WWE SummerSlam 2025 delivered a jaw-dropping moment at MetLife Stadium on August 2, as Seth Rollins cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase to snatch the World Heavyweight Championship from CM Punk. The night’s main event saw Punk defeat Gunther in a grueling 30-minute match to claim the title, his first WWE world championship since 2013. However, the celebration was short-lived, lasting just five minutes, as Rollins, seemingly sidelined by a knee injury, made a dramatic return. “The Visionary” faked his injury, tossed aside his crutches, and raced to the ring, attacking an exhausted Punk with the briefcase before pinning him with a Stomp to become the new champion.
The main event showcased Punk’s resilience against Gunther’s technical prowess, with Punk countering powerbombs and landing a GTS to secure the win. “Punk and Gunther are great, but the match was a slog to close the night,” noted Yahoo Sports analyst Andreas Hale. Rollins’ cash-in, however, electrified the crowd, reigniting his storied rivalry with Punk. Rollins’ dominance proved too much, a WWE post on X declared, highlighting the calculated ruse that fooled fans and Punk alike.
The night also featured other standout matches. Roman Reigns and Jey Uso defeated Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed in the opening tag-team bout, while Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss bested Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez for the Women’s Tag Team Championship. Country music star Jelly Roll, making his WWE in-ring debut alongside Randy Orton, took a massive bump in a loss to Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre. “That was probably the biggest celebrity bump we’ve ever seen,” Hale remarked.
Key moments from SummerSlam Night 1 include:
- Rollins’ Ruse: Faking an injury from Saturday Night’s Main Event to surprise Punk.
- Punk’s Triumph: Defeating Gunther in 30:18 for the World Heavyweight Championship.
- Jelly Roll’s Debut: Impressing despite the loss in a high-profile tag match.
“This sets the stage for the Punk-Rollins feud to carry on,” Hale added, noting potential for a climactic showdown at WrestleMania 42. The dramatic cash-in has sparked widespread buzz on X, cementing SummerSlam 2025 as a night of unforgettable twists.
