Why CM Punk qualified for the WWE Money in the Bank ladder match over Finn Balor and GUNTHER: What’s next for the former Undisputed Champion?

WWE

Following the September 25 edition of Friday Night SmackDown, we now know all but one of the competitors set to wrestle in the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match.

With Je’Von Evans, Bron Breakker, Trick Williams and Penta previously qualifying for the ladder match, CM Punk faced off against GUNTHER and Finn Balor to determine the penultimate addition to the October 10 showdown.

In the closing moments of the match, GUNTHER reversed CM Punk’s GTS into a sleeper hold. When all seemed lost for the Chicago-native, Finn Balor climbed to the top rope and hit GUNTHER with his Coup De Grace signature move.

With this making GUNTHER release his submission hold, CM Punk was able to quickly pin the Ring General before Finn Balor could capitalize.

This result stung for the fans of both GUNTHER and Balor, especially those rooting for the latter star, whose move resulted in Punk punching his ticket to Money in the Bank.

Many had predicted that Balor would qualify for the ladder match, which has led some to question, why did CM Punk win this Money in the Bank qualifier?

The money is in the chase

While in a vacuum, CM Punk stealing a pin from Finn Balor while GUNTHER takes the fall sounds like an odd turn of events, it’s worth remembering the story that WWE is telling with the Second City Saint.

CM Punk was proving himself as a fighting champion during his recent Undisputed WWE Championship reign, taking on all comers across PLEs and weekly episodes of SmackDown.

Punk’s time as champion came to an end on the September 11 SmackDown episode, when Sami Zayn defeated him for the gold following interference from Johnny Gargano and Kevin Owens.

Following his title loss, Punk took to social media to state that he doesn’t “have” to get the title back, he gets to, and that he will reclaim the Undisputed WWE Championship.

Putting CM Punk in the Money in the Bank ladder match is a great way to keep him in the WWE Title conversation, while not immediately running back a rematch.

Real reason for Sami Zayn’s Undisputed WWE Championship win

Per Mike Johnson of PWInsider shortly after Sami Zayn’s second Undisputed WWE Championship win, the company had plans to run WWE Champion Sami Zayn vs World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns as the main event of the upcoming Crown Jewel premium live event.

As is now customary, WWE’s two top champions face off every year at Crown Jewel to determine that year’s Men’s Crown Jewel Champion, essentially the ultimate titleholder in WWE.

With CM Punk having dropped the World Heavyweight Title to Roman Reigns in the main event of WrestleMania 42, it makes sense that WWE would be reluctant to have this match also headline a smaller event later that same year.

For Reigns vs Zayn to happen, Sami would need to be WWE Champion on November 7, six weeks from now. As WWE wants to keep Punk a credible title contender, the company won’t want him to lose a title rematch so soon after dropping the championship, so the company needed something else for Punk to do, while also keeping him in the title picture.

The Money in the Bank ladder match made sense for Punk, as regardless of if he wins or comes up short, he will be actively chasing the WWE Title, instead of remaining stagnant during Sami Zayn’s reign.

While many fans accept this, there’s a more bitter pill to swallow…

What is happening with Finn Balor?

What are the similarities between the idea of a Finn Balor Undisputed WWE Championship reign, and my Balor Club hoodie which is so worn out you can barely read the lettering? I’m not willing to let go of either.

Finn Balor fans rejoiced seeing the inaugural Universal Champion defeat Trick Williams, Royce Keys and Damian Priest on the July 24 SmackDown episode to earn a spot in the #1 contender’s match at SummerSlam.

While things didn’t go in Balor’s favour at SummerSlam – with Kevin Owens and GUNTHER added to the match and Owens ultimately winning – fans of Finn felt somewhat optimistic heading into Friday’s Money in the Bank qualifier.

While the result does sting in the moment, I’m not selling my Finn Balor stocks just yet, for several reasons.

Firstly, it was Finn Balor’s move which not only resulted in the fall, but also took out GUNTHER of all stars. Secondly, Balor’s reaction to Punk stealing the pin was interesting, with the star visibly angry, but ultimately shaking Punk’s hand.

I don’t think that this was just any old loss for Balor, I believe seeds have been sown for a heel turn and eventual feud with CM Punk.

If Punk does win the Undisputed WWE Championship back in the coming months, Balor could be waiting in the wings to take out the Chicago-native…

… That, or WWE will just keep Finn Balor in the upper-midcard forever, but I know which version of events I’m hoping for.

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• wwe
• cm punk
• Finn Balor
• GUNTHER

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