WWE Friday Night SmackDown July 10, 2026 Results & Recap: CM Punk vs. Cody Rhodes Set for SummerSlam, GUNTHER Chokes Out Nick Aldis and Baron Corbin Returns

WWE Friday Night SmackDown entered last night carrying the immediate consequences of one of the most abrupt Undisputed WWE Championship changes in recent memory. CM Punk arrived in Oklahoma City as the new champion after unexpectedly replacing an injured Cody Rhodes and ending Sami Zayn’s nine-day reign on Monday Night RAW, but WWE did not waste time allowing the championship picture to settle. Instead, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis reinstated himself, officially brought Punk to the blue brand and sanctioned Punk against Rhodes for the main event of SummerSlam.

That decision produced the strongest material of last night’s show. Punk and Rhodes calmly acknowledged the championship match they had seemingly been avoiding for years, GUNTHER demanded restitution after taking Rhodes out of Monday’s scheduled title match, and Aldis found himself trapped between maintaining his authority and managing an increasingly volatile Ring General. By the end of the night, GUNTHER had repeatedly choked Aldis unconscious while Cody raced to the ring to make the save.

Elsewhere, Baron Corbin made a surprising WWE return by attacking Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes, Jade Cargill targeted Alexa Bliss’ arm after defeating her, Finn Bálor gained revenge against Tama Tonga, and the fractured Bloodline story became even more complicated when Jacob Fatu attacked his longtime friend Royce Keys while still refusing to seriously injure Solo Sikoa.

Last night was not built around lengthy wrestling showcases. It was a storyline-heavy episode designed to establish SummerSlam’s main event, strengthen the July 18 Saturday Night’s Main Event card and create several television programs beneath the world championship picture. Some developments landed far better than others, but the closing angle gave SmackDown the dangerous sense of unpredictability it has often lacked.

Here are the full results

• Finn Bálor defeated Tama Tonga
• Jimmy Uso defeated Royce Keys
• Jade Cargill defeated Alexa Bliss
• United States Champion Trick Williams vs. Carmelo Hayes ended in a no contest after the returning Baron Corbin attacked both men.

Breakdowns & Reactions

Nick Aldis Returns, CM Punk Joins SmackDown and Cody Rhodes Challenges Him for SummerSlam

Nick Aldis opened last night’s show by addressing the administrative leave that followed his recent physical confrontation with GUNTHER. Aldis acknowledged his responsibility in the situation, revealed that he had completed mediation and announced that he had officially resumed his duties as SmackDown General Manager.

Aldis immediately turned his attention toward SmackDown’s changing championship landscape by introducing the new Undisputed WWE Champion, CM Punk.

Punk entered with the championship around his waist and a visible black eye from Monday’s match with Sami Zayn. The Oklahoma City crowd treated him like the unquestioned centerpiece of the show, chanting his name before he could begin speaking.

Punk explained that discussions about bringing him to SmackDown had been taking place for approximately two-and-a-half months. Monday’s circumstances accelerated those negotiations when Cody Rhodes was removed from his scheduled championship match and Punk accepted the opportunity to replace him.

The champion promised that he would not be a ceremonial titleholder. Punk said he intended to wrestle on television, defend the championship whenever possible and place the same pressure upon himself that comes with claiming to be the Best in the World.

He mentioned several possible challengers, including Sami Zayn, GUNTHER, Finn Bálor, Royce Keys, Damian Priest and Trick Williams. The obvious omission was Cody Rhodes, and Cody quickly interrupted.

Rhodes pointed out the symmetry between this confrontation and their exchange following WrestleMania, when Cody was champion, wore a black eye and told Punk that he only needed to say “when” if he wanted a championship opportunity.

Punk did exactly that.

Cody answered with “SummerSlam,” the two men shook hands and Aldis immediately made the Undisputed WWE Championship match official.

