Live Updates: CM Punk Returns To The Ring In WWE
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NEW YORK, NY–WWE returned to Madison Square Garden for the annual day-after-Christmas show, and this year’s event exceeded all expectations.
Becky Lynch opened the show. Rhea Ripley dazzled in victory. Cody Rhodes won a bull rope match. Seth Rollins closed out the show with a successful defense of the world heavyweight championship.
If all that wasn’t enough, CM Punk wrestled his first WWE match since 2014.
.@CMPunk has a simple message after #WWEMSG… 👀 pic.twitter.com/qRN0WXc6m9
— WWE (@WWE) December 27, 2023
It was an eventful night at the Garden. There was no moment greater than the return of Punk. Sharing the ring with Dominik Mysterio, who wrestled perhaps the most complete match of his career, Punk turned back the clock and looked outstanding in victory.
Much to the delight of the crowd, he was given the microphone after his win (typically reserved for the winner of the main event), and made his intentions clear: he is back to finish what he started.
WWE is finishing the year on an extremely high note, and this show at the Garden further cements their red-hot state as they enter the new year.
Main event: Seth Rollins defeats Drew McIntyre in no-DQ, no countout bout
Seth Rollins closed out the MSG show with a physical sprint of a match against Drew McIntyre.
Seth Rollins is ready to defend his world heavyweight championship in a no DQ, no countout match against Drew McIntyre… and McIntyre can’t wait for it to get started pic.twitter.com/RZncDvW6Ls
— Justin Barrasso (@JustinBarrasso) December 27, 2023
The chemistry between these two continues to grow, especially since their match at Crown Jewel last month. McIntyre has brought a new element of intensity, which further enhances their matches.
McIntyre gets a close two-count pic.twitter.com/PTNXzeaUWG
— Justin Barrasso (@JustinBarrasso) December 27, 2023
Rollins put McIntyre through a table, then hit his Curb Stomp to successfully retain the world heavyweight championship.
Seth Rollins gets the table shot - and the victory pic.twitter.com/ADFQIJdT8i
— Justin Barrasso (@JustinBarrasso) December 27, 2023
Following the victory, Rollins dedicated the moment to the memory of Brodie Lee and Bray Wyatt.
Seth Rollins dedicates the moment to the memory of Brodie Lee and Bray Wyatt pic.twitter.com/9GnOdJ36OP
— Justin Barrasso (@JustinBarrasso) December 27, 2023
Match #9: Cody Rhodes defeats Shinsuke Nakamura in a Bull Rope match
In a night that will be remembered for the return of CM Punk, there was an unforgettable performance by Cody Rhodes in his bull rope match against Shinsuke Nakamura.
Rhodes defeated Nakamura at the 9:04-mark, ending a physical, captivating bout against an opponent that suits his style extremely well.
Headed on a collision course with Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40, Cody Rhodes made the most of his bull rope match against Shinsuke Nakamura at Madison Square Garden pic.twitter.com/kts2cWb2YU
— Justin Barrasso (@JustinBarrasso) December 27, 2023
Rhodes shook hands and signed autographs (similar to Punk) following the win, which paid respect to a match his father made famous.
Cody Rhodes’ post-match celebration at MSG pic.twitter.com/aeY3ksIHdD
— Justin Barrasso (@JustinBarrasso) December 27, 2023
Match #8: Ricochet makes quick work of Bronson Reed
Following the intermission, Ricochet needed only three minutes-and-fourteen seconds to defeat Bronson Reed.
In just over three minutes, Ricochet made quick work of Bronson Reed pic.twitter.com/hFaJj8XWyY
— Justin Barrasso (@JustinBarrasso) December 27, 2023
Match #7: CM Punk defeats Dominik Mysterio
If you ever envisioned CM Punk returning to WWE in 2023, and wrestling his return match against Dominik Mysterio, make sure to start playing the lottery.
CM Punk has returned to Madison Square Garden pic.twitter.com/cCIG1BJmrV
— Justin Barrasso (@JustinBarrasso) December 27, 2023
In a match that wrapped up in just under 13 minutes, Punk put the spotlight on Mysterio and Rhea Ripley. They took turns giving a beating to Punk, which made his comeback even that much more meaningful.
