Add as a preferred source on Google WWE changed the Undisputed WWE Championship No. 1 contender’s match twice before the bell on SummerSlam Night 2, and the second change brought Kevin Owens back.
Sami Zayn and Finn Bálor were set for a singles match to determine CM Punk’s next challenger. Before the match started, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis came out on the stage and announced that Gunther had been added. Owens’ music hit moments later, making it a Fatal 4-Way and drawing a massive pop in Minneapolis.
It was Owens’ first appearance on WWE television since April 2025. The former Universal Champion had been out with a neck injury that required fusion surgery, and there was no guarantee for months that he would be cleared to wrestle again. Word that he was in Minneapolis had been circulating all weekend.
KEVIN OWENS IS BACK!!!! 😱😱😱
— WWE (@WWE) August 2, 2026
THIS IS MADNESS!!! pic.twitter.com/W1BWKhNuVb
Gunther wrestled on Night 1 on Aug. 1, submitting Aldis. After the show, Aldis attempted to hand in his resignation, but Triple H tore up the letter and kept him on as SmackDown GM.
Bálor had earned his spot in the contender’s match by winning a Fatal 4-Way over Damian Priest, Royce Keys and Trick Williams on the July 24 SmackDown. Zayn got the other spot after demanding another shot at the title he dropped to Punk. Punk then retained against Cody Rhodes on Night 1, keeping the belt after Randy Orton returned and attacked Rhodes.
The late change puts Owens right back in the title picture in his first night back and gives Gunther another crack at the championship he came up short of at Night of Champions, where Zayn pinned Rhodes in the triple threat to win it.