CM Punk retained the WWE World Heavyweight Championship by defeating Bron Breakker in the main event of WWE Raw’s first anniversary on Netflix from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
The finish came when CM Punk countered a spear attempt with a knee strike before connecting with the GTS to secure the pinfall victory. The match marked Punk’s first televised title defence of his second reign. Punk won the vacant championship in November by defeating Jey Uso on the November 1 Saturday Night’s Main Event after Seth Rollins was forced to vacate the title due to injury.
Bron Breakker controlled much of the contest, repeatedly using his strength and intensity to wear down the champion. Punk briefly shifted momentum by countering a running spear on the floor with a flying clothesline, but Breakker quickly reasserted control following the commercial break.
Breakker attempted a hurricanrana from the top rope, and while the exchange appeared awkward, the two later revisited the spot successfully. Punk followed with an elbow drop, though his rally was cut short when Paul Heyman distracted him as he attempted to set up the GTS.
Interference escalated when members of The Vision became involved, resulting in the referee being taken out. Austin Theory delivered a curb stomp to Punk for a near fall, prompting Rey Mysterio, Penta, and Dragon Lee to appear and brawl with Logan Paul and Bronson Reed at ringside, restoring order.
Despite absorbing a GTS and running into the ring post, Breakker continued to fight, countering another attempt with an armbar. Punk escaped and applied the Anaconda Vice, though Breakker broke free and responded with a gutbuster and clothesline for a near fall of his own.
The closing moments saw Punk avoid another spear and briefly strike Paul Heyman on the apron. Breakker caught Punk with a forearm as Punk attempted a dive, then followed with a high-impact aerial strike that sent Punk through the announce table.
Breakker again went for the spear inside the ring, but Punk countered with a knee strike and delivered a final GTS to retain the championship.
The victory allowed Punk to close the anniversary edition of WWE Raw standing tall with the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
How Many WWE World Titles Has CM Punk Held?
CM Punk has held seven WWE World Championships, having held the WWE Title twice, the current WWE World Heavyweight Title twice, and the historic World Heavyweight Title, which was used from 2002-2013, three times. He also held the ECW World Title once.
His first world title reign in WWE started on June 30, 2008, when he defeated Edge on Raw by cashing in his Money in the Bank contract he won at WrestleMania 24, after Batista beat Edge down, making him an easy target for the Straight Edge Superstar.