Right from his entrance, Dom Mysterio made the most of every moment as CM Punk’s opponent pic.twitter.com/bkD3SJYuBV
— Justin Barrasso (@JustinBarrasso) December 27, 2023
Right from his entrance, Dom Mysterio made the most of every moment as CM Punk’s opponent pic.twitter.com/bkD3SJYuBV
— Justin Barrasso (@JustinBarrasso) December 27, 2023
This was clearly a point of pride for Dom Mysterio, who wrestled an outstanding match - playing the villain to perfection - against CM Punk pic.twitter.com/RP3Xozwlnl
— Justin Barrasso (@JustinBarrasso) December 27, 2023
Again, it is hard to believe that CM Punk is back wrestling in a WWE ring pic.twitter.com/LuRo8Fo7YT
— Justin Barrasso (@JustinBarrasso) December 27, 2023
Every single time Rhea Ripley was involved in the match, an already entertaining match became infinitely more compelling pic.twitter.com/6BsBa9W9Y5
— Justin Barrasso (@JustinBarrasso) December 27, 2023
Dom Mysterio pays homage to Eddie Guerrero - at Madison Square Garden - in a match against CM Punk pic.twitter.com/po0cmnfAOG
— Justin Barrasso (@JustinBarrasso) December 27, 2023
Callbacks to the “Macho Man” Randy Savage, Bret Hart, and Rey Mysterio from Punk and Mysterio pic.twitter.com/DS0cPA1UuV
— Justin Barrasso (@JustinBarrasso) December 27, 2023
CM Punk hits the GTS on Dom Mysterio pic.twitter.com/PCZqyzVLnQ
— Justin Barrasso (@JustinBarrasso) December 27, 2023
Punk… wants the mic pic.twitter.com/tuKDxJ2eTw
— Justin Barrasso (@JustinBarrasso) December 27, 2023
Punk… wants the mic pic.twitter.com/tuKDxJ2eTw
— Justin Barrasso (@JustinBarrasso) December 27, 2023
The crowd at Madison Square Garden was immersed in the entire match. To Mysterio’s credit, he shined in this moment. Playing the villain, he ate up the boos, controlled the majority of the action, and made Punk’s comeback that much more significant. Rhea Ripley was also outstanding, and it was clear that Punk enjoyed selling for the breakout star. From start to finish, this was a very entertaining match, and all three played their role to perfection.
Full of passion, Punk clearly enjoyed his return match. Paying respect to Bret Hart, he even locked in a Sharpshooter.
CM Punk: “This isn’t me finishing my story. This is me getting started”https://t.co/e0822Z5DDN pic.twitter.com/nOohhxphPj
— Justin Barrasso (@JustinBarrasso) December 27, 2023
Punk escaped defeat to hit the GTS, defeating Mysterio, and causing the crowd to erupt. He then wanted the microphone, and he vowed to win the Royal Rumble. More than that, Punk promised that he was going to finish what he started.
“This isn’t me finishing my story,” said Punk. “This is me getting started.”
Match #6: The Judgment Day defeat Jey Uso and Sami Zayn
The Judgment Day are leaving Madison Square Garden with their tag team gold.
In the match of the night thus far, Finn Balor and Damian Priest defeated Sami Zayn and Jey Uso to retain the undisputed tag titles. The finish came at the 10:20-mark, and right after a hot tag from Zayn had the building rocking.
If you enjoy tag team wrestling, this was a fantastic sequence between Judgment Day, Jey Uso, and Sami Zayn #WWEMSG pic.twitter.com/GREzhfH7iq
— Justin Barrasso (@JustinBarrasso) December 27, 2023
This four work exceptionally well together, and that was evident throughout the entire match.
Match #5: Rhea Ripley wins triple threat, retains WWE women’s championship
Rhea Ripley defeated Shayna Baszler and Ivy Nile in a triple threat match for the WWE women’s championship.
The majority of the action was controlled by either Ripley or Baszler, but Nile held her own with two of the best in the company.
WWE at MSG: Rhea Ripley vs. Ivy Nile vs. Shayna Baszler pic.twitter.com/bHuscBBiHs
— Justin Barrasso (@JustinBarrasso) December 27, 2023
Ripley capitalized on a weakened Baszler to win the match at the 8:22-mark, and her victory celebration began immediately following the win.
Rhea Ripley pins Shayna Baszler to win the triple threat - and retain her title -#WWEMSG pic.twitter.com/xf1Q7UDXnd
— Justin Barrasso (@JustinBarrasso) December 27, 2023
Match #4: Omos defeats R-Truth
R-Truth was ready to defend the honor of The Judgment Day and get a new Christmas present for John Cena.
