Batista vs CM Punk Great American Bash 2008

With all the furor over CM Punk winning the WWE Championship Sunday I have been watching his old matches. I watch a match with Danielson from from IWA Mid South and the first Joe/Punk match. I didn't hate those matches. They were entertaining but enough of it bugged me I really don't want to revisit them.

I watched his match with Batista at the 2008 GAB. I thought it would be interesting to compare since it is almost three years apart. Punk just win his first World Heavyweight Title. He cashed in on Edge and there was a lot of interest in his first defense against Batista.

At the time they were in a big rut with Batista. It felt like every month he was the number one contender. But each time he would lose somehow. So he felt like a Lex Luger esque choke artist. Someone who could not win the big one or won the big one then quickly lost it. More a problem with monthly PPV and lazy writing.

Here he has his chance with CM Punk. The match has a good story going in. With Punk being thought of as a fluke. That he snuck in and ambushed Edge after Batista beat him down. So there is a real question of whether he can beat Batista.

The match starts with Punk taking the fight to Batista. Hitting him with kicks and taking Batista by surprise. As the match continues Batista takes control with one big power move. But each time Punk regains control whether it be with well timed kicks or suicide dives. Batista gives Punk a lot and it never looks out of place.

Near the end Punk dives off the apron and Batista catches him with the best forward Spinebuster he has ever hit. The question is now "Can Punk survive?" But before we can find out, Kane attacks both of them resulting in a no contest.

Which is frustration. Since the big question is left unanswered. It did not lead to

A: Kane vs Batista

B: Kane vs CM Punk

C: Kane vs CM Punk vs Batista.

D: CM Punk vs Batista rematch.

It was done as a way not to answer the question. But if you stop watching wrestling promotions that have bullshit finishes your viewing options dry up fast. You can only hope the ride is good and in this case the ride was very good.