most about him.”
Punk beat Cena for the WWE Championship at Money in the Bank in his hometown of Chicago in 2011, a match built around his expiring contract and threat to leave with the title. He is now the Undisputed WWE Champion, having beaten Sami Zayn on the July 6 Raw, and he teamed with Cody Rhodes against Gunther and Sami Zayn in the main event of Saturday Night’s Main Event at Madison Square Garden, ahead of defending the title against Rhodes at SummerSlam.
Cena is in the final stretch of his in-ring career, with his retirement tour set to close out by the end of the year.
