Add as a preferred source on Google CM Punk and Cody Rhodes had the most intense confrontation of their rivalry yet on Friday’s episode of SmackDown in Oakland, California.
Face to face in the ring, Rhodes accused Punk of hitting him with the Undisputed WWE Championship on purpose at Saturday Night’s Main Event. The American Nightmare said he needs to beat Punk at SummerSlam for their story to get the ending it deserves.
Punk fired back that Rhodes can’t stand seeing him as champion and always has to play the victim, turning everyone around Rhodes into an enemy. The Best in the World brought up Kevin Owens, Randy Orton and John Cena before saying that would make him Cody’s only friend.
The champion also pointed out that he’d promised not to attack Rhodes from behind. Punk vowed he’ll beat Rhodes head-on and break his heart at SummerSlam.
The exchange got even more personal when Punk said nobody can beat him in the ring or on the mic — not even “Dusty’s kid.”
Rhodes immediately had Punk’s music cut and shot back that the song fans will hear at the end of the match will be “Kingdom,” once he wins back the Undisputed WWE Championship.
The August 1 match will be only the third one-on-one meeting between Punk and Rhodes. Punk won the first, on September 22, 2008, while Rhodes took the rematch by count-out on December 29, 2008. That means the title won’t be the only thing on the line at U.S. Bank Stadium — the winner will also break the tie in their head-to-head record.