WWE SmackDown on July 31, 2026, took place at Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisc., and featured a final showdown with CM Punk and Cody Rhodes.
The Friday go-home show for SummerSlam was a little all over the place as the i's were dotted and the t's were crossed before the PLE. There were two title matches on the show, both featuring AAA championships. There were promos and brawls all over the place to tease the two-day weekend event in Minnesota.
Here’s the top takeaways from this week’s show:
Nick Aldis gets his hands on Gunther
The opening segment of the show was a promo battle between Finn Bálor and Sami Zayn. After they got in a few words on the mic, Gunther attacked them both from behind. Adam Pearce appeared at the entryway with security, and Gunther made his way to the GM. After arguing
with him, Nick Aldis burst through to get his paws on Gunther.
This is getting GOOD! 🔥@RealNickAldis WILL NOT back down from @Gunther_AUT! pic.twitter.com/LMYDbcGKkO
— WWE (@WWE) August 1, 2026
The brawl entered the ring, where Aldis slapped on a Texas Cloverleaf until officials broke it up. The two attempted to fight through security, but were eventually restrained and kept separated.
This is what we needed to see from Aldis before his match at SummerSlam. The audience has never seen him perform any physical moves in a WWE ring, but that has now changed. This was a nice little teaser brawl that was more necessary than any other match or rivalry heading into the PLE.
Rey Fenix retains AAA title
Rey Fenix put his AAA Cruiserweight Championship on the line against JD McDonagh, who of course, had Dominik Mysterio by his side.
This was easily the best match of the night – not that there were a lot of options, but it would have probably been the case with more matches anyway. Mysterio eventually got involved and was banished from ringside. As he was protesting his way up the aisle, Danhausen appeared, but was cut off from cursing Mysterio because he got socked in the jaw. Then the Mini-hausens appeared, taking down Mysterio. Meanwhile in the ring, Fenix hit a Mexican Muscle Buster to retain his title.
#ANDSTILL
— WWE (@WWE) August 1, 2026
An impressive Title defense from @ReyFenixMx! pic.twitter.com/ap9UimSPa9
Lash Legend wins final ladder match qualifier
There was one spot remaining for the women’s ladder match for the interim WWE title. It was Lash Legend vs. Giulia, and it didn’t last long.
Legend made quick work of Giulia, hitting her with the Lash Extension in literally two minutes. I timed it. It was two minutes on the dot. Even though there was no shortage of action in those two minutes, it’s crazy to see Giulia lose that quickly. The reaction online echoes that sentiment.
LASH has booked her SPOT! 💅@lashlegendwwe will compete in the Interim WWE Women's Title Ladder Match at #SummerSlam! pic.twitter.com/IzytUr5AjP
— WWE (@WWE) August 1, 2026
That anger should not be directed at Legend, who was made to look strong here, and it fits with her character as a powerhouse. Fans are simply frustrated that Giulia hasn't been treated well by creative. She seems stuck in the mud, spinning her wheels with no end in sight.
Legend fills out the field for the interim ladder match at SummerSlam, joining Charlotte Flair, Jade Cargill, Chelsea Green and Tiffany Stratton. Don’t think I wasn’t going to end this takeaway without once again mentioning how crazy it is that we’re having qualifying matches for an interim title match. All of this is a mess. Once again, the match should be for the undisputed title. There’s no reason to have an interim belt in WWE, virtually ever.
Haku returns after tag title vs. tag title match
A genuinely surprising face showed up during this episode. First, during a vignette with Tama and Talla Tonga as they talked about their next moves, WWE legend Haku, and real-life father of both men, entered the frame to provide paternal motivation. But that wasn’t the last we’d see him.
After the AAA tag title vs. WWE tag title match between The War Raiders and the champion team of Damian Priest and R-Truth, which ended with a silly DQ, Tama and Talla joined in on the post-match brawl. After putting both teams on the floor, Haku entered the ring for the power pose as Talla and Tama held both sets of tag titles high.
THIS IS CRAZY 🤯
— WWE (@WWE) August 1, 2026
Talla Tonga and Tama Tonga are WRECKING both Damian Priest and R-Truth and The War Raiders! pic.twitter.com/Ar4RaIS3bT
As a fan of Haku’s work during his prime, seeing him randomly pop up on an episode of SmackDown is a pleasant surprise – and it seems that he’ll be around to help guide his sons to tag title dominance. If this is the direction, it’s a brilliant one. It’s a move that gives Tama and Talla more relevance, as they were in jeopardy of fading into the background after splintering away from Solo Sikoa. Kudos to whoever came up with this idea, because now everyone seems to be in better places.
CM Punk, Cody Rhodes brawl it out
The final segment of this week's show was a promo battle with CM Punk and Cody Rhodes. It started off hot when Punk cut off Rhodes' entrance right before the "Whoa!"
OPE 😳@cmpunk | @codyrhodes pic.twitter.com/xZpUcOwCok
— WWE (@WWE) August 1, 2026
They both marched to the ring and got right into it on the mic. After going back and forth about what they’re willing to do for the WWE title, and what it could mean for their friendship, things got physical. Rhodes said he already asked Green Bay 'What do you want to talk about?' He then wanted to know what Punk was willing to do about it on the spot. Punk removed his title, jacket, and bracelet, and dared Rhodes to swing. Rhodes took off his track jacket and let the fists fly. Security quickly intervened, but they two fought through them until the show faded to black.
So much for friends... 😲@CodyRhodes and @CMPunk are BEATING THE HELL out of each other! pic.twitter.com/lnNh36wF6w
— WWE (@WWE) August 1, 2026
There's not much to takeaway from this other than the main event of Night 1 traded blows until the show went off the air.
This article originally appeared on Wrestling Junkie: WWE SmackDown takeaways: Haku returns, CM Punk and Cody Rhodes brawl
