but that's the very same idea that fuels Cena himself. Punk was tired with WWE overlooking him, not using him, and punched a crater into a wall. leaving with the belt proves his point and gets to make Vince look like an idiot - win/win. so he proved his point, made Vince look like such an idiot that he got fired, and proved he's the best. likewise though, he also killed the notion that Cena was when nothing worked. that was Cena's best, and he lost. to Cena himself, that notion's gone. a loss is what he needs to cement that come next week.
but Cena broke off from defending WWE when he stopped the screwjob. and Cena is still the symbol of the WWE, but Punk doesn't feel that's right either, as the symbol should be their best wrestler. he likes Cena, but he wants to dispel the idea that Cena's the best. but to the man himself, that's personal. if you're on top for years, win championships like water flows, then get told and proven that you're not the best... what does that do to you, who has established that image already? it's personal when you yourself are the target. and considering what Punk feels the symbol ought to be, it's also forcing Cena out the spotlight he's been in. no doubt he's attached to it. even if it's in another company, it's the spotlight he wants. proved it with taking the WM main event.
after all, the best way to remove the illusion that someone is the best is to simply beat them even when they throw the kitchen sink at you. it just transitions into Cena naturally and there's not much that can be done to alter that pathway - it was always gonna come back to him. the difference is the damage: t's not a personal attack on Cena himself unless Cena himself believes it too and has a problem with that being removed (e.g., punches you in the face for suggesting it).
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The future must protect the clone's past.
"Maybe it's a tentacle, molesting the planet itself. - Aschen Brodel.