CM Punk is focused on defending the Undisputed WWE title against Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam 2026. However, another top SmackDown star has already made it clear that he wants the next title shot. On the July 17 episode of SmackDown, Damian Priest confronted Punk during a backstage segment.
After winning the WWE Championship from Sami Zayn, Punk celebrated by inviting several WWE stars to step up on the July 10 episode of SmackDown. He mentioned names like Damian Priest, Trick Williams, and Royce Keys as wrestlers he wanted to face during his title reign.
However, Cody Rhodes interrupted, and by the end of the segment, Nick Aldis made their championship match official for SummerSlam.
Damian Priest sends a message to CM Punk
This week on SmackDown, acting GM Adam Pearce announced a stipulation for the upcoming tag team match at SMNE. If Gunther and Sami Zayn win, they will be added to Punk and Rhodes’ title match at SummerSlam.
During a backstage segment, Punk asked Pearce about the stipulation. Pearce admitted he wasn’t happy about it either but said the decision had already been made.
Their conversation then turned to Gunther, with Punk saying he believed the Ring General wanted to hurt Rhodes before SummerSlam. He then decided to go and have a chat with Rhodes.
Before Punk got far, Damian Priest stopped him. The two greeted each other respectfully before Priest got straight to the point.
“I hope you understand if you’re still champ after SummerSlam, I’m gonna be standing right here waiting for you,” Priest said to Punk.
In return, Punk told Priest that if Priest was still one-half of the WWE Tag Team Champions after SummerSlam, maybe he and Rhodes could team up and challenge Priest for the tag titles instead.
As Punk left, R-Truth suddenly appeared, surprising Priest and ending the serious moment with some comedy.
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