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] Reid had Brie on the ropes and was setting up for a move, but Brie kicked her down. Jayne climbed on the apron and barked at Brie until Paige pulled her down. Brie went for a sunset flip on Reid, who sat down on her and held the ropes for leverage until the referee caught her. Brie used her legs to hook Reid into a pin for the win.
Brie Bella beat Lainey Reid in 5:40.
After the match, the Fatal Influence trio attacked Brie and Paige. Nikki Bella ran out and helped her sister and Paige. Nikki hit the Rack Attack 2.0 on Jayne. Nikki got a mic and asked “you three bitches” if they thought they could sneak up from “the minor leagues” and attack her sister. Nikki announced that she would team with Paige to face Fatal Influence at SummerSlam…
Powell’s POV: It’s hard to say much about the match because the majority of it took place during the commercial break. It’s good to see Nikki back from injury, and I’m happy to see Fatal Influence crack the SummerSlam lineup.
Cathy Kelley interviewed Finn Balor, who recalled his first SummerSlam in 2016 being the best and worst night of his career. He said he’s been scratching and clawing while trying to get back the glory of that night. Balor said he’s so close. Gunther interrupted Balor and said he had a great plan, but he’s next in line and intends to take what’s his. Gunther said ten years is a very long time and then walked away… [C]
Tessitore hyped WWE Radio on Sirius/XM…
Royce Keys was warming up backstage when Solo Sikoa entered the picture and fired him up about his match being in front of family and friends in his hometown. Solo said it looked like Keys would be working both nights of SummerSlam. Keys spoke confidently about his match.
LA Knight showed up and hoped that Keys would become No. 1 contender, but he warned him about The Bloodline. Keys said he’s a grown man, and Knight doesn’t have to worry about him. Solo said they were on the same team. He said the issue was with the Bloodline. Solo touted himself, Keys, and Knight before leaving. Knight asked Keys if Solo was for real right now…
Backstage, U.S. Women’s Champion and Chelsea Green spoke about Green’s qualifying match and how they could go to SummerSlam together. Green hoped they could shake it up and she could win the Interim WWE Women’s Championship since Stratton already has a title. Stratton thought “Tiffy Two Titles” would be cut.
Blake Monroe showed up after Green made her exit. Monroe said she actually likes Stratton, but suggested that she should worry less about Green and more about her title… Chelsea Green made her entrance… [C]
2. Chelsea Green vs. Kiana James in a qualifier for the ladder match for the Interim WWE Women’s Championship match at SummerSlam. James was in the ring coming out of the break. A “Chelsea” chant broke out early in the match. She won the match with the Unprettier…
Chelsea Green beat Kiana James in 3:30 to qualify for the ladder match for the Interim WWE Women’s Championship match at SummerSlam.
Powell’s POV: Stratton is no longer acting annoyed by Green and even smiled lovingly while watching her walk away before Monroe showed up. I like James, but I’m happy to see Green qualify for the ladder match. It will be interesting to see how she and Stratton approach the match. Also, WrestleTix listed the venue as being set up for 7,684, with 7,248 tickets distributed. The total number of seats on the map is 17,312. The last time WWE ran the venue, 7,578 tickets were distributed for the February 17, 2024, Smackdown.
A Did You Know? graphic stated that Damian Priest and R-Truth are the longest-reigning champions on Smackdown…
Damian Priest was warming up backstage when R-Truth showed up and said it was good to see him getting ready for the tag team title match. Priest said their title match against the War Raiders was next week. Priest said he was in a four-way. Truth said he didn’t know if that was PG. Priest said it’s a match. Truth was still confused by a singles match being a four-way. Truth asked if Priest was upset because he used his card to buy hot dogs for the Fourth of July. Priest said they were free.
Cody Rhodes showed up and said he heard what CM Punk said last week. Cody said maybe he and Punk would come for the titles. Truth said Cody and Priest are both confused and then walked away. Cody spoke with Priest about possibly being the number one contender, while adding that he would be WWE Champion. Priest said he and the boys are sick of the same people being the face of the brand. Priest said he would drop the WWE Champion regardless of whether it’s Cody or Punk. Cody said it might shock Priest, but he likes that attitude… [C]
The ad with Justin Jefferson hyping the $25 ticket offer aired…
[Hour Two] Tessitore hyped the SummerSlam Takeover event… Footage aired of recent developments involving CM Punk and Cody Rhodes, along with Cody talking about Punk on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon…
Cody Rhodes made his entrance from a promo segment. Cody played to the crowd and got a mixed reaction until he yelled the host city’s name. Cody asked what they wanted to talk about. Cody introduced WWE Champion CM Punk.
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