CM Punk Captures Eighth WWE World Title After RAW Return

CM Punk made a surprising return on the July 6 episode of WWE RAW and walked out of Chicago as the new WWE Champion. In front of his hometown fans, Punk answered an open title opportunity and defeated Sami Zayn in the main event to win his eighth recognized WWE world title.

The title match came together after Cody Rhodes, who was originally set to challenge Zayn, was ruled out following a backstage attack by Gunther earlier in the night.

Later in the show, Pearce told Zayn that even though Rhodes could no longer compete, the fans in Chicago had still been promised a championship match. He didn’t reveal the new challenger but confirmed that Zayn would defend the title in the main event.

When the main event arrived, Sami Zayn made his entrance first and waited to find out who his opponent would be.

The crowd exploded when the opponent was revealed to be CM Punk, although they have been chanting his name earlier.

CM Punk overcame Sami Zayn in a back-and-forth WWE title clash

CM Punk came out fired up and took the fight straight to Zayn. He landed hard strikes and shoulder tackles and even brawled with the champion outside the ring. Zayn tried to slow down the pace, hit a diving axe handle, and tried to control Punk with a reverse chinlock.

He also countered several of Punk’s signature moves. Punk tried to go to the top rope, but Zayn countered with a superplex that left both men down for a while. Following that, both traded some punches and chops.

Punk stopped Zayn’s Blue Thunder Driver and kicked him to the corner to hit his rising knee. However, he eventually got hit by Blue Thunder Driver for a nearfall.

Punk again hit Zayn with rising knees, and this time he successfully connected the Bulldog. He then went for a diving elbow drop, but Zayn kicked out. Punk then locked in the Anaconda Vise, but Zayn managed to escape before giving up.

In the final moments, Zayn hit Punk with the Go to Sleep, although he couldn’t pin him. Punk then hit Zayn with a suplex into the corner. As he was charging in, Zayn managed to hit Punk with another GTS and followed it up with a Blue Thunder Driver. But Punk kicked out.

Frustrated, Zayn started slapping Punk. Punk refused to stay down. With blood around his mouth, he fought back, stopped Zayn’s Helluva Kick attempt, and then hit a Helluva Kick of his own. Moments later, Punk lifted Zayn onto his shoulders and delivered a GTS for the three-count.