By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Smackdown (Episode 1,404)
Albany, New York, at MVP Arena
Aired live July 17, 2026, on USA Network and streamed internationally on Netflix
[Hour One] Highlights from last week’s episode opened the show… Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett were on commentary…
Gunther made his entrance dressed in a suit. Once in the ring, Gunther said he wanted to address the elephant in the room. Gunther said he’s been a professional throughout his career, but he’s been mistreated ever since he arrived on Smackdown. Gunther blamed Smackdown General Manager Nick Aldis for making things personal. Gunther took issue with having to teach with Sami Zayn, adding that Zayn is beneath him.
“Enough, enough, enough,” Raw General Manager Adam Peare said while walking to the ring. Pearce took issue with Gunther’s treatment of Aldis. Pearce said that if this had happened on Raw, he would have fired Gunther. Pearce said Aldi petitioned to make sure Gunther was not fired.
Pearce said Gunther should have waited last week, and he would have found out about the stipulation, but he attacked Aldis instead. Pearce announced that if Gunther and Zayn beat CM Punk and Cody Rhodes, they will be added to the WWE Championship match at SummerSlam, making it a four-way.
Cody Rhodes made his entrance and attacked Cody once he was inside the ring. Cody threw a punch that knocked Gunther through the ropes to the floor. Cody got a mic and said Gunther was handed another stipulation. Cody recalled Gunther kicking his head into a car on a recent Raw show, and said he should have known that he would kick his ass at first sight. Cody called for a match with Gunther, which Pearce made official…
Tessitore and Barrett spoke from their broadcast table and set up a video package. Adam Pearce announced that Rhea Ripley is dealing with a torn meniscus and will not be able to compete at SummerSlam. Pearce announced there will be five qualifying matches on Smackdown over the next two weeks. The winners will earn a spot in a ladder match at SummerSlam that will crown the Interim WWE Women’s Champion….
Tessitore narrated various backstage/arrival shots of Jade Cargill with B-Fab and Michin, Nia Jax and Lash Legend, Women’s U.S. Champion Tiffany Stratton, and the Fatal Influence trio. Graphics listed Jade Cargill vs. Nia Jax and Tiffany Stratton vs. Jacy Jayne in ladder match qualifiers…
Finn Balor made his entrance for the opening match before the first commercial break… [C]
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