HUGE CM Punk Match In The Works For SummerSlam 2026 (Yes, THAT One...) (WWE News)
WWE boss Triple H had grand plans for CM Punk on Raw. He has grand plans for him at SummerSlam too!
PWInsider is reporting that CM Punk vs. Cody Rhodes is all but confirmed for this year's SummerSlam 2026 PLE over 1-2 August in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The former made a blockbuster return on Monday's episode of Raw after approx 3 months out, replaced Rhodes in a WWE Title clash with short-term champ Sami Zayn, then won the belt.
It was some series of events, and more drama is on the way.
There had been rumours circulating about some bad blood between Punk and WWE, but those were squashed recently ahead of his memorable comeback on the flagship. Now, it seems like the brand new WWE Champ is in line for that once-elusive showdown with Cody, and that feud will steal the stage over on SmackDown heading into the next PLE.
Of course, Gunther's attack kept Rhodes out of the match vs. Sami, so Cody will have to deal with the 'Ring General' again first. Maybe WWE will stick one last grudge bout between the pair on the next Saturday Night's Main Event come 18 July.
If not, then it could easily headline an upcoming edition of SmackDown. Meanwhile, CM will be waiting in the wings as champion. Nobody knows for sure right now what any of this means for Zayn and his own positioning at SummerSlam - will he even have a match across the weekender?
That remains to be seen, but PWInsider remains convinced that Punk vs. Rhodes will join Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins and Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar (Hell In A Cell) as big time attractions on the show(s).