WWE Friday Night SmackDown in Oakland, California, USA, Live on the USA Network, July 24th, 2026 — Episode Preview:

Cody Rhodes and the Undisputed WWE Champion CM Punk are in the house after the altercation following their Tag Team Match at Saturday Night's Main Event and at the WWE SummerSlam kick-off show. What'll happen tonight after those events? (Image courtesy of WWE)

• Date: Friday, July 24, 2026.

• Time: 8 P.M. ET / 7 P.M. CT / 5 P.M. PT.

• Location: Oakland Arena in Oakland, California, USA.

• TV: LIVE on USA Network.

• Streaming: LIVE on Netflix Internationally.

The July 24th WWE Friday Night SmackDown Episode Preview & What You Need To Know:

• After the fun all-star Tag Team Main Event at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, tension between CM Punk and Cody Rhodes arose, as Cody Rhodes accused CM Punk of hitting him with the belt on purpose, striking his eye. But CM Punk denied it. The panic in Cody Rhodes is rising as he can’t trust people as he used to, as at the WWE SummerSlam Kick-Off Show at Fantics Fest the tensions boiled over as CM Punk shoved Cody Rhodes, and officials had to break everything up. Friends? Or are they turning into enemies, but the question is who’s going to stab who in the back first? The Road to SummerSlam is getting spicy as two of the best in the business today are going to go toe-to-toe tonight in a Promo Battle tonight on SmackDown.

• Nick Aldis made his return after being brutally attacked as he attacked Gunther with the Undisputed WWE Title to help CM Punk and Cody Rhodes win in the Main Event of WWE Saturday Night. Night’s Main Event. At the WWE SummerSlam Kick-Off Show at Fantics Fest, we saw Triple H announce Gunther taking on Nick Aldis at WWE SummerSlam; this would mark Nick Aldis ‘ first singles match in three years, dating back to his time in TNA. But tonight both men will address the match that will be happening next weekend, as a lot of eyeballs are on Nick Aldis for his return match in the ring.

• We’ve already had two entries qualified for the Fatal-Five Way Ladder Match for the Interim WWE Women’s Title. But tonight, Nia Jax gets a Round Two as she lost her match due to Charlotte Flair attacking Jade Cargill, which ended the match in a DQ, helping Jade Cargill qualify for the match at WWE SummerSlam. But now Nia Jax gets to get her hands on Charlotte Flair in the 3rd Qualifying Match for the Interim WWE Women’s Title Fatal-Five Way Ladder Match asd whoever wins will punch their ticket to SummerSlam.

• Chelsea Green is eyeing to enter the Interim WWE Women’s Title Ladder Match, but she has to go through one of the young rising talents on SmackDown in Kiana James, who hasn’t had the ideal 2026 but wants to make it shift into a positive direction as she also looks to qualify tonight and be added to the Fatal-Five Way Ladder Match at WWE SummerSlam.

The Official Slated Matches Announced for the July 24th Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown:

1. Charlotte Flair vs. Nia Jax in an Interim WWE Women’s Title Qualifier Match.

2. Chelsea Green vs. Kiana James in an Interim WWE Women’s Title Qualifier Match.

The Official Appearances & Segments Announced for the July 24th Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown:

1. Undisputed WWE Champion CM Punk and Cody Rhodes react after their altercation at Saturday Night's Main Event.

2. Gunther to discuss his SummerSlam match against the General Manager of SmackDown, Nick Aldis.