CM Punk, Cody Rhodes Brawl Before 1st SummerSlam Title Match in 18 Years
Updated
Updated · CBS Sports · Aug 1
CM Punk, Cody Rhodes Brawl Before 1st SummerSlam Title Match in 18 Years
3 articles · Updated · CBS Sports · Aug 1
Summary
Security closed SmackDown with CM Punk and Cody Rhodes trading punches after Rhodes clotheslined the champion over the ropes and both men cleared the commentary table for a bigger fight.
The blowup followed a Thursday shove-up and a tense in-ring meeting, with Punk saying competition now outweighs their long friendship as the Undisputed WWE Championship hangs over Night 1's main event.
Punk's hold on the title remains disputed because he won it as a short-notice replacement after Rhodes was injured hours before his own championship shot.
The match will be their first singles meeting since 2008, turning a long-delayed clash between former friends into SummerSlam's top storyline.