CM Punk Praises Gunther Ahead of SummerSlam 2025 Clash: A Wrestler Who Bridges Generations

• by Arlen Fitzpatrick
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CM Punk Sees Gunther as a Rare Talent for the Ages

There aren’t many wrestlers who can stir the imagination of fans both young and old quite like Gunther. So, when CM Punk recently spoke ahead of their high-stakes clash at WWE SummerSlam 2025, calling Gunther a wrestler who could have fit into any era, people listened. The idea is pretty bold, especially coming from someone as opinionated as Punk, who has seen the industry twist and turn from all angles over two decades.

SummerSlam 2025 is giving us a match-up that could have headlined shows in the days of Bruno Sammartino or gone toe-to-toe with the likes of Bret Hart in the ‘90s. CM Punk versus Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship has set up a classic clash of styles—and personalities. Punk’s got wrestling IQ, an MMA-inspired bag of tricks, and enough rebellious spirit to never back away from a challenge. Gunther, on the other hand, brings power, brutal strikes, and a ring presence straight out of pro wrestling’s golden age.

What Makes Gunther Stand Out in Today’s WWE?

Wrestling purists often complain that the soul of the sport has been watered down with modern flash. Punk sees Gunther as an exception—a guy with roots deep in European mat wrestling and the toughness to go with it. If you lined him up against legends like Ric Flair or Triple H, you get the sense Gunther wouldn’t feel out of place. He’s got that steady, almost stoic way about him, the type who lets his actions do the talking instead of endless promos.

Watching Gunther, you pick up traces of a larger wrestling family tree—old school but never out of date. At SummerSlam, that meant weathering Punk’s grappling and sudden submission attempts, mixing in MMA-style kicks and ground-and-pound. The matchup played to both men’s real strengths: Punk’s creative offense versus Gunther’s determination to carry the match at his pace, throwing heavy chops and keeping the pressure on.

People watching at home could feel that this wasn’t a flashy highlight reel kind of match. It was more of a story being told with each move: a push and pull between tradition and evolution. And that’s what makes Gunther stand out right now. He doesn’t bend to the times—he brings out the best from any opponent, modern or classic. Punk said it best: you could throw Gunther into a wrestling ring anytime from the ‘80s to right now, and he’d always find a way to be a threat near the top.

• Punk’s technical moves clashing with Gunther’s heavy-handed strikes
• Long stretches of ground grappling broken by sudden bursts of power
• A sense of respect—maybe even rivalry—between two ring generals

SummerSlam 2025 set the tone for what wrestling can be when two distinct approaches collide. Gunther’s durability and Punk’s sharp instincts turned the main event into something fans will probably argue about for years. If you’re keeping score, it’s not just about who wins or loses. It’s about seeing what happens when eras meet in the middle. And as Punk’s own words make clear, Gunther’s star isn’t tied down to any one moment—he’s one of those rare few who just seem built to last.