Cody Rhodes and CM Punk get into heated backstage altercation after WWE …
A post-match incident involving the Undisputed WWE Championship has escalated tensions between Cody Rhodes and CM Punk following their Madison Square Garden tag team match.
CM Punk and Cody Rhodes, set to face off at SummerSlam for the Undisputed WWE Championship, erupted into a heated backstage altercation following their tag team match at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event on July 18, 2026, in Madison Square Garden. The incident, which involved physical confrontation and profanity-laced exchanges, has intensified the rivalry between the two stars and raised questions about the direction of their feud.
The match, which saw Punk and Rhodes team up against Gunther and Sami Zayn, carried a stipulation: if the latter duo won, they would join the SummerSlam main event as a four-way match. However, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis intervened, disrupting Gunther’s momentum and enabling Punk to secure the victory. After the match, Rhodes handed Punk the Undisputed WWE Title, only for Punk to accidentally strike Rhodes in the eye with the belt’s strap as he exited the ring. This moment, described by multiple sources as a “flick” or “accidental” action, became the catalyst for the backstage clash.
During a post-match interview with Jackie Redmond, Rhodes confronted Punk, demanding to know if the incident was intentional. “You cracked me in the eye with this title. It was an accident, right?” Rhodes asked, according to ringsidenews.com. Punk responded, “100%. We’re fine. Calm down,” but Rhodes pushed further, accusing Punk of being “always emotional out there.” The exchange escalated rapidly, with both men exchanging heated words before Bobby Roode and Trick Williams intervened to separate them. whatculture.com reported that Rhodes hurled expletives and demanded the camera crew stop filming, while si.com noted that the confrontation lasted long enough for the cameras to capture the conflict before being shut off.
The altercation was initially shared across WWE’s social media platforms but was later removed, sparking speculation about the company’s handling of the incident. sportskeeda.com reported that the footage was deleted from platforms like X and Instagram, though screenshots and clips from third-party aggregators circulated. One source, cagesideseats.com, suggested the deletion might have been an attempt to downplay the conflict, as WWE often manages narrative control around high-profile rivalries. The company has not issued an official statement addressing the incident or the removal of the video.
Despite the tension, both men maintained a veneer of professionalism in public appearances. During the event, they traded jabs while emphasizing their “friendship” for the sake of the storyline. However, the backstage clash underscored the personal friction between them, which has been building for weeks. wrestleview.com noted that prior to the match, the pair had clashed over entrance order, with Punk mocking Rhodes’ “best in the world” persona. This history of friction, combined with the recent belt incident, has set the stage for a highly anticipated SummerSlam showdown.
The feud’s escalation has also drawn attention to Punk’s recent return to WWE. sports.yahoo.com reported that Punk had “issues” with the company, including a push to return to SmackDown and a feud with Rhodes. While WWE has not confirmed the nature of these disputes, the backstage altercation adds weight to the narrative that Punk’s return is being carefully managed. Meanwhile, Rhodes’ role as the challenger has been framed as a potential heel turn, with some analysts suggesting that turning either man into a villain could reignite fan interest in the storyline.
As SummerSlam approaches, the conflict between Punk and Rhodes is expected to dominate WWE’s programming. The match, scheduled for August 1 and 2 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, will be the first time the Undisputed WWE Championship has been contested in a singles match since its inception. Fans and analysts alike are speculating whether the feud will take a dramatic turn, with some sources suggesting that the backstage altercation could be a prelude to a full-blown heel turn for either wrestler.
For now, WWE remains silent on the incident, focusing instead on promoting the upcoming event. However, the removal of the altercation footage and the intensity of the confrontation have left fans questioning the company’s strategy. As one cagesideseats.com reader noted, “Is this enough for you, if you were even concerned in the first place? Does this feud need a true heel?” The answer may soon be clear when Punk and Rhodes step into the ring for their highly anticipated clash.
