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This was supposed to be Sami Zayn defending the undisputed WWE Title against Cody Rhodes on “Monday Night Raw.”
But an attack from Gunther to start the show forced Rhodes off the card as he was bloodied. WWE officials ruled Rhodes out. Zayn thought he was in the clear, but Raw General Manager Adam Pearce made it clear to him that he would still defend the title.
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CM Punk and Sami Zayn compete on Monday Night RAW at Allstate Arena on July 6, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Melina Pizano/WWE via Getty Images)
Fans waited with bated breath to see who would walk into the ring to face Zayn. The crowd hoped, guessed, that it would be CM Punk. Lo and behold, the garage door opened and Punk walked through it.
It’s been months since the professional wrestling world last saw him. He had just lost the World Heavyweight Championship to Roman Reigns and he reminded Rhodes to “stay ready because you never know when a championship opportunity is going to fall out of the sky.” The sky had to fall on Chicago and Punk arrived as the automatic challenger.
Punk took off his shirt and the match began. There were questions about how Punk was going to perform against Zayn after nearly three months off. But he took advantage of the momentum the crowd gave him.
Zayn, however, was showing why he was a champion. Even though he was kicked out of the ring, he regained the advantage in the match with a series of stomps and a double ax handle from the top rope. Both contestants gave it their all in the main event of the show. Zayn hit Punk with a Blue Thunder Bomb, but Punk wouldn’t stay down.
CM Punk celebrates after winning the Undisputed WWE Championship during Monday Night RAW at Allstate Arena on July 6, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Melina Pizano/WWE via Getty Images)
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Punk came back with a bulldog and elbow drop from the top rope. He then tried to take Zayn out with an Anaconda Vice in the middle of the ring. Zayn showed his awareness of the ring and stepped out of it. Zayn rolled Punk up and almost pinned him.
Punk had Zayn on his shoulders for the Go to Sleep. However, Zayn reversed it and hit Punk with a finisher of his own. But Punk just wouldn’t stay down. Punk avoided a Helluva Kick and hit the exploder suplex in the corner, going out of Zayn’s playbook.
Zayn hit a Go to Sleep again and paired it with a Blue Thunder Bomb. However, Punk got away with a pin. “CM Punk” chants broke out after the final kick. An exasperated Zayn told Punk that he was the champion now as he continued to hit him.
Punk, with his lip open, hit Zayn with the Helluva Kick then the Go to Sleep. He pinned Zayn to become the undisputed WWE Champion. Zayn’s reign lasted nine days.
CM Punk attends Monday Night RAW at Allstate Arena on July 6, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Melina Pizano/WWE via Getty Images)
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For now, Punk is expected to enter SummerSlam as champion. His opponent has yet to be determined.
