In a major shakeup on the July 6 episode of WWE Raw, CM Punk returned to television to capture the Undisputed WWE Championship. The Chicago native secured the title after stepping in as a last-minute replacement for an injured Cody Rhodes.
A Surprise Title Change
The night began with Sami Zayn scheduled to defend his title against Rhodes. However, an attack by GUNTHER left Rhodes unable to compete. After some behind-the-scenes maneuvering by General Manager Nick Aldis, Punk was revealed as the surprise challenger once Zayn had already entered the ring.
Despite Zayn landing significant offense, including multiple Blue Thunder Bombs and Go To Sleeps, Punk ultimately secured the victory following a Helluva Kick and his own version of the Go To Sleep. This win marks the eighth world championship reign for Punk in WWE.
What This Means for the Roster
Zayn’s reign as champion concludes after just nine days, following his victory at Night of Champions. For Punk, this victory serves as his first appearance since WrestleMania 42, where he dropped the World Heavyweight Championship to Roman Reigns.
Given that the Undisputed WWE Championship is traditionally associated with the SmackDown brand, fans can likely expect to see the new champion appearing on Friday nights moving forward. The event also featured a tag team title change, with Austin Theory and Bron Breakker reclaiming the World Tag Team Title.
Source: WrestleTalk
