Undisputed WWE champion John Cena successfully defended his title against CM Punk at Night of Champions, but the match was marked by an unexpected and controversial incident involving referee Charles Robinson. During the main event, Cena shoulder-blocked the veteran referee, sending him flying out of the ring as he attempted to step in after the match was disrupted by Seth Rollins and his faction. The interference from Rollins and his stablemates, Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker, led to a chaotic scene, with Reed and Breakker taking out Punk before Cena was thrown out of the ring. Rollins, who had previously attempted to cash in his Money in the Bank contract, called for a new referee as the main referee was knocked out of the ring. Robinson, who had been knocked down, sprinted to the ring but was shoulder-blocked by Cena, preventing Rollins from officially entering the match. The disruption led to a prolonged struggle between Cena and Punk as Rollins attempted to interfere further, ultimately costing Punk a chance at the title. Cena managed to pin Punk and retain the Undisputed WWE Championship, securing his position at the top of the wrestling world.
The incident raised questions about the conduct expected of champions and referees in high-stakes matches. Robinson, a veteran referee with a long history in WWE since 1997, was forced to take a dramatic fall in the process. Despite the mishap, Robinson expressed relief, writing on X that he was ‘alive’ after the match. The chaos of the match underscored the unpredictable nature of WWE’s high-octane events, where drama often takes center stage. While Cena’s victory was celebrated, the incident highlighted the ongoing tension between storytelling and competition in professional wrestling. The match’s outcome not only determined the title’s ownership but also set the stage for future events, including Rhodes’ potential title shot at SummerSlam. With Rhodes having won the King of the Ring tournament earlier in the night, the WWE has once again positioned itself for a major showdown that could reshape the championship landscape.