WWE SmackDown from the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario Canada advertises quite possibly the most anticipated match of 2026, and that covers a lot of ground given this is the same year that has given us Brock Lesnar vs. Oba Femi, Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton, CM Punk vs. Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk.
CM Punk and Kevin Owens have had less than three weeks to buildup an otherwise dream match, and they made use of every second through two compelling promo segments on SmackDown that blurred the lines of reality and storyline like only a CM Punk feud can. Over 15,000 fans are expected for SmackDown Toronto in Owens’ home country of Canada to watch KO challenge his bitter rival CM Punk for the Undisputed WWE Championship. Owens is a former world champion, though he held the Universal Championship and has yet to capture the WWE title like his best friend Sami Zayn—whom Punk beat for the WWE Championship last month.
CM Punk vs. Kevin Owens’ tilt tonight is likely to be the first of multiple matches between the two. Given the fact that the match is in Canada with an embittered Sami Zayn waiting in the wings, Zayn will probably play into the finish. What improves the storytelling—therefore adding suspense to this main event—is that Sami Zayn is upset with both Punk and Owens.
Sami Zayn finally won the WWE Championship to punctuate a two-decade journey in pro wrestling, only to see it all come crashing down when Punk made a surprise return to beat Sami in Chicago after just nine days as champion. Zayn was given a reprieve, in the form of a singles match against Finn Balor for the right to challenge for the Undisputed WWE Championship. Instead, the match was turned into a Fatal 4-Way before the bell rang, and Zayn was upended by another surprise return in the form of Kevin Owens.
There are multiple scenarios where Zayn could screw over Punk, Owens, both or neither in the SmackDown main event. It’s all very impressive handiwork by WWE creative despite the over-complaining from fans and bots online.
- Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton Face Off
- Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga vs. R-Truth and Damian Priest | WWE Tag Titles
Blake Monroe vs. Giulia
CM Punk vs. Kevin Owens | Undisputed WWE Championship
Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton Face Off
Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga vs. R-Truth and Damian Priest | WWE Tag Titles
CM Punk vs. Kevin Owens | Undisputed WWE Championship
- August 14, 2026 | 1.247 million
August 7, 2026 | 1.470 million
July 31, 2026 | 1.379 million
Enjoying this article? Support our work with a small crypto donation.July 24, 2026 | 1.253 million
July 17, 2026 | 1.243 million
WWE SmackDown Venue: Scotiabank Arena
- WWE SmackDown Date: Friday, August 21, 2026
WWE SmackDown Start Time: 5:00 pm PST (8:00 pm EST)
Where to Watch/Stream WWE SmackDown: USA Network
WWE SmackDown Date: Friday, August 21, 2026
WWE SmackDown Start Time: 5:00 pm PST (8:00 pm EST)
Where to Watch/Stream WWE SmackDown: USA Network
Check for live updates and coverage of WWE SmackDown starting 5:00 pm PST.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
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