The field for WWE’s Interim Women’s Championship Ladder Match at SummerSlam continues to grow, although one qualifying bout on SmackDown ended in unexpected fashion. A heated rivalry spilled into the match.

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,

CM Punk will defend the WWE Championship at SummerSlam. His first title defense was made official Friday night on SmackDown.

WWE SmackDown came to a chaotic conclusion on Friday night as GUNTHER launched an attack on SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis, with the broadcast ending before the situation could be resolved. This week’s edition of WWE SmackDown,

However, this past Friday, CM Punk returned to "SmackDown" now that he's the Undisputed WWE Champion, which led the show to bounce back following its poor performance last week. According to Wrestlenomics and Programming Insider,