Gunther and CM Punk brought the house down for the WWE SummerSlam main event, but it also saw Triple H break some strict rules.
The match will likely be more remembered for Seth Rollins’ shocking Money in the Bank cash-in on Punk, but it was an exceptional bout in its own right.
Punk and Gunther battled for over 30 minutes in New Jersey before the Best in the World picked up the win with back-to-back Go To Sleeps.
The match has been incredibly well-received by WWE fans, but it did also see Triple H break one of his own rules.
Gunther vs CM Punk used blood despite Triple H calling it ‘dangerous’ in 2022
Punk and Gunther’s battle at SummerSlam saw the rare use of blood as the Austrian emerged with a scarlet face after a commentary botch.
After being banned entirely by Vince McMahon in 2008, WWE has used blood incredibly sparingly over the years, even in the Triple H regime.
Triple H himself dubbed the use of blood ‘dangerous’ during a 2022 interview just months after he took charge of WWE.
“The world has changed. The world has evolved. I don’t think it’s necessary,” said Triple H about the use of blood in WWE in an interview with The Ringer.
“What we do is dangerous enough without intentionally making it more dangerous, ” The Game added. “We’ve changed that practice. And it’s irresponsible to go back.”
WWE’s Chief Content Officer clearly had a change of heart for Punk’s clash with Gunther, as it became just the third match in memory to use blood.
Punk’s clash with Drew McIntyre inside Hell in a Cell at Bad Blood in October 2024 also featured blood, although the Scottish Warrior legitimately busted open his forehead so it’s unclear if that was intentional.
Brock Lesnar was also busted open against Cody Rhodes at Backlash in 2023 after colliding with an exposed turnbuckle.
Is Gunther vs CM Punk the best WWE match of the year?
Punk continued his exceptional streak of incredible WWE PLE matches since his 2023 return with his SummerSlam bout with Gunther.
The match, which is currently ranked 8.81 on CageMatch, is up there as one of the best matches in WWE this year.
Punk’s bout with Gunther is definitely in the top two, alongside Rhea Ripley vs Iyo Sky vs Bianca Belair at WrestleMania 41.
Other selections for the best WWE match of the year include Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn’s incredible Elimination Chamber bout and the TLC ladder match for the Tag Team Championships.