While the idea of CM Punk leaving WWE’s Money in the Bank pay-per-view with the Championship was indeed one of the options discussed since the angle was first created, it was not the only outcome that WWE was seriously considering ahead of Sunday’s show.
Sources report that WWE nearly pulled the trigger on another finish, and evidence can be found without even looking past WWE.com.
Various correspondents note that a WWE.com write-up on the CM Punk vs. John Cena match originally read, “But what of John Cena? In defeat, the former titleholder averts the termination guaranteed by Mr. McMahon since his enemy, Punk, was essentially unsuccessful in abducting the WWE’s Holy Grail. Having endured one of his darkest hours, The Cenation Commander-in-Chief must regain his footing to march along on a journey that may not include the WWE Championship, a WrestleMania XXVIII showdown with The Rock, or WWE at all, assuming The Chairman keeps his word.”
Since nothing happened on Sunday’s pay-per-view broadcast to suggest Punk was “unsuccessful in abducting the WWE’s Holy Grail,” it appears WWE.com based its write-up off an original finish. The wording suggests that the finish still would have had Punk defeat Cena but that he would have lost the title, possibly to Alberto Del Rio, in the post-match angle.
WWE.com quickly changed the write-up, removing the note about Punk failing to leave with the belt.
