WWE SmackDown on July 24, 2026, took place at Oakland Arena in Oakland, Calif., and featured a four-way match between Finn Balor, Royce Keys, Damian Preist and Trick Williams.
With SummerSlam rapidly approaching, this week's show saw the formation of a few matches to fill out the big two-day event. After a dreadful episode of Raw on Monday, the Friday show actually brought the heat this week. It was about as good a show as one could ask for in a show that didn't have a title match – and actually the first good episode of SmackDown in several weeks.
Here’s the top takeaways from this week’s show:
Nick Aldis signs away GM responsibilities
Kicking off the show was a contract signing with SmackDown GM Nick Aldis and Gunther for their match at SummerSlam. Raw GM Adam Pearce oversaw the signing and first
warned Aldis that if he were to sign the contract, he would relinquish his GM capabilities until SummerSlam is over.
Aldis didn't hesitate to accept those terms, as Gunther had obviously struck a chord with his recent actions. The two went back and forth on the mic for a bit, with Aldis proving he was willing to live with whatever outcome SummerSlam brings as long as he gets his hands on Gunther in a match. Naturally, things broke down, and Gunther put Aldis through a table to end the segment.
Not waiting for SummerSlam...@Gunther_AUT has put @RealNickAldis through a table!! 😱 pic.twitter.com/UyHLHK7Gav
— WWE (@WWE) July 25, 2026
This was a strong segment for this storyline. Gunther has repeatedly gotten the upperhand on Aldis, which historically has meant that won't be the case when they lock horns at SummerSlam. However, in this case, it would be ideal for Gunther's character to walk right through Aldis, considering the careers he's ended recently. Unless Aldis gets dirty, there's no reason he should win at SummerSlam.
Nikki Bella returns
Brie Bella took on Lainey Reid in a singles match, with Paige by Bella's side, and Jacy Jayne and Fallon Henley in Reid's corner. Bella won this, but immediately after the bell, Fatal Influence attacked. Then Nikki Bella's music filled the speakers, signaling her big return since being injured just before WrestleMania. The Bellas and Paige cleared the ring, and then Nikki announced a 6-woman tag match to take place at Summer Slam.
NIKKI BELLA is BACK!!!
— WWE (@WWE) July 25, 2026
The odds are even and we got ourselves a Six-Woman Tag Team Match set for #SummerSlam! 🙌@NikkiAndBrie | @Saraya pic.twitter.com/6YMujDnuco
The Bella Twins are back together, and that probably means WWE will attempt to run back what was supposed to be a tag title reign for them, even though Brie and Paige just dropped the titles to Fatal Influence. It also feels like this rivalry will be dragged out for a while, with the potential of Paige and Jayne having singles matches while the tag rivalry unfolds.
Women's interim championship ladder qualifiers
There were two matches on this week's show to qualify for the women's interim championship ladder match.
- Chelsea Green def. Kiana James
- Charlotte Flair def. Nia Jax
Green and Flair join the field that includes Jade Cargill and Tiffany Stratton. There is one more slot remaining.
It must be stated that the idea of an interim championship in WWE is ridiculous. What's worse than that? Having qualifying matches for an interim title match. Just make it for the undisputed title and be done with it! Let the winner have their big moment. It's not hard for Rhea Ripley to come back with a vengeance when she's healthy. We're going to get a banger of a ladder match, but the winner will be called interim champion, lessening the moment. Such a shame.
Cody Rhodes, CM Punk: Friendly foes or just foes?
Cody Rhodes and CM Punk met in the middle of the ring to talk some things out. Rhodes set the tone for the segment by dropping the mic Punk reached out to grab, as a little subtle payback for the cheeky belt slap Punk gave Rhodes at Saturday Night's Main Event.
Punk took exception, questioning if Rhodes was still keeping this rivalry friendly. Rhodes said everyone has heard him say he respects and loves Punk, but hasn't heard him say that he doesn't like him. Rhodes said he was inspired by Punk's pipe bomb promo, leading him to "drop a nuke on the industry." However, he always heard from fans they wished it was Punk doing what he did when he left WWE.
"For this story to have the proper ending...I HAVE to beat you at SummerSlam."
— WWE (@WWE) July 25, 2026
The gloves are off, @CodyRhodes isn't holding back! 😤 🔥 pic.twitter.com/rKMhsMKmog
In response, Punk appreciated what Rhodes did outside of WWE, but also called BS, saying Rhodes simply can't handle the weight of fighting a friend for the title. Punk vowed to break Rhodes' heart at SummerSlam by beating him. We even got a "Dusty's kid" line from Punk. Despite the verbal jabs, no punches were thrown here.
"At SummerSlam, I'm gonna break your heart."@CMPunk is not mincing words, his story has no room for @CodyRhodes... 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/ES1RBTHBWS
— WWE (@WWE) July 25, 2026
This was a solid promo battle. Executing a friendly rivalry can be difficult, and this one has been, but Punk and Rhodes have been doing a better job of generating interest as the weeks have gone on. There's growing fatigue from seeing Punk and Rhodes at the top, and it's not just Damian Priest saying it. If WWE really wanted to spice things up while also changing that sentiment, they would pull the trigger on a Rhodes heel turn. It's been long overdue and would generate nuclear heat, but QB1, and stuff, right?
Finn Balor wins 4-way, gets Sami Zayn at SummerSlam
The main event of this week's show was a 4-way match between Finn Balor, Royce Keys, Damian Preist and Trick Williams. The winner would go on to face Sami Zayn at SummerSlam in a No. 1 contender's match for the WWE title.
This match was firing on all cylinders from the jump, but things quickly kicked into a different gear. In the blink of an eye, The Usos, LA Knight and Solo Sikoa got involved in this match, making for an overbooked mess for a few moments.
Just when it seemed Keys would get the win after hitting his spinebuster finisher on Priest, Jacob Fatu appeared to pull him out of the ring to stop the count. This created an opening for Balor, who got Priest down for the count after hitting a Coup de Grace.
WHAT. A. WIN. @FinnBalor is headed to SummerSlam!!! pic.twitter.com/vg4SHgmtVg
— WWE (@WWE) July 25, 2026
Also, after the show went off the air, Baron Corbin attacked Trick Williams, and got himself a title match at SummerSlam.
EXCLUSIVE: Baron Corbin attacks @_trickwilliams after #SmackDown goes off the air, leading to Williams challenging Corbin to a United States Championship Match at #SummerSlam. pic.twitter.com/7lMKaabuIn
— WWE (@WWE) July 25, 2026
As mentioned just above, this match broke down in a crazy manner in a hurry, but it wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Chaotic moments like this are what make weekly shows memorable – if done sporadically. It worked here, and seeing Balor get the win is a solid move, keeping his recent push alive. This was a good ending to the best SmackDown in a while.
This article originally appeared on Wrestling Junkie: WWE SmackDown takeaways: Finn Balor stands tall, SummerSlam matches set
