​WWE SmackDown heads to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma this Friday, July 10, for a show that promises to be packed with fireworks as CM Punk makes his highly anticipated return to the blue brand. After the dramatic title change on Monday night, when Punk defeated Sami Zayn, SmackDown has been turned upside down, and fans are eager to see how the new Undisputed WWE Champion will steer the course ahead of SummerSlam. Punk’s homecoming to SmackDown is set to steal the spotlight, especially as the wrestling world awaits Cody Rhodes’ reply following Gunther’s attack on him during Raw, which left the Rhodes character reeling and ready to respond on Friday.
Zayn, meanwhile, took the loss hard and he reacted strongly in the immediate aftermath, generating significant attention and plenty of heat on social media as fans and peers weighed in on the outcome. The fallout from this week’s events will likely set the table for an intense SummerSlam build, with Punk once again perched at the top as the title picture continues to evolve. The momentum on the blue brand is clearly shifting, and SmackDown is expected to reflect that with a show that pushes toward the summer pay-per-view spectacle.
In addition to Punk’s return and the ongoing fallout, Finn Bálor will step into his first singles match on SmackDown since moving over to the brand. He will collide with Tama Tonga, the New Japan Pro-Wrestling and former Bullet Club ally, providing a high-stakes clash that could impact Bálor’s momentum and position on the card going toward SummerSlam. On the same night, United States Champion Trick Williams will be in action as part of a non-title match against Carmelo Hayes, continuing their heated rivalry while Williams defends the U.S. title indirectly through ongoing taunts and interactions, keeping the feud hot without title implications on the line this Friday.
The anticipated lineup also includes appearances from Gunther and Oba Femi, among others, as the night unfolds with additional surprises and segments designed to advance multiple storylines on the road to SummerSlam. With Punk back at the center of the SmackDown landscape, fans can expect a show that blends title drama, personal feuds, and fresh confrontations that could redefine the path to the biggest summer event.
Tune in to the full SmackDown lineup, kicking off at 8 p.m. ET on USA Network, for a night loaded with potential breakthroughs and high-stakes action. The advertised slate currently includes CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Gunther, Oba Femi, Finn Bálor versus Tama Tonga, and Trick Williams versus Carmelo Hayes in a non-title showdown, as well as additional surprises and appearances that could shape the blue brand’s trajectory ahead of SummerSlam. This Friday promises to be a pivotal chapter in SmackDown’s ongoing evolution, with Punk’s return serving as the centerpiece of a night that aims to set the tone for the next phase of WWE’s summer storylines.