WWE SummerSlam 2026 saw CM Punk defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes. This match had a lot riding on it, and the Second City Saint showed up at the biggest party of the summer with no intention of going easy on the Grandson of a Plumber.
The rivalry took shape after Night of Champions, where Cody Rhodes lost the Undisputed WWE Championship in a triple threat match. Rhodes quickly earned another opportunity, but before he could capitalize, he was taken out in a backstage attack. That opened the door for CM Punk to make his return and win the title, which was something he hinted at before taking his hiatus after WrestleMania 42.
Cody Rhodes and CM Punk’s match at SummerSlam was set up soon after that. Even though the two had a team up at Saturday Night’s Main Event to battle Sami Zayn and GUNTHER in a match to keep the SummerSlam Undisputed Title match from becoming a four-way.
Both CM Punk and Cody Rhodes received amazing receptions from the Minnesota crowd. Then they got started, with CM Punk targeting Cody Rhodes’ arm early on. Then Cody fought back to protect himself from enduring any further damage to his shoulder. Cody avoided a GTS early on in the process.
CM Punk started selling his knee at one point during the match. That didn’t stop him from nailing a running knee in the corner. Then Cody turned his focus to Punk’s leg.
Cody Rhodes continued to apply offense on CM Punk, including a super Cody Cutter, but he only got a near fall. Then Punk tried for a GTS, but Cody wrapped up his leg and grapevined him with a submission hold.
CM Punk was able to latch on a chokehold, and Cody Rhodes couldn’t get to the ropes. Then Cody wrapped his leg around Punk’s head before bridging out of the hold and into a Crossroads for a near fall. The match kept going, and CM Punk nailed a moonsault off the top rope for another two count. They got to their feet before Punk nailed a GTS for a third close call in a very short sequence.
Punk was able to hit another GTS, but Cody Rhodes grabbed the bottom rope. Both men were giving their all in this matchup, for sure. The Punk placed Cody on the announce table and scaled to the top rope before he missed an elbow drop through the table. That was a train wreck, and it left Punk banged up.
Once CM Punk got back in the ring, Cody Rhodes went for a Cody Cutter, but he accidentally nailed the referee, Charles Robinson. Punk nailed a GTS after that, and Cody collapsed back onto Punk’s shoulders, but he nailed a Crossroads that sent Punk out of the ring.
Suddenly, Randy Orton returned through the crowd, and he nailed Cody Rhodes with an RKO. We hadn’t seen Orton since he lost to Cody at WrestleMania.
Once CM Punk got back in the ring, he hit another GTS to win the match and retain the Undisputed World Title. This was thanks to Randy Orton, but the important part is that the Summer of Punk 2026 will continue.
What’s your take on CM Punk and Cody Rhodes’ match at SummerSlam? Do you like how the program was booked? Let us know what you think in the comments section!
