John Cena is interviewed backstage by Josh Matthews, and talks about beating CM Punk in their main event match. He says he asked for this match tonight to prove that John Cena is "back", and he hopes all his critics are hungry. Cena puts over "hustle, loyalty and respect" and says his time now.
(7) John Cena vs. CM Punk
Winner faces the Rock for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania
Punk wins the first lock-up and takes Cena down to the mat with a side headlock, as Cole and Lawler talk up the rivalry between the two, and how Cena has never been able to beat CM Punk in the last two years. Cena builds up some momentum, but Punk bails from the ring and takes a breather as they cut to a commercial.
When we come back, Punk has Cena locked in a variation of the rear nake choke, but Cena finds his base and powers up his opponent into the air. Punk comes down hard, and gets back up in time to take a running bulldog from John. One flying shoulder tackle connects, but Punk ducks under the second and Cena goes flying to the outside. A suicide dive connects and both guys go crashing into the barricade.
After the final commercial break of the night, Punk and Cena are trading exchanges in the middle of the ring. Cena tries for a shoulder toss, but Punk counters and locks in the Anaconda Vice! Cena somehow escapes and goes for the STF, but Punk makes it to the ropes to force the break. Punk springboards off the top rope, but Cena catches him and locks in the STF! Punk counters and rolls the hold into the Vince once again, but Cena is on his game and rolls it back into the STF. Cena is eventually forced to break the hold as his opponent gets to the ropes.
They both crawl to their feet and exchange rights and lefts, with John Cena getting the better of the trade. Cena tries for the Five Knuckle Shuffle, but Punk kicks him and pops up for the GTS. Cena struggles free off Punk's shoulders and once again goes for the STF, but can't get it locked in. Instead he gets a powerslam, but yet again can't connect with the Five Knuckle Shuffle! Out of nowhere, Cena hits a huge sit-down powerbomb! 1…2…no, a kick out!
They head up to the top turnbuckle and trade blows again, until Cena knocks Punk down and comes off with the top rope leg drop, but is still unable to get a 3-count. Punk gets a huge kick to the side of his opponents head, and nails him with a huge knee to the face in the corner. Punk goes for the bulldog, but Cena lifts him up and hits the Attitude Adjustment! 1…2…Punk kicks out! They brawl to the outside and Punk getse another big kick that knocks Cena out cold. He rolls back into the ring as the ref begins to count, and Cena barely makes it back by the count of 9. CM Punk hits the GTS, but somehow Cena kicks out! Punk goes for another GTS, but Cena catches him and locks in the STF! CM Punk almost taps out, but just barely makes it to the ropes after half a minute of struggling.
Cole and Lawler freak out on commentary as neither man can put the other away. Punk lifts up Cena and comes down with…a piledriver!! Punk just hit a classic piledriver! 1…2…NO! CM Punk goes up to the top rope and tries for the elbow drop, but Cena ducks out of the way. Hurricanrana from Cena! The Attitude Adjustment connects! 1….2….3! John Cena is going to WrestleMania!
