As fans await CM Punk’s return to WWE, the company has reportedly selected him for one of the main event matches of SummerSlam 2026.
There is speculation that CM Punk will return to WWE during tonight’s episode Raw in Rosemont, Illinois, just outside his hometown of Chicago. He last appeared in the April 20 edition RawTeasing a match with Cody Rhodes after losing the World Heavyweight Championship to Roman Reigns at SummerSlam.
But I am saying Wrestling Observer Radio (h/t wrestlinginc.com), Dave Meltzer reported that CM Punk would face Rhodes at SummerSlam 2026 during the weekend of August 1–2. Meltzer stated that one of two main events would take place during the Rhodes vs. Punk event:
Meltzer explained, “Not only was it planned to be a SummerSlam match, but it was also supposed to be the headline of a night.”
Rhodes lost his WWE Championship to Sami Zayn at Night of Champions. The American Nightmare gets his rematch Raw Tonight, so a Rhodes victory would likely mean a world title match with Punk at SummerSlam.
CM Punk vs. Cody Rhodes would provide an excellent SummerSlam 2026 card
(Photo by Melina Pizano WWE via Getty Images)
There are three confirmed matches on the SummerSlam 2026 card so far: Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship, Brock Lesnar vs. Oba Femi for the Women’s World Championship, and Liv Morgan vs. Iyo Sky.
This is a strong main event card for starters, but a dream match between Rhodes and Punk will only increase the hype for SummerSlam 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