A real old-school match is next, as R-Truth looks to knock Omos off his feet — and if he does, MVP will pay Truth and give him his watch - and more #WWEMSG pic.twitter.com/pwL2TBT2pL
— Justin Barrasso (@JustinBarrasso) December 27, 2023
Alas, it was not destined to be.
Omos squashed Truth in only 35 seconds. Had Truth knocked Omos off his feet, MVP was willing to pay handsomely, which led to a very compelling segment between Truth and MVP (and no, Truth did not make MVP break).
As for the match, it didn’t last long. Omos played the role of giant convincingly, and he made quick work of Truth.
It was a joy to watch two masters of the craft in MVP and R-Truth, but the action didn’t last long: Omos squashed Truth in under a minute #WWEMSG pic.twitter.com/gCZmQXdu4P
— Justin Barrasso (@JustinBarrasso) December 27, 2023
Match #3: Women’s Tag Team Champions Katana Chance and Kayden Carter defeat Chelsea Green and Piper Niven
The reigning champions defeated the former champs in a match that clocked in at 6:21.
Katana Chance and Kayden Carter defeat Chelsea Green and Piper Niven at the 6:21-mark #WWEMSG pic.twitter.com/4GJaMDZ8TM
— Justin Barrasso (@JustinBarrasso) December 27, 2023
Niven took the pin, and the crowd enjoyed this match. The opening moments were full of CM Punk chants, but the two teams captured the crowd’s attention, which was especially difficult in a match that was under 10 minutes.
Match #2: Kofi Kingston defeats Ludwig Kaiser
Courtesy of a Trouble in Paradise, Kofi Kingston defeated Ludwig Kaiser at the 6:52-mark.
New Day Rocks in NYC, as Kofi Kingston defeats Ludwig Kaiser with a picturesque Trouble in Paradise #WWEMSG pic.twitter.com/ACBOwp4r28
— Justin Barrasso (@JustinBarrasso) December 27, 2023
The layout of this match was well done. The two took turns controlling the action before Kaiser appeared to have the match won. But he stalled, providing the opening necessary for Kingston to hit his finishing move.
For fans of WrestleMania 35, tonight’s MSG show opened with Becky Lynch and then Kofi Kingston. Four years ago, both become world champion at WM 35.
Opening match: Becky Lynch defeats Zoey Stark
Stark controlled the opening moments of the match, working the body and grounding Lynch. She had the first three minutes of offense, before Lynch reversed course.
Zoey Stark controlled the opening three minutes, getting in plenty of offense, before Becky Lynch started to seize control of the match #WWEMSG pic.twitter.com/N0vkIJk9h7
— Justin Barrasso (@JustinBarrasso) December 27, 2023
The finish came at the 8-minute mark, as Lynch hit the Manhandle Slam for the win.
Becky Lynch hits the Manhandle Slam for the win #WWEMSG pic.twitter.com/0XauWhaGbj
— Justin Barrasso (@JustinBarrasso) December 27, 2023
NEW YORK, NY–For the first time since 2014, CM Punk is going to wrestle inside a WWE ring.
There were many, likely even Punk himself, who believed this would never happen, yet it becomes a reality tonight in a match against Dominik Mysterio.
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The location is fitting for the occasion, as Punk is set to return at Madison Square Garden. Punk referenced a familiar industry adage yesterday in his IG story, noting, “So goes the Garden, so goes the business.” We’ll get a better look at the state of pro wrestling, led by WWE, later this evening during the annual post-Christmas show.
"It's a cool moment"@CMPunk reflects on what it's like to be back at @TheGarden once again 🙌 #WWEMSG pic.twitter.com/1NFcJP7DsD
— WWE (@WWE) December 26, 2023
Advertised for the card is Seth Rollins defending the world heavyweight championship against Drew McIntyre in a grudge match. Cody Rhodes will take on Shinsuke Nakamura in a bull rope match, a match made famous by the legendary Dusty Rhodes. With origins that date back to 1974, the match was critical for “The American Dream”. He fought rivals like Harley Race, “Superstar” Billy Graham, and Terry Funk in the famed match, and it will mark Cody’s first time being a part of the famed bout in WWE.
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Also on the card is Sami Zayn and Jey Uso challenging The Judgment Day’s Finn Balor and Damian Priest for the undisputed WWE tag team titles. Rhea Ripley, Becky Lynch, Kofi Kingston, Omos, and Ricochet are all scheduled to appear.
This marks one of WWE’s most significant house shows of the past two decades. Live updates from throughout the night will be posted, with the action set to begin at 7:30pm ET.