By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Smackdown (Episode 1,405)
Oakland, California, at Oakland Arena
Aired live July 24, 2026, on USA Network and streamed internationally on Netflix
[Hour One] Joe Tessitore opened the show while shots aired of the Bay Area. Tessitore narrated backstage/arrival shots of Cody Rhodes, WWE Champion CM Punk, Brie Bella and Paige, and Fatal Influence’s Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley, and Lainey Reid… Wade Barrett was on color commentary…
Raw General Manager Adam Pearce and Smackdown General Manager Nick Aldis were shown in the ring where a table and chairs were set up for a contract signing. Footage aired of the angle at the SummerSlam Kickoff event that included Paul Levesque making Gunther vs. Aldis official.
In the ring, Pearce welcomed fans to Smackdown. Pearce said there were a couple of terms and conditions that needed to be made clear. Pearce introduced Gunther, who made his entrance dressed in jeans and a white T-shirt (maybe he joined the Death Riders).
Pearce announced that he would take over the Smackdown GM duties the moment that Aldis signed the contract. He also said there was a hold harmless agreement included. Aldis said he knew exactly what he was signing, and if that meant relinquishing his executive responsibilities, then so be it.
Gunther said SummerSlam would be the greatest moment of Aldis’s career, whereas it’s all beneath him. Gunther said he was preparing to win the WWE Championship at SummerSlam, and the only reason he was there was because Aldis didn’t know how to do his job. Gunther said Aldis has had an issue with him ever since he arrived on Smackdown.
Gunther said Aldis is jealous of him. He said Aldis is a former NWA World Champion, but he never really made it as a wrestler because he dreamed of being a WWE Superstar. Gunther said he walked into WWE and got it all. He said he got the titles, the records, and is a multimillionaire. Gunther said his watch is worth half of Aldis’s yearly salary. Gunther said Aldis would join John Cena, AJ Styles, and Goldberg as people dumb enough to get in the ring with him. He said he would retire Aldis before it really gets started.
Aldis said Gunther has said all of this before. Aldis said Gunther never thought it would come to this. He said Gunther thought he would cheap-shot him and pay his fine, but it didn’t go that way. Aldis said he saw in Gunther’s eyes that he didn’t want any of this when he punched him at the SummerSlam Kickoff event.
Aldis said Gunther can talk about Cena, Styles, and Goldberg, but he hasn’t had a match in three years. Aldis said he has nothing to lose. “But when I beat you at SummerSlam, you go from the Career Killer to the man who got made a bitch by his boss,” Aldis said.
Gunther grabbed Aldis, who hit him with the mic. Aldis removed his jacket and worked over Gunther with a barrage of punches while Pearce tried to pull him back. Gunther kicked Aldis in the balls and then powerbombed him through the broadcast table. Gunther stood over Aldis and talked smack while referees and producers entered the ring before the show went to the first commercial break… [C]
Powell’s POV: A strong angle with strong mic work from both wrestlers. I’m looking forward to Gunther vs. Aldis as much as anything on the SummerSlam card. It’s worth pointing out that while Gunther spoke about retiring Aldis like Cena, Styles, and Goldberg, there was no mention of Aldis actually putting his career on the line.
Cathy Kelley stood in front of the trainer’s room and tried to give an update on Nick Aldis, but Sami Zayn interrupted her and said he had something to get off his chest. Zayn vented about the way he lost the WWE Championship. He called CM Punk Golden Boy No. 2 and said now everyone has the Punk vs. Cody Rhodes match they want.
Adam Pearce entered the area and was about to enter the trainer’s room, but Zayn stopped him. Zayn told Pearce to make it right by adding him to the WWE Championship match. Zayn pushed for a Triple Threat, but Pearce told him that the match would be Punk vs. Cody.
Pearce said there would be a four-way tonight with Damian Priest vs. Trick Williams vs. Royce Keys vs. Finn Balor. Pearce said the winner of the match will face Zayn in a No. 1 contender’s match at SummerSlam. Zayn complained that the four wrestlers merely had to be mentioned by CM Punk to get their opportunity. He vented about Punk and Cody until Pearce told him to take it or leave it. Zayn said fine, but no more shenanigans, surprises, or funny business. Pearce entered the trainer’s room. Zayn pounded his fist on the door…
Brie Bella was in the ring with Paige on the apron when ring announcer Mark Nash introduced her. Fatal Influence’s Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley, and Lainey Reid spoke while they made their entrance. Jayne said all three of them should have gold, but she’s not even in the ladder match at SummerSlam. Jayne said the Women’s U.S. Championship will be hers in due time…
1. Brie Bella (w/Paige) vs. Lainey Reid (w/Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley). Reid was in offensive control going into an early break. [C]
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