The segment was effective because neither man needed to force hostility that does not yet exist. Punk and Rhodes presented themselves as friends who understand that their respective ambitions have placed them on an unavoidable collision course. There was respect, but the handshake did not erase the tension created by Monday’s circumstances.

Cody was deprived of his scheduled title opportunity because GUNTHER attacked him. Punk then stepped into Cody’s position and walked away with the championship. Punk did nothing illegal, but Cody is entirely justified in believing that the opportunity—and perhaps the title—should have belonged to him.

Punk also created future conflicts by openly inviting practically every major name on SmackDown to challenge him. His reign is being positioned around activity and competition rather than avoidance, although WWE must eventually explain why Cody was immediately awarded the SummerSlam match without defeating Punk, earning another contender’s opportunity or resolving the unfinished issues involving Sami and GUNTHER.

Grade: A-

What worked

• Punk’s move to SmackDown gave the brand a clearly defined world champion and central figure.
• The callbacks to Punk and Rhodes’ post-WrestleMania interaction made the challenge feel earned through long-term continuity.
• Cody and Punk did not manufacture premature hatred simply because they are scheduled to wrestle.
• Punk naming multiple challengers created several credible directions beyond SummerSlam.
• Aldis immediately felt consequential upon returning to his position.

What didn’t work

• Cody received another title opportunity immediately after being removed from Monday’s match, without any competitive process.
• Sami Zayn and GUNTHER were initially treated as secondary considerations despite being directly connected to the championship change.
• Declaring Punk against Cody as the SummerSlam main event before addressing GUNTHER made Aldis look unusually shortsighted.

Finn Bálor vs. Tama Tonga

Finn Bálor opened the wrestling portion of last night’s show aggressively after being attacked backstage by Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga one week earlier.

Bálor used his speed to prevent Tama from controlling the opening exchange, landing a dropkick and sending him to the floor with a clothesline. Talla’s presence quickly became a factor, allowing Tama to interrupt Bálor’s rhythm and take control with a jumping neckbreaker.

Tama attempted to neutralize Bálor through physical pressure and short bursts of offense rather than trying to match his pace. Bálor eventually created separation with a Russian leg sweep, double stomp and inverted headlock elbow drop.

Tama responded by cutting Bálor off in the corner and connecting with a powerful variation of Angel’s Wings for a near-fall. That was the closest the match came to presenting Tama as a genuine threat to win.

Bálor survived, caught Tama with the Sling Blade and followed with the shotgun dropkick. After briefly dealing with both Tongans on the floor, Bálor returned to the ring and finished Tama with the Coup de Grâce.

The match was solid without becoming memorable. Bálor needed the victory after last week’s attack, and the clean finish protected his momentum as one of the names Punk specifically identified as a possible challenger.

However, WWE still appears uncertain about how seriously it wants viewers to take Tama and Talla. Talla’s interference created an obstacle, but Bálor overcame both men without requiring meaningful assistance. That made the revenge satisfying while doing little to increase the Tongans’ credibility.

Grade: B-

What worked

• Bálor wrestled with urgency consistent with the previous week’s attack.
• Tama’s power provided a useful contrast to Bálor’s speed and precision.
• The Coup de Grâce gave the match a decisive finish.
• Punk mentioning Bálor earlier gave the victory additional significance.

What didn’t work

• Talla’s interference followed a familiar and predictable structure.
• Tama never developed sustained momentum or felt close to securing a major victory.
• The match did not establish what Bálor’s next objective will be.
• Defeating Tama while escaping Talla made the supposed numbers disadvantage feel less dangerous.

The War Raiders Continue Pursuing R-Truth and Damian Priest

R-Truth appeared backstage with Axiom and Nathan Frazer while settling a World Cup-related wager. The War Raiders then confronted Truth over their unresolved championship proposal, only for Jimmy Uso and Jacob Fatu to arrive and cause Erik and Ivar to back away.

