The SummerSlam opponents expose years of resentment during an emotional WWE Championship confrontation
Summary
– Cody Rhodes admitted he respects and loves CM Punk, but does not like him
– Punk accused Cody of creating enemies because he cannot handle the pressure of their championship match
– Both men promised to deliver an ass-kicking when they meet at SummerSlam in eight days
Cody Rhodes and CM Punk delivered a deeply personal confrontation eight days before their WWE Championship match at SummerSlam.
Rhodes invited the Undisputed WWE Champion to the ring during the July 24 episode of SmackDown.
Their relationship had become increasingly tense after Punk’s championship belt struck Cody during a recent appearance.
Punk insisted the incident was accidental, but Cody admitted that he no longer felt comfortable turning his back on his longtime friend.
Rhodes said his need to win at SummerSlam was about more than reclaiming the championship.
He explained that Punk’s famous 2011 pipe bomb showed wrestlers like him that another path through the industry was possible.
Cody followed that example by leaving WWE, rebuilding his career, and eventually returning as one of the company’s biggest stars.
However, Rhodes admitted that he had always known many fans wished Punk had been the one to accomplish those milestones.
Cody said he was finished apologizing for everything he had earned through his own work.
He acknowledged that Punk remained the only roster member who made him feel threatened and insecure.
Rhodes then admitted that he could love and respect Punk while still disliking him.
He said their story could only receive its proper ending if he defeated Punk at SummerSlam.
Punk responded by questioning whether Cody truly disliked him or hated that he held the WWE Championship.
The champion said his influence cast a large shadow that Cody and several others had struggled to escape.
Punk also acknowledged learning from Rhodes while attempting to return to wrestling in 2022.
He said both men had spent years chasing each other, but that pursuit would end at SummerSlam.
Punk accused Rhodes of turning himself into a victim because he could not handle the pressure of fighting someone he respected.
He argued that Cody had made Kevin Owens, Randy Orton, and John Cena his enemies while Punk remained his only real friend.
Punk reminded Cody that he had promised to attack him from the front rather than betray him from behind.
He then vowed to break Cody’s heart at SummerSlam.
Rhodes promised to help Punk through their remaining tag team appearances before defeating him for the championship.
Punk answered by promising Cody an ass-kicking and a lesson wrapped inside a loss.
The confrontation reached another level when Punk declared that nobody could touch him, including Dusty Rhodes’ children.
Cody ended the segment by predicting that Punk would hear his entrance music while staring at the lights after Rhodes won the WWE Championship for a fourth time.
