It’s been a week of double tapings for the WWE roster as the company taped this week’s episode of Raw and SmackDown on Monday in Ottawa. On Friday night the WWE roster rolled into the Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio to tape the August 31 episode of Raw as well as the September 4 episode of Friday Night SmackDown.
A number of challengers have been vying for CM Punk’s Undisputed WWE Championship in recent weeks, and Punk decided to put his title on the line during the SmackDown tapings on Friday night. During the show Punk challenged Johnny Gargano to a match for the title, and Gargano finally stood up.
PUNK ASKS GARGANO FOR A TITLE MATCH TONIGHT AND FINALLY STANDS UP pic.twitter.com/yzAzKyLzOg
— Songbug 🪽 #Sayaka5STAR #SuzumeTPC (@rhinocerosbug) August 29, 2026
CM Punk vs. Johnny Gargano for the Undisputed WWE Champion was then confirmed for later in the show.
CM PUNK VS JOHNNY GARGANO IS CONFIRMED FOR TONIGHT pic.twitter.com/E2Ac7q4aiM
— Songbug 🪽 #Sayaka5STAR #SuzumeTPC (@rhinocerosbug) August 29, 2026
Ultimately CM Punk defeated Johnny Gargano to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship. After the match the Second City Saint cut a promo and told the fans that Gargano is better than laying on a box, he belongs in the ring at the highest level.
punk retains after an awesome match with johnny gargano and gives him his flowers after the match pic.twitter.com/Sd7BBlbIBR
— Songbug 🪽 #Sayaka5STAR #SuzumeTPC (@rhinocerosbug) August 29, 2026
It’s not clear if this part will air on SmackDown, but Sami Zayn attacked CM Punk after the promo and Cody Rhodes made the save.
sami beats up punk and is saved by cody pic.twitter.com/cDfb1q36MW
— Songbug 🪽 #Sayaka5STAR #SuzumeTPC (@rhinocerosbug) August 29, 2026