CM Punk vs Kevin Owens set for No Holds Barred on SmackDown; Crown Jewel build to conclude

CM Punk and Kevin Owens will clash in a No Holds Barred match on the November 6, 2026 episode of WWE SmackDown, which was pre-taped on November 2 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. WWE general manager Nick Aldis authorised the stipulation after a sit-down segment last week involving both superstars.

The feud between Punk and Owens has intensified over several months, with both men blaming the other for their failure to capture the Undisputed WWE Championship. Owens inadvertently cost Punk the Undisputed WWE Championship during Punk’s title defence against Sami Zayn in Mexico City, and Punk later retaliated by costing Owens a championship opportunity.

Their hostilities have continued through recent programming, including the Money in the Bank ladder match in which Owens prevented Punk from grabbing the briefcase. Those confrontations have been part of a sustained series of run-ins between the two wrestlers.

The No Holds Barred stipulation was added on the October 30 episode and removes standard match restrictions, giving the competitors freedom to use weapons and take the fight beyond the usual rules. Aldis’s decision formally permits methods that would be banned in a conventional singles match.

WWE recorded the November 6 SmackDown on November 2 after the November 2 edition of Raw to allow talent and personnel time to travel to Saudi Arabia for Crown Jewel. That scheduling move was made to accommodate the promotion’s travel plans ahead of the pay-per-view.

SmackDown’s episode will also finish the build towards Crown Jewel, likely featuring final face-offs before the PLE this weekend in Riyadh. Crown Jewel 2026 is scheduled for November 7 at Riyadh Season Stadium at KAFD in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The No Holds Barred encounter between CM Punk and Kevin Owens will be presented on the November 6 SmackDown episode (pre-taped in Brooklyn), with Crown Jewel taking place the following day in Riyadh on November 7.