CM Punk kept his WrestleMania main event hopes alive on Saturday night in Chicago, defeating Finn Bálor at Elimination Chamber to retain the World Heavyweight Championship. With the victory, Punk now moves on to face Royal Rumble winner Roman Reigns at WrestleMania in Las Vegas.
CM Punk Homecoming Match in Chicago
Competing in front of his hometown crowd, Punk and Bálor started the match trading momentum back and forth. Punk briefly took control early, trapping Bálor in the corner and letting the crowd count along with his punches. Bálor escaped by slipping between Punk’s legs and quickly shifted the momentum, trapping Punk against the ropes and landing several hard shots to the midsection.
Punk soon regained control and launched himself through the ropes with a suicide dive that drove Bálor lower-back first into the commentary desk. Back inside the ring, the champion followed up with a flying clothesline, though Bálor managed to kick out. Punk attempted the GTS multiple times, but Bálor avoided the move twice.
Later in the match, Punk rolled out of the way of a Coup de Grâce attempt and responded with a running knee in the corner before hitting his signature elbow drop. He briefly tried to transition into a Sharpshooter, but Bálor fought out of it. Punk then applied the Anaconda Vise, though Bálor managed to roll through and escape the hold.
Punk Secured the Win with GTS
Bálor eventually connected with the Coup de Grâce, but Punk kicked out at two. Punk later landed the GTS, but the impact sent Bálor sliding out of the ring before a pinfall could be attempted. Outside the ring, Bálor sent the champion crashing through the barricade, though it still wasn’t enough to put Punk away.
In the closing moments, Punk raised his foot to block another Coup de Grâce attempt and transitioned into a Sharpshooter. After Bálor broke free of the hold, Punk struck with the GTS once more to secure the victory.
Following the match, Punk celebrated in the ring with his wife, newly crowned Women’s Intercontinental Champion AJ Lee.
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