Top storylines to watch on WWE SmackDown (August 21, 2026) - CM Punk vs Kevin Owens; Blake Monroe's in-ring debut & more
(Courtesy : WWE)
Major storylines are brewing before SNME on SmackDown.
This Friday’s edition of WWE SmackDown will air live from the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens, Tiffany Stratton, Gunther & Jade Cargill are listed as featured superstars for the August 21 show.
Among other matches and segments, the show features a marquee showdown where Undisputed Champion CM Punk defends the title against the number one contender Kevin Owens.
With Atlanta’s Sunday Night’s Main Event approaching, let us take a look at the top four storylines that are likely to unravel on this week’s WWE SmackDown.
4. Shinsuke Nakamura’s mystery tag partner
Catch Every Update, Anytime, Anywhere
Last week, Shinsuke Nakamura, in a vignette, congratulated the MFTs on becoming the new WWE Tag Team Champions and issued them a stern warning. The camera then teased a mystery figure standing in the silhouette behind Nakamura.
After the second vignette, a report said Nakamura’s tag team partner will be former New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) star, Hiromu Takahashi. Fans are now waiting to see how the storyline progresses and what the new duo will bring to SmackDown, particularly in their expected showdown with the MFTs.
3. Blake Monroe’s in-ring debut
In a digital exclusive segment, GM Nick Aldis informed Blake Monroe that a lot of women have complained about Monroe’s sneak attacks. Aldis then proposed the idea of Monroe having a one-on-one match with one of those women.
Monroe proposed a match between her and Chelsea Green for the WWE Women’s title. However, Giulia, who Monroe attacked upon her arrival on SmackDown, arrived, promising to give Monroe a beating in her first match. No date was announced during the segment, but the match is expected for this week.
2. Cody Rhodes-Randy Orton brawl
Last week’s show closed out with Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton brawling like maniacs throughout the arena. A WrestleMania 42 rematch between the two has been announced for Sunday Night’s Main Event next month.
Fans are now waiting to see what transpires this week after the vicious brawl. Additionally, Rhodes was set to face Sami Zayn, with the stipulation that if Sami wins, he will earn a WWE Championship match against the winner of CM Punk vs Kevin Owen. However, due to the brawl, the match never took place, and Sami is likely going to have something to say to Rhodes for that.
1. CM Punk vs Kevin Owens
In the lead-up to their title showdown, a fiery war of words transpired last week between Undisputed Champion CM Punk and the number one contender Kevin Owens.
The two are now set to lace up their boots for the August 21 show. Punk will defend the Undisputed title for the second time against Owens in his hometown this Friday. It will be intriguing to see who walks out with the title this Friday and what it means for the division moving forward.
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, Canada.
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.