CM Punk vs. John Cena Official For Night Of Champions 2025 In Saudi Arabia (WWE News)
Punk vs. Cena, one last time, at WWE Night of Champions.
With many fans curious as to whether CM Punk would be a part of any upcoming WWE Saudi Arabia shows, we now have our answer.
On last night's Raw, the opening segment saw the Second City Saint come out to confront John Cena, in turn setting up Punk vs. Cena for the WWE Championship at Night of Champions later this month. For those unaware, Night of Champions takes place from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on 28 June.
This will not only mark the first one-on-one match Punk and Cena since 2013, but it will also be the Straight-Edge Superstar's first ever match in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Of course, this comes after CM Punk had previously been critical of WWE working with Saudi Arabia, complete with a social media dig at The Miz in reference to "blood money".
As it stands, CM Punk vs. John Cena is the only match set in stone for Night of Champions right now, although we do know that that Premium Live Event will also feature the finals of the King and Queen of the Ring tournaments.
Punk Vs. Cena, One Last Time
While many fans had presumed we'd be getting one more match between CM Punk and John Cena at some point during Cena's retirement tour, it's a smidge surprising to see that match coming so soon. Either way, we now know that these two old rivals will be going at it one more time in just a matter of weeks.
The two did get to interact earlier this year in the men's Royal Rumble and then at Elimination Chamber, but the last time they were in a singles match was over 12 years ago. That was on a February 2013 episode of Raw, with the pair memorably facing off to earn a WrestleMania 29 shot at The Rock and what was then referred to as the WWE Heavyweight Championship.
Prior to that, Punk and Cena were regularly matched up throughout 2011 and 2012, most famously at Money in the Bank 2011, where the Chicagoan celebrated in his hometown by beating Big Match John and taking the WWE Title hostage.
Given how CM Punk is now confirmed to be heading to Saudi Arabia for Night of Champions, that would seemingly answer those questions about whether he'd be a part of next year's Royal Rumble. With the 2026 Rumble also taking place in Saudi, some fans had presumed, based on his past comments, that that'd rule Punk out of appearing at that event. If Punk is working Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia, one would have to think he'd likewise be fine with working the Royal Rumble.