CM Punk Captures WWE Undisputed Title, Ends Sami Zayn’s Nine‑Day Reign
On the July 6 episode of WWE Raw in Chicago, CM Punk made his long‑awaited return, stepping in for the injured Cody Rhodes. Punk faced the newly crowned Undisputed WWE Champion Sami Zayn and defeated him to win the title, ending Zayn’s inaugural reign after just nine days.
Multiple reports, including Fightful Select and False Finish, state that WWE had planned the title change for months, intending to use Punk’s victory as a springboard for a championship match against Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam 2026 in Minneapolis. The decision sparked strong fan reaction, with Zayn expressing frustration on‑air and on social media, while analysts described his brief reign as a planned transitional phase.
The upcoming SummerSlam is set for August 1‑2, 2026 at U.S. Bank Stadium, where Punk is expected to defend the championship against Rhodes, confirming the storyline shift that began with his surprise win on Raw.