CM Punk World Title defense is now official for next week’s RAW, following his win over Bron Breakker last week. The announcement came during this week’s event in Düsseldorf, Germany, setting the stage for a headline bout against an unexpected challenger.
Unexpected Challenger Emerges After the End of a Rivalry
As CM Punk appeared on RAW in Germany, speculation swirled about his next challenger for the World Heavyweight Championship. The crowd received their answer when Finn Balor confronted Punk in the ring—a moment that seemed to catch even the champion off guard. This confrontation followed a backstage moment in the Clubhouse, where Liv Morgan criticized Finn Balor over his lack of ambition amid other superstars like Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez vying for titles.
The harsh words seemed to motivate Balor, and he notably refused to simply request a title shot. Instead, he referenced previous comments made by CM Punk, who had described Balor as a dream opponent after capturing the World Heavyweight Championship. During their exchange, Punk pointed out Balor’s recent roles, from supporting Dominik Mysterio and JD McDonagh to jokingly suggesting he did chores, but also expressed genuine respect for Balor as a competitor.
Title Match Set for Next Week’s RAW in Belfast
Accepting the challenge, Punk was willing to have the match immediately, but Finn Balor declared that their clash would happen next week in Belfast, Ireland. This decision disappointed the audience in Düsseldorf, but it confirmed that the World Title would be contested in the upcoming episode, marking an official defense on WWE’s European tour.
Wider Implications as WWE’s European Tour Builds Momentum
This high-stakes match is expected to serve as a highlight of WWE’s January European tour, potentially concluding the storyline threads that began in Germany. Fans have already started speculating about surprises, referencing a recent event in Berlin, where Drew McIntyre captured the Undisputed WWE Championship from Cody Rhodes. With top stars like Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez in championship contention and Liv Morgan’s influence fueling confrontations, anticipation is high for another memorable moment.
As both CM Punk and Finn Balor prepare for their showdown in Belfast, WWE looks to deliver another pivotal World Title defense that may have lasting ramifications for the World Heavyweight Championship landscape.
"Some weeks I swear you're just shining Liv Morgan's shoes" 👀@CMPunk is not holding back on @FinnBalor! pic.twitter.com/BG2Somdeee
— WWE (@WWE) January 12, 2026
