CM Punk returns to Raw in Chicago, wins WWE championship

This week’s episode of Monday Night Raw in Chicago was supposed to be headlined by Sami Zayn defending the WWE championship against Cody Rhodes. Then GUNTHER, who had been sent home for a confrontation with SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis but was in town apparently for a meeting with management about said confrontation, attacked Rhodes backstage. He bloodied the former champ and beat him up just enough that Cody was no longer medically cleared to compete. Zayn celebrated, thinking he was getting off scot free, and surely dreaming up new social media posts with his precious title. Instead, Raw General Manager Adam Pearce informed him that he promised a WWE championship match for the fine folks of Chicago, and damn it they were going to get one. He may as well have announced CM Punk’s return right then and there. Sure enough: CM PUNK IS BACK!!! 😱🔥 Sami Zayn’s mystery opponent is THE BEST IN THE WORLD!!! pic.twitter.com/6qXZ4yL19l — WWE (@WWE) July 7, 2026 Punk vs. Zayn had onl