CM Punk is wearing ring gear that calls to mind his ROH days, but that’s not winning him too much favor with the fans, who appear to be solidly backing Samoa Joe. Punk is smiling through the early exchanges, perhaps thinking he’s in Joe’s head.
Joe finally gets Punk cornered a bit and lights him up with chops, as he is wont to do. Punk responds with a hurricanrana, then hears it from the crowd … and again when he misses a move to the floor.
The smiles have switched to Joe’s face as he smashes Punk through the bottom of the announce table, bloodying his foe. A back elbow won’t help Punk feel any better, you’d imagine, but he’s able to kick out at one.
After some more offense leaves both men down, Punk gains the upper hand, cupping his hand to his ear before dropping an elbow but seeing Joe pop right back up. Punk tries begging off but gets caught with right hands and a powerslam for two.
Joe’s powerbomb gets another two, and he quickly switches to an STF. A running kick lands for Punk, who does a spinning toe hold as an homage to Terry Funk. Joe pulls off an inside cradle of sorts and gets a two count.
Punk wants a running knee strike but sees it countered for a second time. But he’s able to connect on a Pepsi Plunge, and that keeps Joe down for three and the gold in Punk’s possession.