WWE

WWE Reportedly Helped CM Punk Apologize for Controversial Saudi Arabia Remarks

John Cena retained the Undisputed WWE Championship against CM Punk in their first singles match in over a decade, following decisive interference from Seth Rollins.

Leonardo Cunha
WWE Reportedly Helped CM Punk Apologize for Controversial Saudi Arabia Remarks

In their first one-on-one encounter in over twelve years, John Cena defeated CM Punk to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship in the main event of Night of Champions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The conclusion of the match was decided by the interference of Seth Rollins, whose actions directly led to Cena securing the pinfall victory.

The critical moment came when Rollins, holding his Money in the Bank briefcase, stormed the ring and struck Punk. Although a cash-in was never officially initiated, the attack incapacitated Punk, allowing Cena to neutralize Rollins before pinning his challenger to continue his championship reign as part of his ongoing farewell tour.

This marks the second time in 2025 that Rollins has directly cost Punk a pivotal match. At the Elimination Chamber event in March, Rollins hit Punk with a Stomp, which enabled Cena to win that match by submission and secure his title opportunity for WrestleMania 41.

The championship bout was preceded by a notable segment on the Night of Champions kickoff show, where CM Punk issued a public apology for a controversial tweet he wrote six years ago. Prompted by a fan in the audience, Punk addressed the situation directly.

This guy wants me to apologize for a mean tweet I wrote six years ago. Hey, listen, legitimately had nothing to do with Saudi Arabia. I woke up and I was crabby. I wrote a mean tweet to The Miz. I apologized to The Miz. And sir, what’s your name? Muhammad. Muhammad, I sincerely apologize to you. And I love Saudi Arabia.

The authenticity of the exchange was questioned by Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, who suggested the fan was placed by the company to facilitate the apology.

That obviously, you know, that obviously was planted… I mean that never, you know what I mean? It was, it’s, it’s really interesting how, you know, they, whatever it was, you know, obviously somebody wanted him to apologize and he did because he’s, he’s not exactly the apologetic type for one thing.

Meltzer characterized the moment as out of character for the outspoken star.

I thought he came off just horrible… They made him apologize. Triple H was like, oh, you know, it’s so grown up of him to apologize and it’s like, you know, perfect, it, it… But you know, whatever. I just thought, you know, it couldn’t be worse, but it’s wrestling and it’s to be expected.

Following the event, WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H publicly praised Punk, stating he was “incredibly proud” of the act. The build-up to the title match also included Cena referencing Punk’s past criticisms of WWE’s relationship with Saudi Arabia and featured a segment on the go-home episode of SmackDown where Punk performed a rap promo targeting Cena, styled after his “Doctor of Thuganomics” persona.