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Unseen Footage Reveals What Happened After WWE SmackDown Got Cut Off Abruptly

By John Canton • Published Jul 11, 2026 08:32 EDT
Cody Rhodes WWE
Cody Rhodes – SmackDown, Dec. 5, 2025 - Source: WWE.com

A video has been shared about what happened on WWE SmackDown after the show went off the air. 

In the main event of WWE SmackDown in Oklahoma City, former 2-time World Champion Gunther called out the SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis to “fix things” regarding the WWE Title situation.

Gunther was unhappy that Aldis approved of the CM Punk-Cody Rhodes match at SummerSlam for Punk’s WWE Championship.

Instead of fixing the “mistake” that Gunther wanted, Aldis said Rhodes and Punk will team up against Gunther and Sami Zayn at Saturday Night’s Main Event on July 18th in Madison Square Garden. Gunther said he wanted Aldis to fix his mistake. Aldis said the only mistake he needed to fix was thinking that Gunther wouldn’t be a giant pain in the ass.

As Aldis mentioned the Saturday Night’s Main Event tag team match again, that’s when Gunther attacked Aldis with elbows to the head. Gunther nailed Aldis with a clothesline. Gunther applied a Sleeper on Aldis, so WWE Officials and referees went into the ring to pull Gunther off. When Aldis got back up, Gunther hit him with a boot to the head. Gunther applied the Sleeper on Aldis again and WWE Officials tried to get Gunther to stop.

Gunther left the ring while announcer Wade Barrett said that Gunther can’t be doing that. Gunther went back into the ring to elbow Aldis again, and Gunther applied another Sleeper on Aldis. Barrett said this was a major statement from Gunther. The credits rolled on the screen as Gunther applied a Sleeper again, as WWE Officials tried to get Gunther to stop for good.

Cody Rhodes arrived wearing a tank top and went towards the ring as the show went off the air for fans watching on the USA Network and Netflix because it was 10 p.m. ET, and that’s when SmackDown ended.

Cody Rhodes Challenged Gunther To A Match After WWE SmackDown

In a 1:08 video shared by WWE online, they showed what happened when Cody Rhodes got into the ring.

When Cody got into the ring, the fans were cheering for him while Gunther left to the floor. Cody called for Gunther to enter the ring, but Gunther refused.

Cody picked up the microphone: “Gunther, this is Oklahoma City, let’s give them a show. Come on! You and I! Right now. Let him go, come on. Let’s go!” The “American Nightmare” Rhodes was ready to fight in the ring, but Gunther wasn’t, and he walked to the back while the fans booed him.

The scene ended with SmackDown GM Nick Aldis on the floor, selling the vicious attack from Gunther while Rhodes was in the ring.

Regarding the Gunther-Aldis story, the plan is for them to have a match at SummerSlam, which would be Aldis’ first match since joining WWE three years ago. Aldis has been the SmackDown GM since October 2023 and works as a Producer behind the scenes as well.

Aldis has yet to wrestle in WWE, but he’s been a pro wrestler for over 20 years and is a former TNA & NWA World Champion, so he’s obviously very capable in the ring.

WWE SummerSlam takes place on August 1 & 2 from U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Here’s the lineup so far:

  • WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Seth Rollins
  • Undisputed WWE Championship: CM Punk (c) vs. Cody Rhodes
  • Hell in a Cell Match: Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar
  • Women’s World Championship: Liv Morgan (c) vs. Iyo Sky

You can watch SummerSlam, a special two-night event STREAMING LIVE on Saturday, August 1, and Sunday, August 2, at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT on the ESPN App with an ESPN Unlimited plan in the United States and on Netflix internationally.