Damian Priest entered moments later and directed Jimmy and Jacob toward Royce Keys. Truth questioned why Priest would betray Keys, but Priest dismissed the issue by saying Keys was not their responsibility.

The segment connected several stories, but it also highlighted the unexplained disappearance of the advertised winner-take-all tag team championship match involving Priest, Truth and the War Raiders.

A title-versus-title match involving the WWE World Tag Team Championship and AAA World Tag Team Championship had been promoted before last night’s show, yet it never occurred. WWE did not provide a clear on-air explanation for its removal. Instead, the War Raiders merely complained about their championship proposal.

That is not a small omission. A winner-take-all championship match carries more importance than a casual backstage confrontation. Removing it without directly explaining the change weakened the episode’s advertised wrestling lineup and left the tag team championship story feeling disorganized.

Grade: C

What worked

• The segment smoothly connected the tag team title issue with the Bloodline story.
• R-Truth’s comedy did not completely overwhelm the storyline purpose.
• Priest’s indifference toward Royce Keys added a colder edge to his character.

What didn’t work

• The advertised winner-take-all championship match never happened.
• WWE gave viewers no satisfactory explanation for why the match was removed.
• The War Raiders felt more like background antagonists than reigning AAA World Tag Team Champions.
• The championship stakes were reduced to a vague “proposal” rather than treated as an urgent issue.

GUNTHER Confronts Nick Aldis About the SummerSlam Main Event

Nick Aldis was shown speaking with Sami Zayn by telephone. Aldis confirmed that Sami had requested time away after losing the Undisputed WWE Championship and that he had granted the request.

Aldis explained that he still had an obligation to book a championship match for SummerSlam and insisted his decision was final.

GUNTHER then entered and confronted the General Manager. He maintained a controlled tone but made his position clear: after taking Cody Rhodes out and creating the circumstances that allowed Punk to become champion, he believed he belonged in the SummerSlam title match.

GUNTHER did not care whether he faced Punk, Cody or both. He simply expected Aldis to correct what he considered a mistake.

This was an essential follow-up to the opening segment. GUNTHER’s argument was self-serving, but it was not irrational. He removed the scheduled challenger, Punk benefited from his actions, and Cody was then rewarded with another championship opportunity without GUNTHER receiving anything.

Aldis promised to consider the demand, but the scene made it clear that GUNTHER was not asking for consideration. He was delivering a deadline.

Grade: B+

What worked

• GUNTHER presented a logical argument rather than behaving irrationally from the beginning.
• Aldis’ conversation with Sami acknowledged the emotional consequences of Monday’s title change.
• The controlled confrontation created anticipation for the closing segment.
• GUNTHER’s restrained delivery made his eventual explosion more effective.

What didn’t work

• Aldis should have anticipated GUNTHER’s objection before announcing the SummerSlam match.
• Sami’s requested absence was immediately complicated by his later inclusion in a match at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
• The segment raised questions about whether Sami had actually agreed to return.

Jimmy Uso and Jacob Fatu Confront Royce Keys

Jimmy Uso and Jacob Fatu entered the ring intending to call out Solo Sikoa, but Royce Keys answered instead.

Keys confronted Jimmy for repeatedly inserting his name into the Bloodline’s internal conflict. He argued that loyalty, not blood, defines a family and defended his 14-year relationship with Jacob.

Jimmy warned Keys that he was crossing a line from which he could not return. Keys refused to retreat, insisting that he would not watch Jacob destroy himself for people who continued using the concept of family to manipulate him.

Jacob attempted to calm Keys, asking him not to speak disrespectfully about Roman Reigns. That was one of the most telling details in the segment. Jacob remains emotionally tied to Keys, but he is once again allowing loyalty to the Bloodline and the Tribal Chief to override his personal relationships.

When Jimmy threatened to attack Keys, Jacob stopped him and walked away, leaving Jimmy to handle the confrontation alone. Keys then threw Jimmy from the ring, prompting an impromptu match.

