CM Punk moves to SmackDown and gets the SummerSlam main event against Cody Rhodes

WWE kicked off tonight’s (July 10) episode of SmackDown with Nick Aldis in the ring announcing that he’s been reinstated as SmackDown’s General Manager. He got straight to business by introducing new WWE Champion CM Punk. The fans in Oklahoma absolutely loved CM, who came out with a black eye. Punk said he’s been negotiating with WWE management to move over to SmackDown for over two months, but his surprise championship win over Sami Zayn on Raw this week expedited the process. The Best in the World went on to name all the SmackDown stars he wants to defend his belt against, including Zayn (who was booed), GUNTHER, Finn Balor, Trick Williams, and Royce Keys. There was one obvious star who Punk did not name, and of course he’s the one who interrupted the promo. Sami Zayn… Gunther… Finn Balor… Royce Keys… Damian Priest… Trick Williams… THE UNDISPUTED WWE CHAMP is ready for you! 👀 pic.twitter.com/oEzzhPvNnK — WWE (@WWE) July 11, 2026 Cody Rhodes confronted Punk and recalled how thi