WWE SmackDown Results (7/17/2026): CM Punk & Cody Rhodes Appear, More

Full results for the July 17, 2026, edition of WWE SmackDown live from the MVP Arena in Albany, New York on the USA Network.

On July 17, 2026, World Wrestling Entertainment hosted a new episode of Friday Night SmackDown from the MVP Arena in Albany, New York.

CM Punk & Cody Rhodes headlined the show.

The full results are listed below.

Refresh the site for the latest updates as the show happens.

WWE SmackDown (7/17/2026).

• Adam Pearce serves as acting general manager
• CM Punk and Cody Rhodes to appear
• Finn Bálor vs. Talla Tonga

First Hour.

• GUNTHER kicked off the show, explaining why he attacked Nick Aldis, saying he was frustrated by the way he had been treated by Aldis since joining SmackDown and even called Sami Zayn a bum. Adam Pearce told GUNTHER he would have been fired if it were up to him, but Aldis pushed for the match at Saturday Night’s Main Event to go through. After that, Pearce told GUNTHER that if he & Sami Zayn defeat CM Punk & Cody Rhodes at MSG, they would be added to the WWE Title Match. Cody Rhodes then appeared and attacked GUNTHER before Pearce made the match official between the two for tonight.
• Finn Bálor def. Talla Tonga (w/ Tama Tonga).
• WWE Women’s Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Tiffany Stratton def. Jacy Jayne.
  • Brie Bella & Paige attacked Fallon Henley & Lainey Reid before the match.
• Baron Corbin had a vignette calling out Trick Williams & Carmelo Hayes.
• Trick Williams was confronted by Carmelo Hayes backstage, with Hayes saying he was still coming for the United States title. Williams said Hayes had not achieved anything in SD, and he should stop getting in grown folk’s business.

Second Hour.

• WWE Women’s Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Jade Cargill (w/ Michin & B-Fab) def. Nia Jax (w/ Lash Legend) via DQ.
  • Charlotte Flair attacked Jade Cargill, causing the match to be thrown out.
• Candice LeRae (and a planked Johnny Gargano) confronted GUNTHER backstage to tell him to focus on helping Sami Zayn win on Saturday Night’s Main Event. Blake Monroe then attacked LeRae.
• Adam Pearce told Nia Jax she would get another Qualifier against Charlotte Flair next week.
• War Raiders (Erik & Ivar) def. Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom).
• CM Punk told Cody Rhodes he could accompany him at ringside for his match against GUNTHER, but Rhodes politely rejected the offer.
• Cody Rhodes vs. GUNTHER ended in a No Contest.
  • CM Punk & Sami Zayn got involved, causing the match to be thrown out. A massive brawl ensued before the end of the broadcast.

–  Check out the post-show podcast for a full review of the show on Fightful’s YouTube & Twitch channels. You can check Fightful’s Results Section here.