The verbal exchange carried more weight than the match that followed. Keys was not presented as someone randomly interfering in Bloodline business. He was positioned as Jacob’s genuine friend attempting to stop him from becoming consumed by the same cycle that damaged the family before.

Grade: B+

What worked

• Keys’ argument about loyalty versus blood gave the confrontation emotional substance.
• Jacob’s hesitation showed that he remains conflicted beneath his aggressive exterior.
• Jimmy was effectively portrayed as the member pushing Jacob toward further violence.
• The history between Keys and Fatu made the conflict feel personal.

What didn’t work

• The “family versus loyalty” theme has been repeated throughout several versions of the Bloodline story.
• Roman Reigns’ absence continues to loom over a storyline driven heavily by devotion to him.
• Jimmy’s exaggerated “Big Jim” presentation sometimes distracts from the seriousness of the material.

Jimmy Uso vs. Royce Keys

Royce Keys immediately used his size and strength to overwhelm Jimmy, driving him into the corner with punches and dropping him with a heavy clothesline.

Jimmy relied on speed and experience to survive, using an enzuigiri and a dive to the outside before throwing Keys across the announce desk. Keys responded by delivering multiple World’s Strongest Slams into the desk without breaking it.

Solo Sikoa then appeared at ringside and prepared to strike Jimmy with the Samoan Spike. Jacob Fatu returned to intercept him, applying the Tongan Death Grip and throwing Solo over the barricade.

The ringside chaos distracted Keys, allowing Jimmy to hit the Spear and secure the victory.

The finish protected Keys from a completely clean loss, but it also made him look overly distracted by an altercation that did not directly involve him at that moment. Jimmy needed some credibility, yet Keys’ first major confrontation with the Bloodline would have benefited from a stronger competitive conclusion.

The match served its storyline purpose, but it was more functional than exceptional.

Grade: B-

What worked

• Keys’ power offense made him physically credible against Jimmy.
• Jimmy sold Keys’ strength effectively.
• Solo’s arrival advanced the Bloodline conflict.
• The finish logically connected to Keys’ concern for Jacob.

What didn’t work

• The distraction finish was predictable once Solo appeared.
• Keys lost focus too easily during an important match.
• The wrestling never reached the emotional level established by the preceding promo.
• Jimmy’s victory felt opportunistic rather than meaningful.

Jacob Fatu Attacks Solo Sikoa and Royce Keys

After the match, Jacob dragged Solo into the ring and assaulted him in the corner. Royce attempted to intervene and reason with his longtime friend, but Jacob responded with a superkick and senton.

Jimmy then slid a chair into the ring. Jacob placed it around Solo’s neck and prepared to crush him in the corner, only to stop before making contact.

Instead, Jacob warned Solo to return to the family on Monday Night RAW. He declared that this was Solo’s final warning and promised he would not stop the next time.

This was one of last night’s strongest character moments. Jacob attacked Keys, the person attempting to protect him, yet still could not seriously injure Solo. That contradiction exposed the real conflict beneath his violence.

Jacob wants to prove his loyalty to Roman and the family, but a part of him still recognizes that Solo is his blood. His refusal to complete the chair attack suggested that he is not as emotionally committed to this version of the Bloodline as Jimmy wants him to be.

The warning also advanced the story beyond SmackDown by ordering Solo to appear on RAW.

Grade: A-

What worked

• Jacob turning on Keys gave the storyline a painful personal consequence.
• Stopping before the chair attack showed internal conflict without requiring dialogue.
• Jimmy handing Jacob the chair reinforced his role as an instigator.
• Solo was protected from a definitive defeat while remaining under threat.
• The Monday Night RAW ultimatum created a clear next chapter.

What didn’t work

• The storyline is becoming crowded with several overlapping relationships.
• Jacob’s motivations require continued clarification to avoid feeling inconsistent.
• Moving the next development to RAW risks weakening SmackDown’s ownership of the story.

