The conversation around a potential CM Punk SummerSlam 2025 match tease has gained traction, following a heated encounter on WWE RAW where tensions ran high between top superstars. Recent insider comments suggest that a championship clash between CM Punk and Gunther could be in the works for next year’s highly anticipated event in New Jersey.
Pivotal Moments on RAW Set the Stage for a SummerSlam Showdown
CM Punk traveled to Saudi Arabia not long ago to face John Cena at Night of Champions for the Undisputed WWE Championship, ultimately falling short in a high-profile contest. While that loss was a setback for Punk, former WWE employee Tommy Carlucci believes the company used the moment to position The Second City Saint for something major at SummerSlam.
This speculation gained momentum during the most recent RAW, where Gunther delivered a passionate promo before his upcoming title match against Goldberg at Saturday Night’s Main Event in Atlanta. The segment quickly escalated when Seth Rollins interrupted, sparking a fierce brawl between Rollins and CM Punk. As the chaos unfolded, The Visionary made his exit, leaving the World Heavyweight Champion to step in and confront Punk, only to be met with a shove by the Chicago native. Observers, including Carlucci, interpreted the physicality as signs of a brewing major storyline.
“What I liked is that he went to Gunther’s face and actually pushed him and knocked him down. So, that could be a future title match. Maybe at SummerSlam, we might see Gunther and CM Punk,”
Carlucci said. —Tommy Carlucci, Former WWE Employee
Wrestling Community Weighs In Following Heated Exchange
The tension in the aftermath of the RAW confrontation has fueled widespread debate among insiders and fans. Tommy Carlucci, speaking on Behind The Turnbuckle Studios’ The Last Word, expressed his interest in the altercation, noting it could signal WWE’s intent to set up a SummerSlam main event featuring The Ring General and Punk. Gunther’s dominance as champion and Punk’s persistent drive both position them as attractive opponents for what is considered the “Biggest Party of the Summer.”
Ryback Breaks Silence to Defend CM Punk Amid Criticism
Outside the ring, the discourse involving Punk has also resurfaced longstanding tensions. Ryback, a former WWE Intercontinental Champion who shared a notoriously uneasy history with Punk over a decade ago during their rivalry in the Stamford-based promotion, weighed in on recent criticisms directed at The Second City Saint. Specifically, Ryback addressed a journalist’s remarks regarding Punk’s public apology for a 2020 tweet and his decision to compete in Saudi Arabia against John Cena.
“I’ve had my issues with Punk, but I don’t see him as a sellout. He returned to do what he loves and to make money—much like you’re doing by writing critical think pieces about others for clicks. WWE is a global business, and working at that level means navigating complex deals, personal beliefs, and public perception. His apology wasn’t about abandoning values—it was about how he expressed them publicly in ways that hurt professional relationships,”
he wrote. —Ryback, Former WWE Intercontinental Champion
As of now, CM Punk has remained silent on social media, refraining from responding on X/Twitter. The ongoing dialogue highlights how Punk’s return and actions continue to elicit strong reactions from peers and critics alike.
Implications for WWE and What’s Ahead
The speculation surrounding a potential CM Punk versus Gunther match at SummerSlam 2025 presents the company with a high-stakes storyline ahead of one of its marquee events. If the teasers and in-ring confrontations lead to an official showdown, it could redefine the hierarchy within WWE’s championship landscape. With insiders from Behind The Turnbuckle Studios discussing the potential match, and the wrestling community closely watching developments on RAW and beyond, anticipation for SummerSlam 2025—and the possibility of seeing two of WWE’s most talked-about figures clash—continues to rise.
