WWE SmackDown rolled into the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, this week, and there was a new champion for the blue brand. CM Punk is now Undisputed Champion, and fans were psyched to see it happen.
CM Punk shocked the wrestling world earlier this week when he made his WWE return on Monday Night RAW and immediately captured the Undisputed WWE Championship. He hadn’t been seen since WrestleMania, but he came back at the perfect time.
The title match wasn’t originally supposed to happen that way. Cody Rhodes was set to challenge Sami Zayn, but GUNTHER blindsided Rhodes in a backstage attack at the start of the show. After Rhodes was ruled medically unable to compete, Adam Pearce announced that Zayn would still defend the championship, but kept his replacement a mystery until Punk’s music hit.
Tonight on SmackDown, Punk arrived on the blue brand for the first time since winning the title. With the Undisputed WWE Championship now around his waist and SummerSlam quickly approaching, all eyes were on what the new champion had to say as the next chapter of his reign officially got underway.
CM Punk cut a promo where he mentioned a bunch of people in the locker room, including Sami Zayn, GUNTHER, Damian Priest and Finn Balor. However, he didn’t mention Cody Rhodes.
The American Nightmare made his way out next, and he wasn’t happy. He brought up how CM Punk didn’t mention him, and Punk said he did that on purpose. The point was also made that they tried to keep this match from happening, but it’s unavoidable now.
CM Punk said that Cody Rhodes told him to say “when” if he wanted a title match. Then Cody said “SummerSlam,” and the match was on. Only time will tell who leaves the building at SummerSlam as Undisputed Champion, but we have a big match in store for fans.
WWE SummerSlam 2026 will take place over two nights on Saturday, August 1, and Sunday, August 2, 2026, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Ringside News will have full coverage of both nights.
What’s your take on CM Punk and Cody Rhodes having an Undisputed World Title match at SummerSlam? Who do you think will win? Let us know what you think in the comments section!