CM Punk Encounters Johnny Gargano, Candice LeRae and Finn Bálor

CM Punk was interviewed backstage about the reaction to Cody Rhodes receiving the SummerSlam title match. Punk welcomed the criticism and said he wanted everyone to line up for an opportunity.

Candice LeRae then pushed a nearly motionless Johnny Gargano into the scene. Candice explained that Sami Zayn had represented hope for underdogs like Johnny during his brief championship reign.

Punk dismissed their current behavior and told them to return to doing what they do best inside the ring because whatever they were doing now was not working.

As Punk left, he encountered Finn Bálor. Finn welcomed the champion to SmackDown, quietly reminding Punk that their unresolved competitive history remains relevant.

The scene accomplished more than it initially appeared to. Punk was not portrayed as endlessly sympathetic toward everyone affected by Sami’s loss. He was direct, impatient and somewhat dismissive. That edge will be important if WWE wants the Cody feud to develop beyond two respected friends agreeing to wrestle.

Finn’s brief appearance also prevented his victory over Tama from existing in isolation. Punk had mentioned him earlier, and Finn made sure the champion knew he was listening.

Grade: B

What worked

• Punk displayed sharper personality traits instead of behaving like a completely sanitized champion.
• Gargano and Candice connected Sami’s loss to the wider locker room.
• Finn’s appearance created a possible post-SummerSlam direction.
• The segment made Punk’s open-challenge philosophy feel relevant backstage.

What didn’t work

• Gargano’s nearly catatonic presentation remains more strange than compelling.
• Punk dismissing their emotions could undermine the importance of Sami’s championship loss.
• Finn’s interaction was too brief to create immediate stakes.

Jade Cargill vs. Alexa Bliss

Alexa Bliss entered alongside Charlotte Flair, while Jade Cargill was accompanied by Michin and B-Fab.

Alexa attempted to use speed and timing to frustrate Jade, catching her with a knee lift and later a blockbuster. Jade responded with repeated backbreakers, grounding Bliss and forcing her to absorb the match’s heavier offense.

The ringside situation quickly became decisive. B-Fab pulled Alexa from the ring, Charlotte attacked Michin, and B-Fab drove Flair into the ring post. Alexa briefly fought off the interference, but Jade caught her with a pump kick and finished her with Jaded.

The match itself was competent, but the persistent outside involvement prevented it from developing into a meaningful singles contest. Jade should not require repeated assistance to defeat Alexa if WWE intends to present her as one of the division’s most physically dominant performers.

The finish was also secondary to what followed.

Grade: B-

What worked

• Alexa’s quick offense contrasted effectively with Jade’s power.
• Jade’s backbreakers gave the match a consistent physical target.
• Alexa fought through the numbers disadvantage rather than being completely overwhelmed.
• Jaded produced a decisive visual finish.

What didn’t work

• Jade needed too much assistance for someone positioned as physically dominant.
• The ringside interference overshadowed the wrestling.
• Charlotte and the Baddies followed a predictable outside-brawl formula.
• The match was too short to establish genuine escalation before the finish.

Jade Cargill and the Baddies Injure Alexa Bliss

After the match, Michin attempted to introduce a chair, but Charlotte initially protected Alexa.

The numbers advantage eventually overwhelmed Flair. Michin and B-Fab restrained Charlotte while Jade trapped Alexa’s arm inside the chair and violently drove it toward the canvas.

Alexa’s elbow appeared hyperextended as Charlotte checked on her and helped her toward the trainer’s room.

The attack gave Jade’s program with Charlotte a needed personal edge. Jade did not simply defeat Charlotte’s partner; she forced Charlotte to watch while Alexa was injured. That is a much stronger reason for Flair to seek revenge than another disagreement over status or championship opportunities.

The execution of the chair spot looked awkward, but the intended message was clear. Jade and the Baddies are no longer satisfied with winning matches. They are attempting to physically eliminate Charlotte’s support system.

