At Bash In Berlin, CM Punk scored his first televised win on WWE programming in over a decade with his Strap Match win over Drew McIntyre. Not only did Punk get the win at Germany’s first PLE, but he dominated the much larger McIntyre for a good portion of the bout.
Punk not only made McIntyre tap out but also hit four GTS finishers on the man who has goaded him since January. The finish of the match saw Punk touch all four turnbuckles without any issue from McIntyre, a sign of just how truly beaten Scottish Warrior had become.
But why did Punk win this match in such a decisive manner? WWE reportedly felt that Punk needed a big win, Dave Meltzer reports, as he’d yet to have one since returning to WWE at Survivor Series: WarGames in November 2023. Before Berlin, Punk’s only wins for WWE post-return had been live event victories over ‘Dirty’ Dominik Mysterio.
The reported belief within WWE was that McIntyre could handle getting so thoroughly beaten by CM Punk. It’s added that those in charge will have been aware that McIntyre would be getting his ‘heat’ back mere days later.
Not Over Yet
On RAW, Punk said that his feud with McIntyre is behind him and set his sights on the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Moving on will prove easier said than done as Drew McIntyre ambushed Punk mid-promo and destroyed the fan-made bracelet gifted to Punk that has been pivotal in their feud.
McIntyre’s destruction of Punk in Denver, CO has left many believing that a third rubber match will take place at a future PLE, potentially next month’s Bad Blood show. Some have suggested that such a match would take place in Hell in a Cell, a match-type used at every Bad Blood PLE so far.
RAW also saw Sami Zayn come face to face with GUNTHER and make his own case to challenge the World Heavyweight Champion. With the WrestleMania 40 enemies on track for a rematch with a much richer prize, Punk will have to wait before he steps in the ring with the Austrian, giving him time to have one final showdown with Drew McIntyre.
