CM Punk has booked his place in the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match, but his victory on SmackDown has left fans debating whether Finn Bálor should have taken the spot.

Punk defeated Bálor and Gunther in a competitive Triple Threat on the September 25 episode. All three had opportunities to win, with Gunther delivering heavy punishment and Bálor threatening to turn the match in his favour with the Coup de Grace.

The deciding moment came when Gunther trapped Punk in the Gojira Clutch. Bálor broke the hold with a Coup de Grace, only for Punk to seize the opening and pin Gunther.

Punk joins Bron Breakker, Je’Von Evans, Trick Williams and Penta in the men’s Money in the Bank match. The final place will be decided on next week’s SmackDown.

While Punk now has another opportunity to claim the briefcase, some viewers felt Bálor would have benefited more from the victory.

@itsluketucker wrote, “Legitimately the only wrong choice for a winner…what are we doing here?”

@0x_5d shared a similar view, saying, “Im not sure why they keep giving Punk good opportunities but never Finn Bálor.”

Others were more open to the result. @Dominicalheidt said they had wanted Bálor to advance but were not unhappy with Punk winning, suggesting he could be “one of the favorites to win the MITB.”

@Mikejordan77829 offered a harsher reaction, writing, “Cm punk the old bastad wins again.”

Meanwhile, @CorentinLouchel argued, “Finn Bálor should have won that match. Clearly, Punk didn’t need it at all, and neither did Gunther.”

Despite the divided reaction online, Punk and Bálor shared a respectful moment after the match. Punk told him, “You got this close, bud,” before accepting his handshake.

With five competitors confirmed and one spot still available, attention now turns to the final qualifier and whether Punk can turn this victory into a Money in the Bank triumph.