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BREAKING: CM Punk Involved In Backstage Altercation With Top WWE Star After SNME

By Monika Thapa • Published Jul 19, 2026 07:57 EDT
CM Punk dropped a pipebomb on WWE RAW (Image via X/@WWE.com)
CM Punk dropped a pipebomb on WWE RAW (Image via X/@WWE.com)

CM Punk got involved in a backstage altercation with Cody Rhodes after WWE SNME.

The Second City Saint teamed up with The American Nightmare to face Sami Zayn and Gunther in a tag team match in the main event of Saturday Night’s Main Event on July 18.

Rhodes and Punk won the match with a little help from SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis, who has been feuding with Gunther for several weeks.

Following their victory, CM Punk and Cody Rhodes celebrated in the ring. Rhodes handed Punk the Undisputed WWE Championship, and as Punk was putting the title over his shoulder, he accidentally hit Rhodes in the eye with the belt.

Later backstage, CM Punk was being interviewed by Jackie Redmond when Cody Rhodes interrupted them. Rhodes confronted Punk, asking whether hitting him in the eye with the championship belt was merely an accident or intentional.

The conversation soon turned heated, and Bobby Roode and Trick Williams had to step in to separate them. Both men were heard exchanging insults, adding more heat to their rivalry ahead of SummerSlam.

Mark Henry Was “Blown Away” After WWE Announced CM Punk Vs Cody Rhodes At SummerSlam

Speaking on Busted Open Radio, WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry stated that he did not expect WWE to book CM Punk vs. Cody Rhodes at this year’s SummerSlam.

He said he had expected WWE to save the match for next year’s SummerSlam, WrestleMania, or the Royal Rumble, given that they are two of the biggest names in the business.

Cody also said ‘I don’t know when,’ then Punk – without any thought process, without any considering who’s in line for it – said ‘When? Say less.’ That match was made right then.”

I was blown away, because I did think, just like Cody did, that if they ever had a situation where two dominant personalities and talents like those two guys, that the match would end up probably at WrestleMania.

It would probably be the headliner for Royal Rumble. It would probably be the headlining match for SummerSlam; I was thinking next year’s SummerSlam, but hey, there’s no time like the present.”

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