The heated showdown between CM Punk and John Cena is set for WWE Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia, with the Undisputed WWE Championship on the line. As tensions rise, the potential for interference in the high-stakes match has sparked intense speculation about which WWE stars could dramatically alter the outcome.
The Escalating Tension Between Punk and Cena
In the days leading up to their anticipated clash, the rivalry between CM Punk and John Cena took a personal turn. Cena recently made light of Punk’s famous pipe bomb speech, prompting Punk to retaliate on SmackDown by referencing Cena’s old rapper persona, deepening the animosity between the two.
The match, slated for tomorrow night at Night of Champions, has drawn attention not just for the storied participants, but for the possibility that outside interference could change the championship landscape in unexpected ways.
The Miz’s Motivation for Interference
During the Night of Champions Kickoff Show, CM Punk issued a public apology for a controversial Twitter comment he made six years ago about The Miz accepting pay to perform in Saudi Arabia. Punk’s remark previously targeted The Miz for taking what he termed “blood money,” but he expressed remorse for his words ahead of the event.
Given their complex history, The Miz now has motivation to seek revenge against Punk. The A-Lister could interject himself into the match, obscuring Punk’s chance at victory and giving Cena an advantage to retain his title.
R-Truth Seeking Retribution
R-Truth—after recently learning his WWE contract would not be renewed—made a surprise appearance as Ron Killings at Money in the Bank, disrupting the Tag Team Match involving John Cena and Logan Paul against Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso. On SmackDown, Killings publicly called out Cena, but was swiftly met with a Black Mass from Aleister Black instead.
Despite this confrontation, Killings appears to have unfinished business with Cena. It remains possible that Killings will again intercede at Night of Champions, possibly targeting Cena and directly impacting the outcome of the title match.
Could Drew McIntyre Return and Reignite His Rivalry With Punk?
Last year, Drew McIntyre’s fierce rivalry with CM Punk culminated at WWE Bad Blood 2024, where Punk emerged victorious in a heated Hell in a Cell match in Atlanta, Georgia, securing the series win by two matches to one against The Scottish Warrior.
After a recent absence following his defeat to Damian Priest in a Steel Cage Match at Saturday Night’s Main Event, McIntyre’s return remains a possibility. Should McIntyre interfere during the title match, he could potentially cost Punk the championship and reignite their bitterly contested feud.
Seth Rollins’ Money in the Bank Threat
Seth Rollins, a noted adversary of CM Punk, has called him a “cancer” in the past. As the Men’s Money in the Bank winner, Rollins is entitled to cash in his contract for a championship opportunity at any time within the next year. The Visionary’s growing impatience may spur him to seize the moment at Night of Champions, possibly attempting a cash-in during the Cena vs. Punk match for a chance to claim the Undisputed WWE Championship.
Rollins has recent momentum, having bested both CM Punk and Roman Reigns at the main event of WrestleMania 41, with Paul Heyman’s double betrayal serving as a major turning point.
Roman Reigns’ Absence and Potential Return
Roman Reigns, referred to as The Tribal Chief, has not appeared since his defeat on RAW after WrestleMania, where Bron Breakker and Seth Rollins delivered a decisive attack. With The Tribal Chief out of action, speculation swirls around a dramatic comeback at Night of Champions—particularly if Rollins chooses that moment to cash in his Money in the Bank contract.
A confrontation between Reigns and Rollins could derail The Architect’s ambitions, leading to a high-profile showdown between the two at SummerSlam in August. The possible return of Reigns injects even more unpredictability into an already combustible title matchup.
The Unpredictability Surrounding the Title Match
With the stage set for CM Punk vs John Cena Night of Champions, the stakes have never been higher, and the involvement of WWE stars like The Miz, R-Truth, Drew McIntyre, Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns could radically shift the trajectory of the Undisputed WWE Championship. Fans and competitors alike are bracing for a dramatic night where alliances, rivalries, and old grudges could all come into play, leaving the outcome completely unpredictable and shaping future storylines across the WWE landscape.
