Add as a preferred source on Google WWE planted the seed for a post-SummerSlam program between CM Punk and Trick Williams on Friday’s SmackDown from the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Punk was in the middle of a backstage interview ahead of his final face-to-face with Cody Rhodes when Williams cut him off. The exchange put the Undisputed WWE Title at the center of it, with the U.S. Champion making it clear where his eyes are.
No match has been signed. Punk defends the Undisputed WWE Title against Rhodes on Night 1 of SummerSlam on Saturday at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, while Williams puts the U.S. Title on the line against Baron Corbin on Night 2.
Champ 🤝 Champ @CMPunk | @_trickwilliams pic.twitter.com/RaJbwSLEq4
— WWE (@WWE) August 1, 2026
Williams also has bodies in front of him. Finn Bálor beat Williams, Damian Priest, and Royce Keys in a four-way on the July 24 SmackDown to earn a No. 1 contender’s match with Sami Zayn, which goes down Sunday on Night 2. The winner gets the next crack at the title.
There’s history between Punk and Williams. Williams publicly credited Punk with helping the NXT locker room in September 2024, days before Punk worked as special guest referee for Williams’ NXT Title match with Ethan Page at the NXT premiere on The CW in Chicago on October 1.
For now it’s a tease and nothing more. How the weekend in Minneapolis plays out will determine whether this gets picked back up or Williams gets moved into the title picture on SmackDown.