Gunther defeats CM Punk in WWE house show steel cage match

For the first time ever, Gunther and CM Punk faced off on Sunday night.

The two clashed in a steel cage match in the main event of WWE’s Holiday Tour house show at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. With the World Heavyweight Championship on the line, Gunther defeated Punk to remain champion. The finish of the match saw Dominik Mysterio interfere and slam the cage door on Punk’s head as he was about to escape. Gunther then escaped through the door to win the match.

Dirty Dom costed CM Punk the World Heavyweight Championship 💔😭

What. A. Match. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/4Hbtg38fPd

— Teffo (@Teffo_01) December 30, 2024

WWE still sent the Chicago fans home happy, though. Dominik, New Day, and Santos Escobar attacked Punk after the match, but Rey Mysterio, LA Knight, and Otis made the save to help Punk stand tall.

Dominik Mysterio called The New Day to attack CM Punk but Punk had his own team with Rey Mysterio & LA Knight!#wwe #wwechicago #wrestling #cmpunk #laknight #dominikmysterio #ReyMysterio pic.twitter.com/kiNvn8Az6k

— Sportskeeda Wrestling (@SKWrestling_) December 30, 2024

In WWE storylines, Punk’s had his sights set on going after the World Heavyweight Championship but has needed to deal with Drew McIntyre and Seth Rollins first. Punk ended his feud with McIntyre by defeating him in a Hell in a Cell match this October. Punk vs. Rollins will headline WWE Raw’s Netflix premiere episode on January 6.

Gunther has held the World Heavyweight Championship since defeating Damian Priest in August.

After presenting a taped episode last Monday during Christmas week, Raw is back live tonight for its final episode on USA Network. WWE has announced that Punk and Rollins will both be appearing live ahead of their match next week.