CM Punk, Cody Rhodes Escalate SummerSlam Feud After 1 WWE Title Change
Updated
Updated · Cageside Seats · Jul 20
CM Punk, Cody Rhodes Escalate SummerSlam Feud After 1 WWE Title Change
3 articles · Updated · Cageside Seats · Jul 20
Summary
SummerSlam Kickoff delivered CM Punk and Cody Rhodes' sharpest face-off yet, with the two openly trading disrespect after weeks of restrained tension.
Punk's recent WWE championship win over Sami Zayn gave the rivalry higher stakes, and WWE had already cleared Zayn and GUNTHER from the picture to set up a singles match at SummerSlam.
The feud had been building through accidental physical contact on TV and a backstage confrontation released on social media before moving onto the Kickoff stage on WWE's YouTube channel.
The latest segment appears aimed at answering criticism that the program lacked heat, pushing Rhodes further into the clear babyface role while casting Punk as the provocateur.