Seth Rollins made a dramatic comeback at WWE SummerSlam 2025 by cashing in his Money in the Bank contract to claim the World Heavyweight Championship just minutes after CM Punk secured the title earlier in the event. This sudden shift occurred following Punk’s highly anticipated victory over World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER, marking a shocking turn of events on one of WWE’s biggest nights.
CM Punk Earns Title Shot After Gauntlet Match Victory
Building momentum from a gauntlet match win during Saturday Night’s Main Event in July, CM Punk earned his chance to challenge GUNTHER for the World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam. Punk emphasized that this match was unique, as it was
“the first time since his WWE return in November 2023 that he’s competing purely for business rather than because someone has a personal issue with him.”
Punk Returns to WWE Championship Glory Before Swift Defeat
The main event on the first night of SummerSlam saw CM Punk defeat GUNTHER, capturing the World Heavyweight Championship for the first time since losing the WWE Championship to The Rock in early 2013. However, Punk’s triumphant moment was brief, lasting just over five minutes before Seth Rollins cashed in his contract and won the title himself.
Rollins’ Unexpected Return and Cash-In
Upon entering the arena, Seth Rollins appeared on crutches and wearing a knee brace alongside manager Paul Heyman. Abruptly discarding his crutches and brace, Rollins made his way to the ring and officially cashed in his Money in the Bank opportunity. WWE commentator Michael Cole referenced Rollins’ previous successful cash-in at WrestleMania 31 by calling it “the Heist of the Century,” and dubbed this latest moment as “the Ruse of the Century.”
Additional Championship Results From SummerSlam Night One
Elsewhere during night one of SummerSlam, Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair captured the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship, defeating the reigning champions Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez. This title change added to the night’s many memorable moments for WWE fans.
Implications of the Title Exchange and What’s Ahead
The rapid succession of CM Punk winning the World Heavyweight Championship only to lose it minutes later to Seth Rollins underscores WWE’s unpredictable storytelling and keeps viewers on edge. For Punk, this brief reign revives his legacy while setting up potential rivalries with Rollins. Meanwhile, Rollins’ return and victory position him at the center of upcoming WWE narratives, promising new clashes and developments as SummerSlam’s fallout unfolds.
