As this week’s episode of WWE Raw kicked off Sami Zayn drove a convertible into the backstage area and he was greeted by Cody Rhodes. Things got heated as Sami insisted that Cody won’t be walking out of Raw with the Undisputed WWE Championship.
Sami Zayn walked off and Gunther appeared out of nowhere then attacked Cody from behind. He followed up as he powerbombed Cody Rhodes through a table. Sami confronted The Ring General, and Gunther told Sami he should be thanking him. Gunther then he slammed the car door on Cody’s leg as WWE officials checked on The American Nightmare.
During a backstage segment a WWE medical official said that he couldn’t clear Cody for the main event. Shortly after Michael Cole confirmed that Cody had left the building to undergo scans and the status of the title match was up in the air.
Later in the show Jackie Redmond was interviewing Sami Zayn and she told him that she’s been informed Cody Rhodes is no longer able to compete in the Undisputed WWE Championship match tonight. Zayn said he was looking forward to testing himself against Cody, but it wasn’t meant to be. Adam Pearce approached Sami and told him he promised Chicago a championship match, so Sami needs to be prepared because he will be defending the title tonight.
Ahead of the main event Nick Aldis approached Adam Pearce and told him he made a successful phone call, found someone to replace Cody Rhodes in the Undisputed WWE Championship match, and that person is in the building.
As Sami Zayn waited in the ring for his opponent the fans chanted for CM Punk. The cameras cut to the backstage area and showed CM Punk walking into the arena. “Cult of Personality” hit and Punk made his way to the ring to a huge ovation from the Chicago fans.
Before the match kicked off Sami shoved Punk’s face as the referee pulled them apart. After the bell rang the Chicago fans made it clear they were behind Punk as they booed Sami whenever he got the upper hand.
After a few minutes Punk tried for the GTS, but Sami got out of it. He tried to reverse it into the Blue Thunder Bomb only for CM Punk to counter with a clothesline for a two count. Punk went to the top rope and Sami knocked him down to the top turnbuckle before he could jump off then connected with a superlex on the challenger.
Punk caught Sami with a knee in the corner and he went for the bulldog. However, Sami blocked it and connected with the Blue Thunder Bomb. CM Punk caught Sami with the knee again and finally got the bulldog followed by an elbow drop off the top rope. Sami kicked out at two.
The Second City Saint locked in the Anaconda Vice. Sami wrapped his legs around Punk’s head to break the hold. Punk tried for a Sharpshooter but Sami blocked it. Punk tried for the GTS and Sami reversed it into a roll up for a two count.
CM Punk went for the GTS again and Sami reversed it into a GTS of his own. Zayn looked shocked as Punk kicked out. Punk tried to stand up, but fell down in the corner. As Punk got to his feet Sami went for the Helluva Kick, and Punk caught him then hit Sami with the Exploder Suplex.
Punk tried for the Helluva Kick, but Sami countered with another GTS followed by a Blue Thunder Bomb. CM Punk once again kicked out at two. As Punk was struggling to get to his feet Sami slapped him and said, “I’m the champion now!”
Finally Punk fought back with a series of strikes. Sami tried for the Helluva Kick, but Punk moved out of the way then hit Sami with a Helluva Kick followed by the GTS to win the Undisputed WWE Championship.
After the match CM Punk celebrated with the belt as pyro went off then he left through the crowd.