CM Punk earned the right to challenge Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam 2025 by winning the Gauntlet match on WWE RAW. The Best in the World defeated Bron Breakker, Jey Uso, Penta, and LA Knight to claim this opportunity, overcoming several top contenders in a highly competitive match.
The Gauntlet began with The Dog and Penta, followed by Breakker eliminating both as well as The YEET Master and The Megastar. Ultimately, CM Punk outlasted the field and positioned himself as The Ring General’s next challenger for the title.
Gunther Echoes Goldberg’s Warning While Taunting CM Punk
Gunther referenced a recent moment involving Goldberg during WWE RAW. Before Night of Champions, Goldberg appeared to congratulate Gunther on becoming the World Heavyweight Champion by defeating Jey Uso, but also issued a warning by telling Gunther, “You’re next.”
Taking a similar approach, Gunther repeated this phrase directed at CM Punk after Punk’s victory. While Punk signaled confidence in capturing the championship, Gunther observed from the crowd and later shared the moment on social media with a mocking caption.
“CM Punk – you’re next.” —Gunther, WWE World Heavyweight Champion
This chilling message sets an intense tone for their upcoming clash at SummerSlam 2025, though the final outcome remains uncertain. Despite Gunther and Punk being the scheduled competitors, there is speculation that Seth Rollins could intervene and cash in on the title during the event, especially considering ongoing injury concerns.
Additional WWE Updates Surrounding Key Stars
In other WWE news, Kevin Owens has undergone surgery for a serious neck injury, raising questions about his future in the ring. The WWE landscape continues to shift with reports involving major figures like Roman Reigns, who recently reignited tensions with Paul Heyman during Monday Night Raw segments.
Seth Rollins remains a focal point as well, appearing on crutches in new footage that fuels ongoing injury speculation. Roman Reigns returned to RAW to support both Jey Uso and CM Punk, emphasizing alliances forming ahead of SummerSlam.
Meanwhile, Ron Killings addressed rumors concerning the formation of a new WWE faction, and debates persist over the role of celebrities in wrestling, a practice dating back to the 1980s, which some WWE Hall of Famers find “always offensive.”
Implications for SummerSlam and Beyond
The tension between Gunther and CM Punk, amplified by the echo of Goldberg’s trademark warning, adds a psychological edge to their forthcoming World Heavyweight Championship match. With Seth Rollins’ potential surprise involvement, SummerSlam 2025 is shaping up to be a major turning point in WWE’s championship scene. Fans can expect a high-stakes, unpredictable title match that could reshape the top of the card going forward.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did CM Punk apologize?
A. CM Punk said sorry to fans in Saudi Arabia about his controversial tweet before WWE Night of Champions.
When Punk appeared on the kickoff show, fans booed him.
A fan shouted at him, and Punk took that chance to talk about his tweet about The Miz.
Q. Does CM Punk support LGBTQ?
A. Punk openly supports trans rights both in and out of wrestling. In 2023, while briefly at AEW, he stood up for the LGBTQ+ community. Known as the “Voice of the Voiceless,” Punk used his influence to advocate for these causes.
Q. Was CM Punk actually hurt?
A. Though it looked like Punk was injured, his fall was planned. On the other hand, McIntyre really got hurt and needed 16 stitches. The intense match thrilled fans and built anticipation for what would happen next for both wrestlers.
Q. Why doesn’t CM Punk talk to his brother?
A. Mike Broox, CM Punk’s brother, discusses how taking money from Lunatic Wrestling Federation caused their relationship to break over twenty years ago.
