CM Punk gives Cody Rhodes handwritten shortlist on SmackDown ahead of Survivor Series 2026

CM Punk handed Cody Rhodes a handwritten list of recommended names on the November 13 edition of SmackDown as both men prepare for the five-on-five USA vs Mexico match at the 40th edition of WWE Survivor Series.

The traditional five-on-five Survivor Series bout will pit Team USA against Team Mexico, with Cody Rhodes confirmed as captain for Team USA and WWE Hall of Famer and AAA GM Rey Mysterio captaining Team Mexico. During the Crown Jewel fallout show on Raw, CM Punk and Je’Von Evans were added to Team USA while Penta was added to Team Mexico, leaving two and three slots open in the respective lineups. The SmackDown segment with Punk and Rhodes came as the companies continue to finalise the remaining participants.

In a backstage exchange on SmackDown, Punk handed Rhodes a piece of paper containing his handwritten suggestions for Team USA. Cody Rhodes later posted that list on social media, making Punk’s recommendations public after the show.

Earlier in the episode, Rhodes and Punk were involved in a separate segment with Rey Mysterio in which Mysterio unveiled the newest member of Team Mexico. AAA World Cruiserweight Champion Rey Fenix was introduced as the third confirmed participant for Team Mexico.

A total of 10 Superstars will compete in the match, with five wrestlers representing Team USA and five representing Team Mexico. The roster moves and the SmackDown interactions leave both sides occupied with selecting the remaining competitors ahead of the Premium Live Event.

The Premium Live Event, billed as WWE Survivor Series: WarGames 2026, is scheduled for Saturday, November 28, 2026, at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas and will begin at 6 PM ET / 5 PM CT; both teams must finalise their remaining spots before that show.