The Undisputed WWE Championship picture has been heating up in recent months as Sami Zayn defeated Cody Rhodes to win the belt at Night of Champions, and CM Punk ended Sami’s reign 9 days later when he returned on Raw and Chicago and defeated Sami to become the new champion.
It was confirmed a few weeks ago that CM Punk would be defending the Undisputed WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam, and their rivalry has become heated to say the least.
The two stars finally stepped in the ring to settle their differences at SummerSlam on Saturday night and Cody got a special Street Fighter themed entrance. The cameras cut to the backstage area and showed Punk exiting his locker room as he walked through the halls on his way into the stadium the fans chanted “CM Punk!” As Alicia Taylor did the ring introductions Cody got booed and Punk got cheered.
As soon as the match kicked off Punk and Cody exchanged strikes. Punk went for the GTS early on, but Cody got out of it. Cody sent Punk to the outside and connected with a dive through the second rope. He threw Punk into the timekeeper’s area and Punk jumped off the barricade and hit Cody with a clothesline.
Back in the ring Punk started favoring his left knee and Cody started to target it after he noticed Punk appeared to be hurt. Punk tried for the GTS again, but he couldn’t get Cody up.
Rhodes continued to target Punk’s knee and he slowed the champion down significantly. Punk tried for the GTS a third time and Cody got out of it. Cody tried for a Disaster Kick as Punk intercepted with a kick of his own. Punk went to the top rope and Cody hit him. Cody attempted a superplex as Punk knocked him off the top and landed an elbow drop.
CM Punk called for the GTS and Cody hit Punk with elbows to the jaw when Punk lifted him up. Cody got the Cody Cutter for a two count followed by a Disaster Kick and Punk kicked out again.
Cody went to the top rope for a Super Cody Cutter, but Punk still kicked out. The American Nightmare called for Cross Rhodes and grabbed Punk who got out of it. Rhodes tried for a Figure Four and Punk rolled him up for a two.
Punk tried the GTS again, but Cody rolled out of it and applied the Figure Four as Punk screamed. Punk reversed the hold then got to the bottom rope to break it. Cody tried for the hold again and Punk countered with the Anaconda Vice. Rhodes grabbed the bottom rope.
CM Punk once again called for the GTS. He put Cody on his shoulders and Cody grabbed the top rope then tried to hit the Alabama Slam which Punk reversed into the Anaconda Vice. Cody got out and hit a Cross Rhodes for a two count.
Cody started to get fired up. He grabbed Punk and put him on the top rope. Punk fought him off and hit a moonsault. Cody kicked out at two. Punk finally got the GTS on Cody, but he struggled to pin him. Rhodes kicked out at two.
They fought outside as Punk cleared off the announce table. Cody threw Punk into the steps then cleared off the other announce table. Back in the ring Punk hit the GTS again and Cody grabbed the bottom rope.
Punk and Cody went back to the outside and Punk placed Cody on the announce table. He went to the top rope. Punk tried for an elbow drop, but Cody moved out of the way, so he crashed through an empty table.
The American Nightmare threw Punk back in the ring. He went for a top rope Cody Cutter, but Punk moved and Cody accidentally hit the referee. Punk connected with the GTS and Cody bounced off the ropes then fell on Punk’s shoulders again. Punk tried for a second GTS. Cody got out and hit the Cross Rhodes which sent Punk rolling out of the ring.
Randy Orton returned and hit Cody with the RKO outta nowhere then left through the crowd. Punk and the ref got back in the ring and Punk hit Cody with the GTS to retain the title.