League: WWE Sport: Wrestling Country: United States Category: Scores & Results

CM Punk faces Gunther and Sami Zayn ahead of SummerSlam as Ripley vacates title

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 18, 2026, 5:25 AM

Last updated Jul 18, 2026

CM Punk faces Gunther and Sami Zayn ahead of SummerSlam as Ripley vacates title

Summary

During WWE SmackDown in Albany, New York, CM Punk was announced to face Gunther and Sami Zayn in a tag team match at Saturday Night’s Main Event, setting the stage for a potential Fatal 4-Way championship match at SummerSlam. Rhea Ripley vacated the WWE Women’s Championship due to a knee injury, with an interim champion to be crowned at the upcoming event. Jade Cargill and Tiffany Stratton earned spots in the Ladder Match for the interim title, with significant actions building tension between various competitors. The main event featured Cody Rhodes attacking Gunther before a brawl erupted among the four competitors going into the next show.

Source Links

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By the Numbers

•Adam Pearce filled in for Nick Aldis on SmackDown.
•CM Punk teams with Cody Rhodes against Gunther and Sami Zayn.
•Rhea Ripley vacates title due to a knee injury.
•An interim women’s champion will be crowned at SummerSlam.
•Cody Rhodes attacked Gunther, sparking a brawl before the main event.

Latest Updates

5:25 AMYahoo Sports — WWE SmackDown Recap: CM Punk Receives Bad News, Rhea Ripley Vacates Title

What they're saying

"
With general manager Nick Aldis out of action after being choked out and assaulted by Gunther last week, RAW general manager Adam Pearce filled in as the SmackDown showrunner tonight.Just as he does on RAW, Pearce added a few impromptu matches between feuding superstars. Plus, he revealed a major stipulation for the tag team match involving WWE Champion CM […] The post WWE SmackDown Recap: CM Punk Receives Bad News, Rhea Ripley Vacates Title appeared first on HEAVY.
— Yahoo Sports

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