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Randy Orton’s Attack on Cody Rhodes Helps CM Punk Retain Undisputed WWE Championship at SummerSlam: Night One

August 1, 2026 | Posted by Yash Mittal
CM Punk and Cody Rhodes at WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night One. Image Credit: WWE

Randy Orton’s shocking return helped CM Punk defeat Cody Rhodes and retain the Undisputed WWE Championship following a grueling and highly physical match at WWE SummerSlam: Minnesota Night One.

The match started off slowly, as the two engaged for technical supremacy. Though Punk initially targeted Rhodes’ left elbow, Cody got the upper hand when the champion injured his left knee while attempting a flying kick. From thereon, Cody relentlessly targeted Punk’s knee, repeatedly nailing the Dragon Screw and raining down multiple blows. However, Punk managed to stay in the fight. He tried to go for the GTS, but couldn’t execute it due to the injured knee.

Cody executed multiple Cutters, including one off the top rope, but Punk still kicked out. Cody went for the Figure-4, but Punk reversed it and managed to reach the rope. He went for the Anaconda Vice but Cody managed to stay afloat. Punk went for another GTS, but Cody reversed it for an Alabama Slam. However, this time, Punk countered it. A Jackknife pinfall attempt from Punk led to Cody countering Cross Rhodes, but that couldn’t get the job done.

After another submission attempt, CM Punk nailed a Moonsault and followed it up with a couple of GTS for another nearfall. Punk then lined up a beaten-up Cody on the commentary table for a Splash, but The American Nightmare rolled out of the way, and the champ crashed through the table, further injuring his battered knee. Cody dragged Punk’s body into the ring and went for another Cody Cutter. However, he accidentally took out the referee. Punk hit Cody with a GTS and tried to follow it up with another after Rhodes collapsed on his shoulders. However, this time, Cody countered it into a Cross Rhodes.

However, the momentum took Punk out of the ring. Right at the moment, Randy Orton appeared out of nowhere and RKO’d Cody, paving the way for Punk to hit the decisive GTS to retain the title.

This was CM Punk’s maiden televised defense. He captured the championship from Sami Zayn on the July 6 episode of WWE RAW in front of his home fans in Chicago. Meanwhile, this is Orton’s first appearance on WWE TV since his defeat to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 42 Night One.

You can check out our live coverage of WWE SummerSlam: Minnesota Night One RIGHT HERE. Clips from CM Punk vs. Cody Rhodes can be checked below [via WWE’s X handle]:

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CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, WWE SummerSlam 2026, Yash Mittal

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