Grade: B+

What worked

• The attack gave Charlotte a personal reason to target Jade.
• Alexa’s arm provided a clear injury angle that can affect future matches.
• Michin and B-Fab contributed meaningfully to the group’s threat.
• Jade looked ruthless rather than merely confident.

What didn’t work

• The mechanics of the chair attack looked unusual and lacked visual clarity.
• Jade’s reliance on the Baddies continued after she had already won.
• WWE must avoid using the injury solely as a temporary excuse to remove Alexa without meaningful follow-up.

Lil Yachty Presents Trick Williams With a Customized United States Championship

Lil Yachty presented Trick Williams with a customized version of the United States Championship featuring a furry strap.

Yachty told Trick there was one condition attached to the gift: Williams needed to give Carmelo Hayes a “double-diamond” beating later in the night.

The presentation fit the celebrity-heavy version of Trick’s character, but the customized championship risked making the actual United States title feel like an accessory to a comedy bit.

Trick’s confidence and celebrity associations are part of his appeal. However, the rivalry with Carmelo Hayes already had years of history capable of carrying the segment without relying so heavily on a novelty belt.

Grade: C+

What worked

• The customized championship matched Trick’s flashy personality.
• Lil Yachty’s involvement gave Trick additional mainstream presentation.
• The segment directly promoted the main event.

What didn’t work

• The furry championship looked more comedic than prestigious.
• The celebrity involvement overshadowed the personal history between Trick and Carmelo.
• The United States Championship felt like a prop rather than the central prize.

Trick Williams vs. Carmelo Hayes

Carmelo Hayes opened by using a side headlock, but Trick quickly overpowered him with a shoulder block and attacked him against the ropes.

Trick controlled the early stages through size and aggression while Ricky Saints watched the match backstage. Carmelo eventually increased the pace, connecting with La Mistica, a diving DDT, a frog splash and a Codebreaker.

Trick answered with leg lariats, a back body drop, jumping neckbreaker and Cyclone Kill. Carmelo continued surviving, forcing Trick to become increasingly frustrated.

Hayes attempted another aerial attack after sending Trick into Lil Yachty on the floor. Before Carmelo could complete the move, Baron Corbin suddenly appeared and pulled him from the turnbuckles.

Corbin entered the ring and attacked both men, delivering End of Days to Trick and Carmelo before leaving.

The match was easily last night’s strongest bell-to-bell contest before the interruption. Trick and Carmelo possess natural chemistry built through years of working together, and their counters reflected familiarity rather than two wrestlers simply cycling through moves.

Unfortunately, the no-contest finish prevented the rivalry from receiving a satisfying chapter. Corbin’s return was genuinely surprising, but his motivation was not explained. Without that explanation, the appearance felt designed primarily to generate shock.

There is potential in Corbin targeting two wrestlers who represent the generation that rose while he was away, but WWE must establish why he chose Trick and Carmelo specifically.

Grade: B+

What worked

• Trick and Carmelo’s familiarity created smooth counters and believable reversals.
• Carmelo’s repeated kickouts increased Trick’s frustration.
• Both wrestlers received credible near-falls.
• Corbin’s return was legitimately unexpected.
• End of Days on both men immediately placed Corbin in the center of the program.

What didn’t work

• Another inconclusive main event denied the audience a meaningful result.
• Corbin’s motivation was not explained.
• The United States Championship remained secondary despite the champion wrestling.
• Lil Yachty’s ringside involvement became another distraction.
• Ricky Saints watching backstage introduced another element without immediate payoff.

Nick Aldis Announces a Major Saturday Night’s Main Event Tag Team Match

GUNTHER returned to the ring and demanded Nick Aldis’ answer regarding SummerSlam.

Aldis told GUNTHER that he had considered the demand and would give him exactly what he wanted. GUNTHER wanted Cody Rhodes and CM Punk, so Aldis booked him against both men at Saturday Night’s Main Event.

