WWE SmackDown’s go-home show for SummerSlam 2026 took place at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin, setting the stage for the biggest event of the summer. Key storylines heated up as Sami Zayn and Finn Balor engaged in a tense face-off before being attacked by Gunther, who claimed he deserved a world title shot. This confrontation escalated when Nick Aldis emerged to challenge Gunther, leading to a physical showdown that had the crowd rallying behind Aldis. Meanwhile, a major highlight was the much-anticipated clash between WWE Undisputed Champion CM Punk and Cody Rhodes, who squared off in a fiery exchange that ended in a brawl, intensifying their main event rivalry ahead of SummerSlam.

In addition to these personal confrontations, several important matches took place to finalize the SummerSlam card. Lash Legend earned the last spot in the Interim Women’s Championship Ladder Match by quickly defeating Giulia. On the tag team front, Wepa Up retained the WWE Tag Team and AAA Championships by disqualification against the War Raiders after a chaotic brawl, which included appearances by the Tonga family and Haku. Michin and B-Fab defeated Tiffany Stratton and Chelsea Green, setting up an explosive post-match confrontation between Charlotte Flair and Jade Cargill, further adding layers to the ongoing women’s storylines.

Rey Fenix secured a hard-fought victory over JD McDonagh in a fast-paced match for the AAA Cruiserweight Title, showcasing technical prowess and high-flying moves that earned strong crowd approval. Backstage segments also added intrigue, including Trick Williams calling out Baron Corbin while hyping his own pursuit of the WWE Undisputed Championship. In the women’s division, Lash Legend’s win was notable as it confirmed her entry into the ladder match, a key step toward the interim title, signaling the stakes rising for the female superstars at SummerSlam.

SmackDown’s July 31 episode drew 4,566 fans and an average viewership of 1.253 million, continuing a steady upward trend in ratings in the lead-up to SummerSlam. The event succeeded in building excitement for SummerSlam weekend, marked by intense confrontations, critical matches, and storyline developments that promise high drama and memorable moments. With major stars like CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Gunther, and Lash Legend all battling for supremacy, WWE is primed for a blockbuster weekend in Minneapolis.