Add as a preferred source on Google Kevin Owens is back, and he’s already at the front of the line for the WWE Title. On Night 2 of SummerSlam on Sunday, August 2, The Prizefighter pinned Sami Zayn in a Fatal 4-Way that also included Gunther and Finn Balor to earn a future shot at CM Punk’s Undisputed WWE Championship.
The match was originally announced as Zayn vs. Balor one-on-one, with Balor having earned his spot by winning a Fatal 4-Way over Damian Priest, Royce Keys and Trick Williams on the July 24 episode of SmackDown.
Before the bell, newly reinstated SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis came out and added Gunther to the match, then added Owens as well, making it a four-way.
Gunther’s addition came less than 24 hours after he submitted Aldis on Night 1 of SummerSlam. On the post-show, The Ring General demanded that Aldis be reinstated and that he be put back in line for a match with Punk.
KO IS NO. 1 CONTENDER 💯
— WWE (@WWE) August 2, 2026
Welcome BACK to the KEVIN OWENS SHOW!!! @FightOwensFight pic.twitter.com/P7Lj5LuV2i
The four worked a fast-paced match with several believable near falls down the stretch. Owens found his opening late, hit Zayn with a Stunner and covered him to become the new number one contender.
It was Owens’ first match in more than a year. He announced in April 2025 that he had suffered a serious neck injury, which took him out of his scheduled WrestleMania 41 match with Randy Orton and required surgery.
Punk retained the Undisputed WWE Championship over Cody Rhodes on Night 1 after Orton interfered in the match. Owens’ last shot at that title came at the 2025 Royal Rumble, where he lost a Ladder Match to Rhodes.