WWE SmackDown Results & Winners (July 24, 2026) - Cody Rhodes & CM Punk face off; Gunther & Nick Aldis contract signing explodes; Finn Bálor qualifies for WWE Title No. 1 Contender's Match; SummerSlam build continues & more
(Courtesy : WWE)
Gunther powerbombs Nick Aldis through a table, Nikki Bella returns & CM Punk delivers a chilling message to Cody Rhodes on WWE SmackDown
With just over a week to go before SummerSlam, WWE touched down at the Oakland Arena in Oakland, California, for the July 24 edition of Friday Night SmackDown.
The show was headlined by a tense face-to-face between WWE Undisputed Champion CM Punk and challenger Cody Rhodes, while Gunther and Nick Aldis officially signed the contract for their SummerSlam showdown, a signing that ended brutally. Elsewhere, two more names punched their tickets to the Interim WWE Women’s Championship Ladder Match, and Sami Zayn was handed a new path back into the title picture.
Continue reading to get the full summary, match-by-match recap, biggest highlights, shocking moments, results, and winners list from this Friday’s 7/24 episode of WWE SmackDown.
WWE SmackDown Results & Winners
- Adam Pearce hosted the contract signing between Gunther and Nick Aldis for their SummerSlam match. As part of the terms, Aldis agreed to relinquish his position as SmackDown General Manager, with Pearce taking over the role, and WWE was cleared of any responsibility for what happens to Aldis in the match.
- Gunther told Aldis he was jealous of everything Gunther had achieved that Aldis never could as a WWE Superstar, and vowed to add Aldis to his list of retired legends, which includes John Cena, Goldberg, and AJ Styles.
- Aldis fired back that Gunther kept repeating himself because he did not truly believe it, and reminded him he has nothing left to lose. The two brawled until Gunther delivered a low blow and powerbombed Aldis through the table.
- Sami Zayn vented backstage about being wronged since winning and then losing the WWE Championship, demanding Pearce add him to the SummerSlam title match. Pearce refused, instead booking Zayn to face the winner of tonight’s Fatal Four-Way between Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Royce Keys, and Trick Williams, with the winner of that match earning a shot at becoming number one contender for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
- Brie Bella (w/ Paige) defeated Lainey Reid (w/ Fallon Henley & Jacy Jayne) via pinfall.
- After the match, Fatal Influence jumped Brie and Paige, but Nikki Bella made a surprise return to make the save. The Bellas were subsequently announced for a match against Fatal Influence at SummerSlam.
- Backstage, Finn Balor told Cathy Kelley about clawing for ten years to get back into title contention before Gunther interrupted, claiming he was next in line.
- Solo Sikoa and LA Knight spoke with Royce Keys ahead of his match later in the show.
- Chelsea Green and Tiffany Stratton had a backstage conversation before Blake Monroe interrupted, telling Stratton she has her sights set on the Women’s United States Championship.
- Chelsea Green defeated Kiana James via pinfall to qualify for the Interim WWE Women’s Championship Ladder Match at SummerSlam.
- Damian Priest told Cody Rhodes backstage that the locker room is tired of the same faces occupying the top of the card, and vowed to come for whatever Rhodes or CM Punk are holding. Rhodes said he respected the mindset and wished him luck.
- Cody Rhodes called out CM Punk for a face-to-face. After an accidental mic drop led to tension, both men spoke candidly, with Rhodes admitting he respects Punk but does not like him, and that Punk is the one opponent who makes him sweat. Punk responded that Rhodes cannot handle fighting someone he considers a friend, and promised to break his heart at SummerSlam. Rhodes had Punk’s entrance music cut off, telling him his own theme will be the one Punk hears after losing.
- Charlotte Flair defeated Nia Jax via disqualification, after interference from Jade Cargill, to also qualify for the Interim WWE Women’s Championship Ladder Match at SummerSlam.
- Finn Balor defeated Damian Priest, Royce Keys, and Trick Williams in a Fatal Four-Way match with the Coup de Grace on Priest. Jacob Fatu interfered to take out Keys, while The Usos, Solo Sikoa, and LA Knight brawled at ringside during the match. Balor earned the right to face Sami Zayn at SummerSlam for a chance to become number one contender for the WWE Undisputed Championship.
- After SmackDown went off the air, Baron Corbin attacked Trick Williams, laying him out and challenging him to a United States Championship match at SummerSlam.
WWE SmackDown 7/24 Results
- Brie Bella defeated Lainey Reid
- Interim Women’s Championship Ladder Match Qualifiers:
- Chelsea Green defeated Kiana James
- Charlotte Flair defeated Nia Jax via DQ
- Nikki Bella returns, makes the save for Brie Bella and Paige against Fatal Influence
- Gunther and Nick Aldis sign their SummerSlam contract; Gunther powerbombs Aldis through a table
- Finn Balor defeated Damian Priest, Royce Keys, and Trick Williams in a Fatal Four-Way match
What happened between Cody Rhodes and CM Punk on SmackDown?
The two had a tense face-to-face ahead of their WWE Undisputed Championship match at SummerSlam, with Rhodes admitting Punk is the only opponent who makes him sweat, and Punk telling Rhodes he turns people he loves into enemies to protect himself.
What is the stipulation for Gunther vs Nick Aldis at SummerSlam?
As part of the contract signing, Aldis relinquished his role as SmackDown General Manager to compete, with Adam Pearce taking over GM duties, and WWE assuming no responsibility for what happens to Aldis in the match.
Who will Sami Zayn face for a shot at the WWE Championship picture?
Zayn will face the winner of the Fatal Four-Way between Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Royce Keys, and Trick Williams, which was won by Balor, for a chance to become number one contender after SummerSlam.
When and where will SummerSlam 2026 take place?
The 39th edition will air as a two-night spectacle on Saturday, August 1, and Sunday, August 2, 2026, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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