CM Punk defeated Finn Bálor to retain the World Heavyweight Championship on Saturday night in Chicago.
The hometown title defense took place at the United Center during the Elimination Chamber event. Former Chicago Bulls public address announcer Ray Clay introduced Punk, who initially walked out to the song “Sirius”.
Bálor controlled the early portion of the match by targeting Punk’s midsection with strikes and holds. Punk eventually responded with a suicide dive that sent the challenger into the commentary desk.
The competitors traded major maneuvers as the match progressed. Punk secured the Anaconda Vice, but Bálor escaped and delivered an elevated reverse DDT followed by a Coup de Grâce. Punk managed to kick out of the resulting pinfall attempt.
Bálor glanced toward the entrance stage, seemingly checking for his Judgment Day stablemates, before turning into a GTS from Punk. The impact knocked Bálor out of the ring. He quickly recovered on the floor, hitting a Sling Blade and driving Punk through the barricade with a dropkick.
Back inside the ring, Bálor attempted another Coup de Grâce. Punk raised his boot to block the attack and applied a Sharpshooter until Bálor reached the bottom rope. The champion then delivered multiple boots to Bálor’s face before executing a final GTS to secure the pinfall victory.
Following the conclusion, the two men shook hands in the center of the ring.
AJ Lee then emerged to celebrate with her husband, carrying her newly won Women’s Intercontinental Championship.