The match will feature CM Punk and Cody Rhodes teaming against GUNTHER and Sami Zayn at Madison Square Garden.

The announcement immediately strengthened a Saturday Night’s Main Event card that previously lacked a match with true main-event scale. Punk and Cody will be forced to cooperate two weeks before challenging each other for the championship, while GUNTHER will be paired with the former champion whose loss he helped create.

The obvious complication involves Sami. Earlier in the show, Aldis acknowledged granting Sami requested leave. Booking him for July 18 without showing that he accepted the match creates a continuity question that WWE must answer.

As a piece of event promotion, however, the match was exactly what Saturday Night’s Main Event needed.

Grade: A-

What worked

• The match added major star power to Saturday Night’s Main Event.
• Punk and Cody teaming before SummerSlam creates natural tension.
• GUNTHER and Sami have legitimate grievances with both opponents.
• Madison Square Garden now has a match worthy of the venue.

What didn’t work

• Sami had just requested time away, making his immediate booking contradictory.
• The familiar “future opponents must coexist” structure is predictable.
• GUNTHER still did not receive the championship opportunity he demanded.

GUNTHER Chokes Out Nick Aldis

After announcing the tag team match, Aldis informed GUNTHER that the SummerSlam main event would remain CM Punk against Cody Rhodes.

GUNTHER responded by punching the General Manager.

He continued the assault and trapped Aldis in the Gojira Clutch. Producers, referees and officials entered the ring, but GUNTHER repeatedly broke through them and returned to the hold.

Each time Aldis regained consciousness or attempted to stand, GUNTHER attacked again. The violence was prolonged enough to move beyond a standard authority-figure beatdown. GUNTHER was attempting to humiliate Aldis, destroy his authority and prove that administrative power meant nothing once they occupied the same ring.

Cody Rhodes finally arrived to make the save as the broadcast ended.

The closing angle was last night’s best segment because it transformed an administrative dispute into a deeply personal conflict. Aldis made a defensible decision, but he also antagonized GUNTHER by questioning whether bringing him to SmackDown had been a mistake.

GUNTHER’s response crossed every professional boundary and may force Aldis toward an in-ring return. Even without immediately announcing that match, WWE created a credible reason for Aldis to eventually stop acting solely as an executive and confront GUNTHER himself.

Ending the broadcast as Cody arrived also connected Rhodes to GUNTHER without allowing the segment to become another extended brawl. Cody still has unfinished business with the man who cost him Monday’s championship opportunity.

Grade: A

What worked

• GUNTHER’s attack felt violent, sustained and deeply personal.
• Aldis maintained authority by refusing to alter the SummerSlam main event.
• The repeated sleeper holds made GUNTHER look genuinely unhinged.
• Cody’s save connected the closing angle to both SummerSlam and Saturday Night’s Main Event.
• The segment created a believable path toward GUNTHER against Aldis.
• SmackDown ended with unresolved chaos rather than a routine pose.

What didn’t work

• Security and officials looked ineffective as GUNTHER repeatedly resumed the attack.
• WWE must explain what consequences GUNTHER faces for assaulting the General Manager.
• Cutting away immediately prevented viewers from seeing Cody and GUNTHER’s full confrontation.
• The possible Aldis match could overcrowd SummerSlam if WWE rushes toward it.

What Was Announced for Next Week’s SmackDown?

WWE did not formally announce a complete match lineup for the July 17 episode of SmackDown from Albany, New York during last night’s broadcast.

A video package stated that Fatal Influence would challenge Brie Bella and Paige for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship “next week.” That championship match, however, remains scheduled for Saturday Night’s Main Event on Saturday, July 18 at Madison Square Garden—not the July 17 SmackDown broadcast.

