The July 6 episode of WWE RAW was a fun episode, and it also included a big match for Sami Zayn, but it was an even bigger night for CM Punk. Zayn was the Undisputed WWE Champion, but it was anyone’s guess how it would turn out in the Second City.
Sami Zayn shocked the world when he won the title at Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia. It didn’t take long for Cody Rhodes to get a rematch for his championship, and it all came down to RAW this week.
Fans in Chicago packed the building for this match. Sadly for fans of the American Nightmare, the show kicked off with GUNTHER destroying Cody Rhodes in a backstage assault that included a powerbomb through a table on the concrete floor.
Cody was taken to a local medical facility, but he failed his tests. He really wanted to compete in tonight’s show, but that didn’t happen. Instead, Adam Pearce declared that Sami Zayn would defend his championship in Chicago, but he didn’t reveal his opponent.
Later on in the show, Nick Aldis, who is still on administrative leave, told Adam Pearce that he has secured an opponent for Sami Zayn. Fans started chanting for CM Punk in a big way after that because the writing was on the wall.
When the time came for the main event, fans were more than ready to see it all go down. CM Punk made his way to the ring as Chicago sang their hearts out and chanted his name. Sami looked shocked, but he soon got in Punk’s face before the match could even start.
This match started out hot as Sami Zayn and CM Punk went at each other. They stretched the match through a commercial break, and CM Punk had a chance to show off some of his vintage offense. Then they cut to a second commercial break after a devastating superplex spot.
CM Punk had fans in the palm of his hand, and he fed off his hometown support throughout the match. After playing to the crowd a bit too much, Sami Zayn was able to nail a Blue Thunder Bomb for a near fall, but CM Punk blocked an exploder suplex in the corner to hit a bulldog and an elbow off the top rope for a near fall of his own.
An Anaconda Vice was CM Punk’s next choice in the middle of the ring, but Sami Zayn grapevined his legs around Punk’s face to force a break. Sami avoided a GTS and hit a roll-up pin for a two count. Fans chanted for CM Punk as the two kept going, trading shots on their knees.
Sami Zayn hit a GTS next, The Second City Saint’s own finisher, but Punk kicked out. Suddenly, Sami ran in for a Helluva Kick, but CM Punk caught him and nailed an exploder suplex. Sami Zayn caught Punk next in another GTS and another Blue Thunder Bomb for a two count.
This match resulted in Sami Zayn slapping Punk across the face time and time again as he said: “I’m the champion now.” This upset Punk and he sent Zayn into the corner for a running knee, Sami missed a Helluva Kick, but Punk nailed one and he followed that with a GTS for the pinfall.
CM Punk celebrated his win as new Undisputed WWE Champion in Chicago. This was a massive moment and now the Summer of Punk II can begin.
Sami Zayn put up an incredible fight as he faced CM Punk with zero notice. He had a 9-day run as champion, and CM Punk looked at the camera to deliver a message to AJ Lee as he made his way to the back: “I’ll be home in twenty minutes, babe.” Only time will tell how this story turns out, but odds are Cody Rhodes versus CM Punk is going to be our SummerSlam match in one way or another.
What’s your take on Sami Zayn as Undisputed WWE Champion? Do you think it is a great choice? Let us know what you think in the comments section.
