Lineup for WWE SmackDown (August 21, 2026): CM Punk vs Kevin Owens; Cody Rhodes & Randy Orton to appear & more
(Courtesy : WWE)
The build towards SNME continues on SmackDown.
WWE has kicked off the build towards Sunday Night’s Main Event, announcing new matches last week. This time, the schedule has worked in their favor, as there is ample time for storylines and feuds to develop and get fans invested.
Apart from weekly matches, the promotion is also building towards Money in the Bank PLE in addition to SNME. While SNME and MITB are approaching, the focus right now is on tonight’s edition of SmackDown and here is a detailed lineup for the same.
What’s in store for tonight’s WWE SmackDown?
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Live from the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the August 21 edition of Friday Night SmackDown will feature major title showdowns, an in-ring debut, and much more.
Number one contender for the Undisputed title, Kevin Owens is set to battle the reigning Champion CM Punk tonight. Both men have engaged in fiery promo battles that have turned very personal, and fans are expecting a gruelling battle between the two.
Furthermore, Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton are both advertised to appear on the show following last week’s brawl that saw both men at each other’s throats.
On the other hand, the newly crowned WWE Tag Team Champions Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga will defend their titles in a rematch against former Champions, R-Truth and Damian Priest.
Blake Monroe’s in-ring debut on WWE’s main roster is also confirmed for the show after last week’s segment where Giulia confronted her and asked GM Nick Aldis to give her the match against Monroe. The match between Monroe and Giulia is now official for this Friday.
- CM Punk (c) vs Kevin Owens – Undisputed WWE Title match
- Cody Rhodes & Randy Orton to appear
- Tama & Talla Tonga (c) (w/ Haku) vs R-Truth & Damian Priest – WWE Tag Team Titles match
- Giulia vs Blake Monroe
- Oba Femi is advertised for the show
- CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens, Tiffany Stratton, Gunther & Jade Cargill are listed as featured superstars
Returns expected on tonight’s WWE SmackDown
As noted last week, multiple superstars around SummerSlam have returned. Additionally, SmackDown’s transition back to the two-hour format has also meant less TV time for rising stars or less prominent faces, which likely means returns might not be in store for tonight.
That said, Hiromu Takahashi is expected to make his debut tonight alongside Shinsuke Nakamura. Reports have confirmed that Nakamura’s mystery tag partner is former NJPW star, Hiromu Takahashi. A new report has revealed that Nakamura and Takahashi are expected to be positioned as top challengers on the SmackDown brand.
Additionally, Nakamura has been cutting promos on the MFTs (Talla & Tama Tonga), who have now won the WWE Tag Team titles and are set to defend them in a rematch tonight against R-Truth and Damian Priest. This match is likely going to see Takahashi make his debut.
Start time for tonight’s SmackDown in Toronto
- United States, Alaska, Hawaii & Puerto Rico: 08 PM ET, 07 PM CT & 05 PM PT (Friday)
- Canada: 08 PM ET (Friday)
- United Kingdom & Ireland: 1 AM BST (Saturday)
- India: 5:30 AM IST (Saturday)
- Bangladesh: 06 AM BST (Saturday)
- Saudi Arabia: 03 AM AST (Saturday)
- Australia: 10 AM AEST / 11 AM AEDT (Saturday)
- France: 02 AM CET (Saturday)
- Brazil: 09 PM BRT (Friday)
- Mexico: 06 PM CST (Friday)
- Singapore: 08 AM SGT (Saturday)
- China: 08 AM CST (Saturday)
- Nigeria: 01 AM WAT (Saturday)
- South Africa: 02 AM SAST (Saturday)
- Germany: 02 AM CET (Saturday)
- Japan: 09 AM JST (Saturday)
- Italy: 02 AM CET (Saturday)
When and where will WWE SmackDown take place this week?
The August 21 edition of Friday Night SmackDown will air live from the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario.
When and where will the upcoming SNME take place?
The upcoming Sunday Night’s Main Event is scheduled for Sunday, September 6, 2026, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. It will be WWE’s first-ever Sunday Night’s Main Event.
When and where will Money in the Bank 2026 take place?
The 2026 edition of Money in the Bank is set for October 10, 2026, at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.
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Abhijit Singh is a budding sports journalist with over three years of experience in the field, and a photographer capturing stories through his lens since 2018. With a background in philosophy and political science, he brings a thoughtful, analytical edge to his reporting where every word is guided by curiosity and intent. Whether he's capturing the emotion of a moment or unpacking the deeper narratives within the game, Abhijit’s work is rooted in insight and passion. When he’s not covering sports, he’s often exploring new ideas through reading, traveling or just procrastinating.