Penta wins No. 1 Contender's Tournament on Raw; CM Punk offers title shot

Cageside Seats3 min read • Latest: Aug 29, 2026, 2:19 AM

Last updated Aug 29, 2026

Penta wins No. 1 Contender's Tournament on Raw; CM Punk offers title shot
Summary

WWE taped episodes of Monday Night Raw and Friday Night SmackDown in Cleveland on August 28, 2026. Penta secured a title opportunity against Roman Reigns by winning the No. 1 Contender's Tournament. Raquel Rodriguez retained her women's Intercontinental Championship against Sol Ruca with interference from Lyra Valkyria. In a tag team match, Joe Hendry returned but lost alongside Je’Von Evans to Dominik Mysterio and JD McDonagh. On SmackDown, CM Punk challenged Johnny Gargano for a WWE Championship match, which Gargano accepted. Kevin Owens and GUNTHER had tensions with Sami Zayn following recent events in a contender match. These developments set the stage for upcoming matches scheduled for September 11.

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Status Watch
  • Penta defeats Rey Fenix to become No. 1 contender for Roman Reigns.
  • Raquel Rodriguez retains women's Intercontinental title on Raw.
  • CM Punk challenges Johnny Gargano to a WWE Championship match.
  • Kevin Owens, GUNTHER, and Finn Balor confront Sami Zayn.
  • Chelsea Green set to defend her title against Nia Jax on September 11.
Latest Updates
  • 2:19 AMCageside SeatsRaw & SmackDown spoilers from Cleveland: Tournament winner, WWE title defense, more!
What they're saying
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DES MOINES, IOWA - AUGUST 03: Roman Reigns looks on during Monday Night RAW at Casey's Center on August 3, 2026 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Kevin Sebatis/WWE via Getty Images) | WWE via Getty Images WWE taped episodes of Monday Night Raw and Friday Night SmackDown in Cleveland this evening, and this is what we’ve been able to cobble together from social media and various other places: Raw The Usos brawl with Royce Keys & OTM to start the show, with Jacob Fatu running in to force Keys & his duo to retreat. Raquel Rodriguez def. Sol Ruca to retain the women’s Intercontinental championship thanks to Lyra Valkyria’s interference. Dragon Lee def. Ethan Page in a match to determine who would face Chad Gable in Mexico City for the Intercontinental title. Joe Hendry made his return, alongside Je’Von Evans in a tag team match against Dominik Mysterio & JD McDonagh. The Judgment Day won with Mysterio pinning Hendry. Roman Reigns was back for a confrontation with LA Knight but a scene unfolding in the parking lot is shown where Royce Keys and OTM where they kidnap The Usos before Jacob Fatu can catch up to them. Penta def. Rey Fenix in the final of the No. 1 Contender’s Tournament to book a match against Reigns, who shows up for a staredown. Penta does the CERO MIEDO gimmick right in front of him as they end the show. SmackDown Kevin Owens, GUNTHER, and Finn Balor all wanted Sami Zayn for what he did in the number one contender’s match this week. CM Punk offered up a WWE championship match to Johnny Gargano, and that’s what finally got him to stand up from his stupor. He accepted and they booked the match for later in the show. Charlotte Flair & Tatum Paxley def. Fatal Influence in tag team action but Jade Cargill & B-Fab & Michin showed up to attack after the fact. Paige vs. Nikki Bella was made in a backstage segment, with the two scheduled to square up on the Sept. 11 episode. Danhausen called GUNTHER “Gooner” and WWE is playing with fire with that one. Chelsea Green is medically cleared now, and that led to Nia Jax to interrupt her segment. She would get a match against Tiffany Stratton, win, and it was announced she will challenge Green for the title on the Sept. 11 show. Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes sit down with Corey Graves for an interview before their match at Sunday Night’s Main Event. Bakusai, the team name for Kyoki & Shinsuke Nakamura, defeated The Miz & Kit Wilson, with the MFTs coming out to confront them after the fact. Blake Monroe vs. Giulia never started, once again. CM Punk defeated Johnny Gargano in the main event, with the latter using his “Rebel Heart” music. Balor, Owens, and GUNTHER were all involved in some capacity but the time all was said and done, Punk challenged Sami Zayn to a title match on the Sept. 11 show. It looks like that is official too. Thoughts on both shows?

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