Aldis Returns, SummerSlam Beckons
Nick Aldis Returns as SmackDown GM, Punk vs. Rhodes Undisputed Title Match Set for SummerSlam
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Key Points
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Gunther confronted Nick Aldis backstage at Night of Champions, blaming him for Sami Zayn’s addition to the championship match; the exchange turned physical before WWE officials intervened, and Aldis later said he accepted full responsibility for the incident.
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SummerSlam 2026 is set for August 1–2 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, with CM Punk defending the Undisputed WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes; the card also features Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins, Liv Morgan vs. IYO SKY, and Brock Lesnar vs. Oba Femi III in Hell in a Cell.
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There has been talk of a Nick Aldis vs. Gunther match at SummerSlam 2026, though nothing has been officially confirmed yet.
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Adam Pearce served as SmackDown’s general manager during Aldis’ administrative leave prior to his reinstatement.
Nick Aldis is back in charge of SmackDown. The general manager returned to WWE's blue brand after being placed on administrative leave following a backstage altercation with Gunther at Night of Champions. In his first act back, Aldis introduced CM Punk as the new Undisputed WWE Champion and announced the blockbuster SummerSlam 2026 main event: Punk vs. Cody Rhodes for the title. PWMania confirmed the match was set during SmackDown's opening segment.
SummerSlam 2026 is scheduled for August 1–2 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The card is already stacked. Beyond Punk vs. Rhodes, fans can expect Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins, Liv Morgan vs. IYO SKY, and Brock Lesnar vs. Oba Femi III inside Hell in a Cell.
Gunther's Backstage Attack Triggered Aldis's Leave
The trouble started at Night of Champions. Gunther confronted Aldis backstage, blaming him for adding Sami Zayn to a championship match. The argument turned physical before WWE officials stepped in. Aldis later said he accepted full responsibility for the incident. WWE then placed him on administrative leave and handed SmackDown's GM duties to Adam Pearce.
Pearce held the role while Aldis was away. Now Aldis is back and in control. His reinstatement puts him back on a collision course with Gunther. There has been talk of an Aldis vs. Gunther match at SummerSlam 2026, though WrestleTalk notes nothing has been officially confirmed yet.
CM Punk's Title Reign Becomes SmackDown's Center of Gravity
Punk's arrival as Undisputed WWE Champion has reshaped SmackDown's landscape. Aldis introduced him on the show's opening segment, signaling that the title would be front and center. Punk made clear that a crowded field of challengers is already lining up. The first confirmed challenger is Cody Rhodes, who held the Undisputed title before losing it to Punk.
WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry said he was blown away by the Punk vs. Rhodes announcement. WrestleTalk reported Henry expressed surprise at how quickly the match was booked for SummerSlam. The matchup carries real weight — Rhodes lost the title to Punk, making this a direct rematch with major stakes.
Punk and Rhodes to Share a Tag Team Match Before SummerSlam
Before they clash for the title, Punk and Rhodes will team up. Aldis announced the pair will tag together at Saturday Night's Main Event. The match came together after Gunther made demands that pushed Aldis to book the unlikely partnership. Gerweck confirmed the tag match announcement.
The storyline puts two rivals in the same corner before their eventual showdown. It is a classic WWE setup — forced to cooperate now, enemies again at SummerSlam. The tension between Punk and Rhodes heading into Minneapolis should only grow from here.
SummerSlam 2026 Card Taking Shape in Minneapolis
The SummerSlam card is building fast. The August 1–2 event at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis already has four confirmed or heavily rumored matches. Punk vs. Rhodes headlines as the Undisputed WWE Championship match. Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins adds another major main-event feel to the card.
Liv Morgan vs. IYO SKY gives the women's division a marquee spot. Brock Lesnar vs. Oba Femi III in Hell in a Cell adds a brutal stipulation match to the lineup. And if the Aldis vs. Gunther match gets confirmed, SummerSlam 2026 could be one of WWE's deepest cards in years.
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