MOTW 147: CM Punk vs Sami Zayn

"M.O.T.W. #147: C.M. Punk vs. Sami Zayn" - ink & digital illustration

Today brings us to the 147th edition of our Chris Things Art 'Match of the Week' illustration series! And this week we have yet another surprisingly current one (when will it stop?!) a WWE "Undisputed" Championship bout from earlier this month; the main event of the July 6th Raw tv program at the Allstate Arena, just outside of beautiful Chicago in Rosemont, IL.

So I finally got around to this one - in addition to a few other bits & pieces of the up north territory from the last little while. And my gosh, I enjoyed this oh so much! This was just everything one could ask for from a TV world title bout. I thought the unique set up & build throughout the show was very well done. The fact that the Chicago fans were already chanting for Punk at the very beginning & just got louder & louder until he finally appeared at that roller door as the big mystery replacement for Cody, to the biggest possible reaction was just so great!

I felt the match itself built really well throughout. I'm obviously a long time fan of Punk's but also a fan of Sami's - ever since a vaguely similar wrestler by the name of #ElGenerico was my indie folk hero. So the actual back & forth of this whole thing was just thoroughly enjoyable. And of course those crazy passionate Chi-town fans really brought it up even more.

But it was the finishing stretch that really got it done for me. As Sami's cockiness took over & Punk (complete with bleeding lip) was seething up to the big comeback, that electricity was in the air. His fiery comeback punches really reminded me of Rowdy Roddy at his absolute best! From having watched & enjoyed Punk for a long time, I really do think this aging gunslinger period of his career may actually be the high point of it all.

I loved the ending. I loved the questions of what's next & where does Sami go from here with his very '97 Bret-like justified spurned heel vibes. This whole thing rocked! More of this #ProWrestling for the up north territory please!

Highly recommended!!

ENJOY!!

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