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CM Punk returns to Raw in Chicago, wins WWE championship

Live coverage and related reports for CM Punk returns to Raw in Chicago, wins WWE championship.

AI Story Summary

What happened?

CM Punk returned on Monday Night Raw in Chicago as the surprise replacement challenger for Sami Zayn's WWE Championship. The change came after GUNTHER attacked Cody Rhodes backstage, leaving Rhodes medically unable to compete in the originally scheduled title match. According to the report, Punk defeated Zayn to win the WWE Championship.

Key Takeaways

CM Punk made his return to Raw in Chicago.
Sami Zayn was originally scheduled to defend the WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes.
GUNTHER attacked Rhodes backstage, causing Rhodes to be pulled from the match for medical reasons.
Raw General Manager Adam Pearce kept the promised title match by naming a mystery opponent.
The report says Punk defeated Zayn to win the WWE Championship.

AI Timeline

Planned main event

Sami Zayn was set to defend the WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes on Raw.

Backstage attack

GUNTHER attacked Rhodes and left him not medically cleared to compete.

Title match preserved

Adam Pearce said Chicago would still get a WWE Championship match.

Surprise return

CM Punk was revealed as Zayn's mystery challenger.

Championship result

Punk reportedly defeated Zayn to win the WWE Championship.

Model: gpt-5.5•Generated: Jul 7, 3:01 AM

Sources Covering This Story

Cageside Seats

Timeline

Jul 7, 2:38 AM

CM Punk returns to Raw in Chicago, wins WWE championship

Cageside Seats • WWE

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

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