CM Punk Defeats Finn Balor to Retain World Heavyweight Title On WWE Raw

CM Punk and Finn Balor met in the main event of this week’s WWE Raw in a match that ended with Punk retaining his title and a show of respect. The headlining match of Monday’s show saw Balor challenge Punk for the latter’s World Championship. The bout went over 16 minutes and saw Balor pull out all the stops. He even came out to his old theme song “Catch Your Breath” instead of the Judgment Day’s theme.

Balor presented quite the challenge for Punk and hit two shotgun dropkicks followed by a Coup de Grace toward the end of the match for a nearfall. However, Punk was able to come back and hit two Go To Sleeps in order to get the win and retain his championship.

Following the match, Punk offered Balor his hand and helped him up. The two shared some words before Punk raised Balor’s hand up in a show of respect. You can see a few highlights from the match and post-match moment below.

Punk’s World Heavyweight Championship reign now stands at 79 days. He won the vacant title at Saturday Night’s Main Event on November 1st in a match against Jey Uso.

A HOMECOMING for The Prince! 🤩@FinnBalor pic.twitter.com/ugL8qSchN5

— WWE (@WWE) January 19, 2026

Back and forth they go! 👊@CMPunk | @FinnBalor pic.twitter.com/XMZ1iXazQ5

— WWE (@WWE) January 19, 2026

Finn just KICKED OUT of the GTS 😱@FinnBalor pic.twitter.com/MbD6ILV6J2

— WWE (@WWE) January 19, 2026

PUNK RETAINS 🏆@CMPunk is leaving Belfast STILL World Heavyweight Champion! pic.twitter.com/JxSPbni76j

— WWE (@WWE) January 19, 2026

Game recognizes game 🤝

A tremendous amount of respect between @CMPunk and @FinnBalor! pic.twitter.com/rMsSYPQO2v

— WWE (@WWE) January 19, 2026