The following developments were promoted for the coming week:

• Solo Sikoa was ordered by Jacob Fatu to appear and “rejoin the family” on Monday Night RAW.
• Brie Bella and Paige will defend the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship against Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
• CM Punk and Cody Rhodes will prepare to team together against GUNTHER and Sami Zayn.
• The aftermath of GUNTHER’s attack on Nick Aldis is expected to affect SmackDown, but no formal segment was announced.
• WWE did not officially announce a match for the July 17 SmackDown episode before last night’s broadcast ended.

Best Match of the Night

Trick Williams vs. Carmelo Hayes

Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes delivered the most complete wrestling of last night’s episode before Baron Corbin’s interference.

Their timing, counters and familiarity gave the match a natural rhythm that none of the other bouts matched. Carmelo survived the Cyclone Kill, Trick escaped several of Hayes’ biggest attacks, and both wrestlers appeared capable of winning before Corbin interrupted.

The finish was disappointing because the match deserved a conclusion, but no other contest last night reached the same level of urgency or chemistry.

Best Match Grade: B+

Best Segment of the Night

GUNTHER Repeatedly Chokes Out Nick Aldis

The final angle delivered consequences, violence and multiple future directions.

GUNTHER’s anger had been built throughout the episode rather than appearing without warning. Aldis refused to alter his decision, GUNTHER responded by attempting to destroy him, and Cody’s late arrival kept his unresolved conflict with the Ring General alive.

The segment strengthened GUNTHER, increased Aldis’ importance and made both Saturday Night’s Main Event and SummerSlam feel more volatile.

Best Segment Grade: A

Current Saturday Night’s Main Event Card

WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event takes place Saturday, July 18, 2026, from Madison Square Garden in New York City.

• Undisputed WWE Champion CM Punk and Cody Rhodes vs. GUNTHER and Sami Zayn
• WWE Hall of Famer Brie Bella and Paige (c) vs. Fatal Influence (WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship)
• Danhausen vs. JD McDonagh

Current SummerSlam Card

WWE SummerSlam takes place across two nights on Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 2, 2026, from U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

• CM Punk (c) vs. Cody Rhodes (Undisputed WWE Championship)
• Roman Reigns (c) vs. Seth Rollins (WWE World Heavyweight Championship)
• Liv Morgan (c) vs. Iyo Sky (WWE Women’s World Championship)
• Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar (Hell in a Cell Match)

Final Thoughts

Last night’s SmackDown was far more successful as a storyline vehicle than it was as a wrestling show.

Only four matches took place, none received an entirely clean environment, and the advertised winner-take-all tag team championship match disappeared without a sufficient explanation. Jimmy Uso defeated Royce Keys after a distraction, Jade Cargill benefited from the Baddies’ involvement, and Trick Williams against Carmelo Hayes ended without a winner.

That structure prevented the episode from feeling complete between the ropes.

The creative direction surrounding the Undisputed WWE Championship was considerably stronger. CM Punk immediately felt like SmackDown’s central figure, Cody Rhodes received the SummerSlam match viewers expected, and GUNTHER’s refusal to accept Aldis’ ruling created the episode’s most compelling conflict.

The closing attack also gave Nick Aldis more depth than the typical authority figure. He did not reverse his decision when threatened, and GUNTHER’s assault created consequences that should extend beyond a fine, suspension or brief backstage argument.

The Bloodline material continued to work because Jacob Fatu remains emotionally conflicted. He was willing to attack Royce Keys to defend the family, yet he could not complete the chair attack on Solo. That contradiction gives the story more substance than another straightforward battle over control.

Jade Cargill’s attack on Alexa Bliss created a stronger personal issue with Charlotte Flair, while Baron Corbin’s return provided a legitimate surprise. Corbin’s direction will depend entirely on whether WWE gives him a convincing motivation for targeting Trick and Carmelo.

Last night moved WWE significantly closer to SummerSlam and finally gave Saturday Night’s Main Event a match with true marquee value. It was uneven as a wrestling broadcast, but its biggest angles carried weight and left SmackDown with several consequential stories to develop.

Overall Grade: B

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