WWE has locked in the opening segment for the July 10 episode of Friday Night SmackDown, and the company is starting the night with its new Undisputed WWE Champion.
According to Cory Hayes of False Finish, early rundown plans call for CM Punk to open the show in Oklahoma City. That would put Punk front and center for his first SmackDown appearance since taking the title from Sami Zayn on RAW.
Punk returned as Cody Rhodes’ replacement after Gunther took Rhodes out of action. He then defeated Zayn to capture the Undisputed WWE Championship, setting up a major first appearance as champion heading into Saturday Night’s Main Event.
The rest of the SmackDown card is already loaded. WWE added Alexa Bliss vs. Jade Cargill late in the day, giving the women’s division another major match on the final show before Saturday Night’s Main Event.
WWE Tag Team Champions R-Truth and Damian Priest will also face AAA World Tag Team Champions The Viking Raiders in a winner-take-all match, with both sets of titles at stake. Trick Williams is set to battle Carmelo Hayes in a non-title match, while Finn Balor will face Tama Tonga.
Plans can always shift before the show hits the air, but the current rundown has WWE opening SmackDown with CM Punk and giving the new champion the first word. Be sure to tune in live and follow along with Ringside News for full play-by-play coverage over in our SmackDown results section.
What do you think CM Punk will say when he opens SmackDown tonight? Leave your feedback in the comments.
