CM Punk qualified for the Men’s Money in the Bank ladder match with a win over Finn Balor and GUNTHER during “WWE SmackDown.” He joins Bron Breakker, Je’Von Evans, Penta, and Trick Williams, with one more participant to be determined, and he will be looking for a record third time winning the briefcase and subsequent title shot.
GUNTHER battled both Balor and Punk at separate times, incapacitating one before returning to the other. One such exchange saw GUNTHER return to the ring for a back-and-forth with Balor, this time Balor getting the better with a Pele kick but remaining on the mat with the “Ring General.”
Punk connected with his signature elbow drop and followed up with a running bulldog to Balor and a lariat at the same time to GUNTHER. He sought then for GTS on GUNTHER, but GUNTHER raked Punk’s eyes to escape. Balor and Punk then worked together to apply a Boston Crab to GUNTHER in the middle of the ring. GUNTHER reached for the ropes and Balor broke the hold to roll up Punk, Punk kicking out and looking for the GTS to no avail.
Balor delivered slingblade and a shotgun dropkick to send Punk into the corner, delivering Coup de Grace and going for the cover. But GUNTHER pulled him out of the ring to break the count.
Punk hits GTS to Balor and GUNTHER delivered a dropkick to Punk, following up with a powerbomb for another near-fall. GUNTHER cinched in a rear choke on Punk and collapsed over his back, Balor then delivering a Coup de Grace to his back. But Punk turned and stole the pin before Balor could capitalize, securing the win to qualify.
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