CM Punk Déjà Vu Moment WWE SummerSlam 2025

What Happened During the Closing Moments of WWE SummerSlam 2025 Night 1?

CM Punk was appreciating the fans’ support after defeating Gunther to become the new World Heavyweight Champion. His happiness turned to dismay as Seth Rollins’ theme song started playing.

Rollins has been Punk’s arch-nemesis since the latter’s return to the company during the closing moments of Survivor Series WarGames 2023. Seth had been out of action since sustaining a supposed leg injury during a match with LA Knight at Saturday Night’s Main Event in July 2025.

The Architect returned during the closing moments of SummerSlam 2025, discarding his crutches. He then proceeded to the ring and cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase.

CM Punk couldn’t withstand the wrath of the former World Heavyweight Champion after his grueling match with Gunther. Punk succumbed after an attack with the briefcase, followed by a stomp to the mat. This led to the crowning of a new World Heavyweight Champion, Seth Rollins, to close Night 1 of SummerSlam 2025.

The Déjà Vu Moment for CM Punk

CM Punk returned in 2023 and had a storyline with Drew McIntyre. An injury he suffered at Royal Rumble 2024 kept him out of action for WrestleMania XL. Despite this, Punk attacked McIntyre ringside after being provoked following McIntyre’s World Heavyweight Championship win over Seth Rollins at the Show of Shows.

The attack led to a Money in the Bank briefcase cash-in by Damian Priest, which made McIntyre’s run a short one at 5 minutes 46 seconds. Seth Rollins’ cash-in at SummerSlam 2025 made Punk’s championship run the shortest at 5 minutes and 10 seconds.

Seth Rollins and CM Punk Have a Long History

CM Punk’s return at Survivor Series WarGames 2023 baffled Seth Rollins. The two continued their rivalry after Punk’s storyline with Drew McIntyre ended in a Hell in a Cell match at Bad Blood 2024, where Punk emerged victorious.

Rollins and Punk headlined Raw on Netflix’s debut episode, with The Best in the World coming out on top. Rollins avenged his loss during the March 10, 2025, episode of Raw when he defeated Punk in a singles steel cage match.

What’s Next in the Seth Rollins and CM Punk Saga?

CM Punk was betrayed by his former manager and best friend Paul Heyman at WrestleMania 41. Paul now works alongside Seth Rollins, and after what transpired at SummerSlam 2025, it’s clear that the story between the two is far from over.

While Rollins won his latest surprise match against Punk, it’s evident that both will stop at nothing to hurt their nemesis during the upcoming episode of Raw.

Seth Rollins has Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker as his stablemates and henchmen. It will be interesting to see who Punk aligns with in this rivalry. Roman Reigns and Jey Uso faced Bron and Bronson as their opponents at SummerSlam 2025.

The big question is whether Survivor Series WarGames 2024 teammates will come together to take down a common enemy. We will need to wait until Raw to find out.