WWE SummerSlam 2026: Preview, Updated Card, Dates

CM Punk vs. Cody Rhodes is officially set for SummerSlam in Minneapolis. The blockbuster showdown was confirmed during the opening segment of the July 10 edition of SmackDown.

WWE took a straightforward approach to making the match official. Much like the World Heavyweight Championship bout, there was no No. 1 Contender's Match or contract signing—just two of the company's biggest stars meeting face-to-face in the middle of the ring.

With Punk vs. Rhodes now locked in, the marquee matches for the two-night event have taken shape. From a business perspective, WWE had every reason to announce the match sooner rather than later amid reports of slower-than-expected ticket sales. Filling U.S. Bank Stadium across two nights is a significant undertaking, and the company needs its biggest attractions on the card.

Even with five matches now announced, however, WWE still has plenty of work to do to round out the SummerSlam lineup.