Night 1 of WWE SummerSlam delivered an unexpected and breathtaking climax to the highly anticipated WWE World Heavyweight Championship bout, culminating in a title change that nobody saw coming. Fans eagerly tuned in expecting a grueling battle between the formidable Gunther and the returning icon CM Punk, but what unfolded was a rollercoaster of emotions, high-impact maneuvers, and a shocking twist that solidified its place in wrestling history.
From the opening bell, CM Punk, known for his cunning strategies, aimed to dismantle Gunther. He immediately seized momentum, applying his ever-deadly sleeper hold in the initial minutes, showcasing his tactical prowess. However, the dominant Gunther quickly countered with a brutal chop to the chest, a signature move that momentarily halted Punk’s advance, yet Punk’s resilience shone through as he managed to avoid losing his strategic upper hand.
The match escalated quickly as Gunther capitalised on an opening, catching Punk ascending the ropes. This tactical error by Punk allowed Gunther to unleash a barrage of powerful chops to the leg and chest, effectively grounding the challenger. Gunther’s relentless assault showcased his control, systematically wearing down Punk despite the latter’s valiant attempts to fight back with strikes, only for Gunther to regain dominance with another monstrous chop.
The contest transformed into a relentless exchange of punishing blows, with Gunther focusing his attack on Punk’s neck and back. Despite being visibly worn down, Punk showcased his legendary tenacity, reversing a move into a rollup pin, though Gunther narrowly escaped. A brutal boot to the face followed, and both competitors traded fierce chops, with Punk ultimately getting the worse of the exchange, adding to the growing intensity of the WWE World Heavyweight championship encounter.
As the match spilled to the outside, the taunts intensified, fueling the animosity between the two wrestling titans. Gunther, celebrating on the announce table, fell victim to Punk’s quick thinking, crashing into the table and chairs. This brutal impact left Gunther busted open and bleeding profusely from his nose, creating a visceral scene that heightened the drama and signaled a desperate phase of the SummerSlam main event.
Back in the ring, Punk relentlessly targeted Gunther’s injury, executing a running knee and a high-flying elbow drop. Signaling for his finisher, the GTS, Punk found himself caught in Gunther’s sleeper hold. After a desperate struggle, Punk managed to execute two consecutive GTSs, finally bringing Gunther down for the pinfall victory. Emotional, CM Punk clutched his newly won championship, a moment of triumph seemingly achieved against all odds.
However, the celebration was agonizingly short-lived. The arena erupted as Seth Rollins’ music hit. Rollins, initially appearing injured and hobbled by crutches alongside Paul Heyman, then shocked everyone by discarding his props, revealing his deception. In a ruthless display, Rollins attacked Punk with his Money in the Bank briefcase, made the cash-in official, and delivered a devastating curb stomp, securing the World Heavyweight Championship and ending CM Punk’s reign in a mere five minutes, leaving the wrestling world stunned by the surprise ending to SummerSlam.
