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Police Forced To Intervene As Cody Rhodes & CM Punk Clash Ahead Of WWE SummerSlam

By Ahmed Hamdy • Published Jul 19, 2026 19:58 EDT
CM Punk & Cody Rhodes at WWE SummerSlam Kickoff (Image via YouTube/@WWE)
CM Punk & Cody Rhodes at WWE SummerSlam Kickoff (Image via YouTube/@WWE)

CM Punk and Cody Rhodes had a heated confrontation ahead of WWE SummerSlam, forcing police to intervene.

The Second City Saint is set to defend his Undisputed WWE Championship against The American Nightmare at The Biggest Party of the Summer.

Last night, the two superstars teamed up to beat Sami Zayn and Gunther in a tag team match at Saturday Night’s Main Event. After the match, Punk “accidentally” clipped Rhodes with the title in the face. The American Nightmare later confronted his SummerSlam opponent about it backstage after the show.

CM Punk Shoves Cody Rhodes At WWE SummerSlam Kickoff Show

Tonight, CM Punk and Cody Rhodes had another heated confrontation at the SummerSlam Kickoff Show. The American Nightmare told Punk that he no longer considered him his ‘brother.’

Punk responded, claiming that it wasn’t Rhodes talking, but his ego. He added that the former Undisputed WWE Champion was paranoid after his former friends John Cena and Randy Orton turned on him. The Second City Saint then assured Rhodes that he would not stab him in the back.

While The American Nightmare admitted to having an ego, he claimed that Punk’s mask slipped last night at Saturday Night’s Main Event.

Rhodes: I’m embarrassed about it, but I’m not apologizing for it. And I’m a little done with this ‘brother’ thing because you’re not my brother.

Punk: Okay, you’re still mad about it. That’s your ego talking. I understand. He’s paranoid. John Cena, Randy Orton—they stabbed him in the back. You’re paranoid it’s gonna happen again and again. I’m not gonna stab you in the back. This is your ego speaking.

Rhodes: Guess what? News flash: I’m wearing purple pants. Clearly I have an ego. But there’s so much that’s unsaid between you and me. Don’t talk to me about ego. Last night, your mask slipped. So I don’t wanna hear any of this ego bulls**t. [H/T: Ringside News]

Things quickly heated up between the two when Punk apologized for the Saturday Night’s Main Event incident before pie-facing Rhodes. Police quickly stepped in to separate the two under Chief Content Officer Triple H’s eyes.

Also read: Cody Rhodes Officially Retires Ahead Of WWE SummerSlam, But There’s A Twist

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