Seth Rollins has stayed one step ahead of CM Punk for weeks, and on Monday night Punk will open Raw to address the continuing conflict.
The feud escalated at SummerSlam when Punk won the World Heavyweight Championship by beating Gunther in a grueling match — only for Rollins to reveal his allegedly injured knee was a ruse, cash in his Money in the Bank contract and steal the title from Punk minutes after Punk’s victory. Punk tried to even the score last Monday, emerging from the crowd to attack Rollins during Rollins’ title defense against LA Knight. Punk briefly had the upper hand, but Rollins’ allies Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed swarmed Punk and left him down again, extending Rollins’ momentum heading into Raw.
On the same show, Becky Lynch is scheduled to defend the Women’s Intercontinental Championship against Maxxine Dupri.
Raw airs from Centre Vidéotron in Quebec City, Quebec, beginning at 8 p.m. ET. Expect live updates, highlights and fallout as the program unfolds.
Analysis and context
– Rollins’ SummerSlam cash-in and his continued advantage fit a classic heel pattern: feigning weakness to create an opportunity, then using numbers and alliances to neutralize a stronger single opponent. That strategy keeps Punk in a sympathetic, resilient role while positioning Rollins as a calculating champion.
– Punk opening Raw gives him a chance to set the tone and possibly force a change in Rollins’ approach — or to try to provoke a match or stipulation that limits Rollins’ ability to use allies.
– The presence of Breakker and Reed suggests Raw could feature further beatdowns, multi-man segments, or a tag/multi-person match to settle scores. Creative could move toward a singles rematch with stipulations (no outside interference, cage, etc.) to protect Punk and give him a clear path back to the title.
– Becky Lynch vs. Maxxine Dupri is a separate storyline to watch: Lynch’s belt defenses continue to build her momentum and legitimacy as champion, while Dupri has an opportunity to elevate her standing.
What to watch Monday night
– Will Punk demand a rematch or a stipulation that limits Rollins’ allies?
– Will Rollins flaunt his hold on the title or try to further dismantle Punk’s credibility with attacks?
– Any new alliances or surprise returns that could tip the balance in Punk’s favor.
– How the Lynch–Dupri match plays out and whether it spawns a new challenger or program.
Hopeful angle
Punk has been consistently portrayed as a fighter who keeps getting up. If creative leans into his resilience, this angle can build to a satisfying comeback — a story of persistence, crowd support and overcoming odds that resonates beyond the ring.
Additional suggestions for publication
– Include a short poll for readers: “Should Punk get a rematch with a no-interference stipulation?” to drive engagement.
– Embed short clips or GIFs of the SummerSlam cash-in and last week’s Raw attack (if available) to increase time on page.
– Add a push alert plan for when Punk appears or when any title match is announced on the show.
Brief summary
Seth Rollins capitalized on a fake knee injury to cash in on CM Punk minutes after Punk won the World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam. Punk attacked Rollins last week but was overwhelmed by Rollins’ allies. Punk will open Raw to address the situation, while Becky Lynch defends the Women’s Intercontinental Championship against Maxxine Dupri. Expect developments that could include rematch stipulations, multi-man confrontations, or surprise returns.