Image Courtesy: WWE
CM Punk defeated Jey Uso to win the vacant World Heavyweight Championship in the final match of Saturday Night’s Main Event.
The title was declared vacant after former champion Seth Rollins sustained an injury. Punk had previously earned a title shot by winning a number one contender’s match, while Uso won a battle royal to secure his spot in the championship bout.
Punk, who wore ring gear honoring his late MMA coach Duke Roufus, began the match methodically. An early GTS attempt by Punk caused Uso to roll to the floor and regroup.
Later, Punk successfully connected with a GTS, but the force sent Uso falling through the ropes to the floor. Punk retrieved Uso, poured water on him, and rolled him back into the ring for a two-count.
Uso rallied, countering a GTS attempt with a spear followed by an Uso Splash for a strong near fall. The action then moved outside the ring, where Uso hit a suicide dive and later speared Punk through the barricade into the timekeeper’s area.
Back in the ring, Uso attempted another Uso Splash, but Punk raised his knees. Punk followed up with a GTS, but Uso kicked out.
The match descended into a series of counters. Uso escaped a piledriver attempt and hit Punk with his own GTS finisher for a near fall. Punk recovered and answered with a spear, also for a two-count.
Uso countered another GTS by locking in a sleeper hold. Punk escaped by transitioning into the Anaconda Vice, forcing Uso to grab the ropes to break the hold.
After Uso landed two superkicks, Punk blocked a spear. Punk then hit a GTS, and as Uso staggered off the ropes, Punk hit a second consecutive GTS to win the match. The bout lasted 21 minutes.
CM Punk returned to WWE at Survivor Series: WarGames on November 25, 2023.
He briefly held the World Heavyweight Championship on August 8, 2025, after defeating Gunther at SummerSlam, but lost it moments later when Seth Rollins cashed in his Money in the Bank contract.
