CM Punk to shockingly replace major star in the main event of Money in the Bank? Exploring the possibility

The main event of WWE Money in the Bank 2025 sees both reigning men’s World Champions in action—Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena and World Heavyweight Champion Jey Uso—as they team up with Logan Paul and Cody Rhodes, respectively. And yet, the event lacks a certain buzz that WWE PLEs had no trouble generating until a few months ago.

With SmackDown set to host all MITB competitors from both RAW and SmackDown and a few high-profile confrontations just 24 hours before the PLE, there is still time to generate one final push of electricity.

Speaking of electricity, one may start thinking of the man WWE can put in any scenario that sorely needs it—the same man who made his earth-shattering return at Survivor Series 2023 and kickstarted his road to the main event of WrestleMania: CM Punk.

How could CM Punk land on the MITB 2025 card less than 24 hours from the show?

The Second City Saint missed out on qualifying for the Money in the Bank Ladder Match earlier this week after interference from Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. He is, of course, dealing with the Seth Rollins/Paul Heyman axis over on RAW alongside Sami Zayn and Jey Uso. So, let's work with his ally who does have a busy weekend: Jey Uso.

Uso is scheduled to defend his World Heavyweight Championship against Gunther this Monday on RAW, just two nights after MITB. Considering the physical toll and the fact that Gunther’s presence looms large over anything he chooses to associate himself with, it’s very plausible that The Ring General arrives on SmackDown tonight uninvited and unwelcome, or perhaps the contrary.

Gunther might invade the blue brand to remind Jey Uso how dangerous he is, perhaps with some assistance, or at the very least, to the delight of Paul and Cena. However, in a quest to weaken or outright remove Uso from Saturday's tag team main event, as well as amplify his chances of winning the WHC next Monday, what if this decision ends up backfiring on the heel contingent?

If Gunther takes Jey out of commission, Cody Rhodes will be left without a partner. This brings us to the Money in the Bank ladder match field, or rather, the absence of a certain person from said field: CM Punk.

But here's the best part about CM Punk replacing Jey Uso at Money in the Bank

Choosing to team up with Cody Rhodes to take on John Cena and Logan Paul might not just be a segue for CM Punk or a last-minute plan to generate some buzz, though; it would be the ultimate amalgamation of the main stories on RAW and SmackDown. It would also be the ultimate full-circle moment: Punk and Cena opposite one another at Money in the Bank after 14 years, something the WWE Universe has been ardently clamoring for.

We are already seeing the brand split further disintegrate in real-time, and if one has to do away with it, why not do so in style? In fact, with theories of a potential Seth Rollins/John Cena axis also stirring, now is the perfect time to set the scene in motion.

Plus, CM Punk has been calling out John Cena for months, ever since Cena's actions at Elimination Chamber. He also has a bone to pick with Logan Paul, who eliminated him from the Royal Rumble.

Why CM Punk replacing Jey Uso makes perfect sense

Cena vs. Punk defined an era. There’s unfinished business between the two—and what better way to kickstart one last program during Cena’s farewell run than a direct collision on Saturday night?

Punk is also one of Cody Rhodes’ few trusted allies in the locker room. They stood shoulder-to-shoulder in AEW and never fully clashed—leaving behind a wealth of potential for a slow-burning feud down the line. They have had some iconic promo battles in WWE already, and their chemistry and dynamic both on-screen and off make Punk the most natural and emotionally compelling replacement should Jey Uso be taken out of the equation.

Only time will tell whether Gunther makes his move on SmackDown, but if he does, CM Punk may just be the man who shocks the world and steps back into the main event where he’s always belonged.