Gunther Set for Nose Surgery After WWE SummerSlam Match with CM Punk

As WWE SummerSlam 2025 kicked off its massive weekend at MetLife Stadium, the spotlight was squarely on the World Heavyweight Championship match between Gunther and CM Punk. But now, there’s a major development that changes how fans may view the outcome of that bout.

According to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, Gunther is scheduled to undergo nose surgery following his brutal main event title defense. Dave Meltzer revealed that the injury angle during the match was completely intentional and meant to write him off TV temporarily. Before the match even went down, Meltzer said he had already been informed that the surgery was coming.

“Obviously Gunther’s — I was told Gunther’s having surgery on his nose. I was told that a couple days ago.”

He added that WWE leaned into the storyline during the finish of the match, making the apparent injury part of the drama to explain his absence.

“It’s very clear from watching the finish that Gunther’s having surgery on his nose pretty quick because they shot the angle where, you know, it’s like he busted his nose. So that busted nose thing, that was 100%, you know, worked blood and planned. I mean, it was totally planned. So, you know, that was the cover for that.”

Gunther’s battle with CM Punk already carried high stakes, with Punk chasing his first WWE world title in over a decade. Adding a legit injury and a potential absence to the mix only raises more questions about how long the champion may be out—and what comes next for the World Heavyweight Title picture.

This news also sheds light on the match’s structure and finish, which saw Gunther selling a broken nose to the point that it became the focal vulnerability of the bout. If this was the end of his reign, it now looks like the decision wasn’t purely about storytelling—it was a strategic call based on real-life circumstances.

Gunther’s nose surgery means time away from WWE, and in a company that moves fast, absence could open the door for new contenders or major shifts in direction.

What are your thoughts on WWE scripting Gunther’s injury to cover for real surgery? Do you think this changes how the match should be viewed in hindsight? Let us know in the comments below.

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