Seth Rollins Cashes In On CM Punk And Wins World Title At WWE SummerSlam 2025

Forbes

4 days ago

Seht Rollins Cashed in on CM Punk at WWE SummerSlam 2025. After Punk's first world title win in 14 years over Gunther, Rollins shed his crutches and destroyed punk for the win.
CM Punk valiantly defeated Gunther at WWE SummerSlam 2025. Gunther dominated Punk throughout the match, but he constantly became overconfident, opening the door for multiple CM Punk flurries. Toward the end of the match, Punk bloodied Gunther as he was celebrating on top of an announce table. Punk battled back and hit two GTS' for the win. It was a fantastic match that was part-Hulk Hogan match, part UFC simulation.
CM Punk was challenging for his second world title in just over a month after coming up short against John Cena at WWE Night of Champions 2025.
Punk's match against Gunther was overshadowed by the looming possibility of Seth Rollins cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase. The Internet Wrestling Community is filled with conspiracy theorists who hate being worked. After being worked when Seth Rollins' injury shortened his match against LA Knight at Saturday Night's Main Event, conflicting reports began trickling in that Rollins' knee injury may have been over exaggerated for dramatic effect.
Seth Rollins Cashes In On CM Punk
Fans chanted 'CM Punk' before his theme music played and popped huge when he walked out. Punk wore a timely Fantastic Four-colored gear, likely in homage to The Thing. Michael Cole noted it's been nearly 14 years since CM Punk captured a WWE World Championship.
Gunther was the clear heel in this match as he was booed on his way to the ring and during Alicia Taylor's ring introduction.
Michael Cole noted Gunther has four losses in the past five years.
Punk blocked a Gunther chop early as the two felt each other out. There was a slow pace to begin this match. Gunther missed a stomp on Punk as the announcers covered for him by saying Punk has him all out of sorts. Gunther finally landed his first chop as Punk took a bump.
Gunther finally took control of the match with a chop to the hamstring, back and the rest of Punk's body as CM Punk hung upside down.
Gunther basked in loud boos as he worked over CM Punk with more brutal chops. You could see the sweat flying off of Punk's chest.
Gunther hooked CM Punk in an abdominal stretch, but Punk reversed it into a GTS attempt. Gunther slipped out and answered with a kick to Punk's face. The announcers marveled at Gunther breaking down Punk limb from limb.
Gunther continued to chop the hell out of Punk. Punk, trapped between the ropes, almost fell to the outside. But Gunther kept him in the ring and chopped him some more. Michael Cole talked up Gunther's cerebral nature as Wade Barrett chimed in about the evolution of the modern-day wrestler.
Gunther trash-talked Punk as he locked him into a choke. 'You're never gonna be the best in the world!'
Punk countered Gunther and caught him in a Sharpshooter before Gunther made it to the ropes.
After a flurry by CM Punk, Gunther shut it down yet again as he received more heat. Gunther arrogantly kicked Punk around, but this only fired up Phil Brooks.
Chop. Chop. Punk battled back with a forearm as the two went back and forth.
Punk, who bled from his chest, ran into another chop before answering with a heel kick and a swinging neckbreaker. Gunther's arrogance once again backfired, but he caught Punk's high knee and slammed the hell out of him with a power bomb.
Punk trapped Gunther in a Triangle Choke. The two rose to their feet, and Punk hit a side Russian Leg Sweep.
Punk barely kicked out of a Gunther Frog Splash for a nearfall. Gunther went back to trash talking. The Ring General followed up with a lariat. With a glimmer of hope, Punk was able to hoist Gunther in the air for a GTS attempt, but Gunther escaped again and hit a power bomb. Gunther hit a running drop kick and a third power bomb for a nearfall.
Gunther chopped CM Punk while he was on the top rope. Then the Ring General mercilessly stretched Punk. Gunther poured it on by throwing Punk into the ring post. After another premature celebration, Punk pulled Gunthers legs out from under him as Gunther bumped on the announce table.
Gunther was busted open after hitting the announce table face first.
CM Punk literally smelled blood and furiously battled back against Gunther. After a third GTS attempt, Gunther countered into a sleeper hold. 'Gunther can't see a thing right now, he has to end it here,' said Wade Barrett.
Punk finally connected with a GTS as Gunther was out on his feet. Punk hit a second GTS and Gunther finally fell. Punk pinned Gunther for the win.
Seth Rollins' music hit as MetLife Stadium exploded. Rollins walked out on crutches and vowed to cash in one day. That day came today as Punk shed his crutches to an even louder pop.