CM Punk and Cody Rhodes ignite rivalry ahead of SummerSlam

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 19: CM Punk and Cody Rhodes speak onstage during WWE Summer Slam Kickoff at Fanatics Fest NYC 2026 at Jacob Javits Center on July 19, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Fanatics) | Getty Images for Fanatics The criticism of a lack of heat to the CM Punk vs. Cody Rhodes story is a legitimate one, but WWE is addressing it by simply letting the story play out. The two have been playing nice for some time now, all with the understanding that they, as two of the top stars in not just the company but the industry, couldn’t avoid each other forever. Eventually, they would have to throw hands, probably over a championship, and both invited as much. Well, that time is here now that Punk defeated Sami Zayn to win the WWE championship Zayn won off Rhodes. They cleared away Zayn — and GUNTHER — at Saturday Night’s Main Event to ensure they’ll work a singles match at SummerSlam, and then added some punch to the program by continuing to tease out tension between the two in the form of some accidental physical contact from both sides. That played out on TV. What came next was a backstage confrontation that aired only on social media. Now, they’ve taken it to the stage, right on WWE’s YouTube for the SummerSlam Kickoff event. It’s fair to say tensions have boiled over: Punk is doing the thing where he’s making like Rhodes is making a mountain out of a molehill, despite his history. Rhodes is trying to remain true to himself while acknowledging that history and questioning just how legitimate Punk’s intentions actually are. Cody is the true blue babyface here, and Punk is the guy who is hard to get along with who will definitely start shit with everyone, including and maybe especially with those close to him. Hence all this. What I like here is they are starting to actually lean into all this, with Rhodes outright saying what he’s so clearly been holding back and Punk being willing to start disrespecting him straight up to his face. This is headed in the right direction. Agreed?

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Tensions between good friends and upcoming opponents Cody Rhodes and CM Punk heat up at the 2026 WWE SummerSlam kickoff event.