The anticipation for the CM Punk vs Gunther match at SummerSlam 2025, featuring the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, has been significantly undermined by a controversial booking decision made by Paul “Triple H” Levesque. This choice has reignited fan backlash by recalling Gunther’s previous defeat at WrestleMania 41, casting doubt on the enthusiasm surrounding the high-profile encounter scheduled for the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Impact of Triple H’s Creative Choice on SummerSlam’s Main Event Hype
CM Punk earned his shot at Gunther’s World Heavyweight Championship by winning a grueling gauntlet match, fueling excitement among WWE fans eager to see these two top-tier wrestlers face off. During a segment at Monday Night RAW held at the Toyota Center in Houston, Punk expressed his readiness for the challenge, admitting he could not promise victory but would give his utmost effort in the ring. The crowd responded with strong support, cheering loudly for Punk’s declaration as the “Best in the World.”
Gunther made his appearance to confront Punk, but the WWE Universe reacted negatively, filling the arena with chants of “You tapped out.” Fans reminded the champion of the moment when Jey Uso forced him to submit at WrestleMania 41, a highly embarrassing moment for Gunther. Critics pointed to this occasion as damaging the dignity of Gunther’s reign and highlighted how his 51-day title run ended abruptly on a Monday Night RAW show, which surprised and disappointed many.
Wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer from Wrestling Observer shared insight into the reasoning behind this booking through Cage Side Seats, revealing that Triple H decided Gunther’s title win over Jey Uso on the June 9 RAW in Phoenix was staged to set up Gunther’s upcoming title defense against Bill Goldberg. This event, taking place on July 12 during Saturday Night’s Main Event, coincided with the All In event in Texas and was positioned as a major televised match on NBC outside of Netflix’s platform.
Gunther beat Jey Uso to win the World title on the 6/9 Raw show in Phoenix. It was confirmed to us the reason this happened is because Paul Levesque made the call to make Gunther vs. Bill Goldberg on 7/12’s Saturday Night’s Main Event a title match, likely since it was going on the same day as All In Texas.
—Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Observer
This strategy made Gunther vs. Goldberg a retirement match and sought to maximize exposure on free network television during a significant wrestling weekend. The decision faced criticism from WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi, who accused the organization of unfair treatment toward his son, Jey Uso. Meanwhile, former WWE executive Tommy Carlucci offered a possible explanation, suggesting the company favored Gunther holding the championship because he carries the title well, despite a repetitive storyline involving Jey Uso chasing after the belt.
You know what? I think I’d like to see Jey chase him again. I mean, it’s another storyline that they rehashed over and over. But I think Gunther really carries the belt really well, and I think that’s why they made that change.
—Tommy Carlucci, Former WWE Executive
Despite the prestige Gunther brings to the championship, the manner of the loss at WrestleMania 41 remains a stain on his character’s strength and credibility. During the face-to-face segment on RAW, Gunther taunted Punk repeatedly, yet Punk responded with silence and a cold glare, signaling tension but minimal storyline development. This segment heightened concerns about the direction in which Triple H is steering WWE narratives, particularly with the buildup to SummerSlam.
The Confirmed Lineup for SummerSlam 2025 at MetLife Stadium
WWE has taken an ambitious approach with SummerSlam 2025, planning a two-night premium live event reminiscent of WrestleMania’s scale. Scheduled for August 2 and 3, the event at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, promises to be one of the largest wrestling showcases of the year. As of now, eight matches have been officially announced, all featuring some of the company’s most prominent athletes and rivalries.
The card has generated notable excitement from the WWE Universe, with fans eager to see who will emerge victorious across these high-stakes contests. The potential for additional matches remains, which could further elevate the event’s status and amplify the intensity of the competition. WWE will broadcast SummerSlam live in the United States at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT on Peacock, while international viewers will access the event through Netflix.
These plans underscore WWE’s continued effort to deliver blockbuster shows while navigating internal creative challenges, with Triple H’s booking decisions playing a pivotal role in shaping fan perception as the company heads into one of its flagship events.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did CM Punk apologize?
A. CM Punk said sorry to fans in Saudi Arabia for a tweet that caused controversy before WWE Night of Champions. When Punk appeared on the kickoff show, the crowd booed him. A fan called out to Punk, and he took a moment to reply. During this time, he also talked about his earlier comment about The Miz.
Q. Does CM Punk support LGBTQ?
A. Punk has consistently backed trans rights both in and out of the wrestling ring. During a short time with AEW in 2023, he showed support for LGBTQ+ individuals. Known as the “Voice of the Voiceless,” Punk used his platform to speak up for these communities.
Q. Was CM Punk actually hurt?
A. Even though Punk looked injured, his fall was planned. In contrast, McIntyre suffered an actual wound needing 16 stitches. The intense action thrilled fans, making them excited to find out what happens next with both wrestlers.
Q. Why doesn’t CM Punk talk to his brother?
A. CM Punk’s brother, Mike Broox, discussed taking money from Lunatic Wrestling Federation. This caused their relationship to end more than two decades ago.
