Five possible finishes for CM Punk vs Kevin Owens at SmackDown on August 21 in Toronto
Kevin Owens will challenge CM Punk for the Undisputed WWE Championship on the August 21, 2026 episode of SmackDown at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario. Khel Now has outlined five potential outcomes for the title match.
Owens returned from injury at WWE SummerSlam 2026 and won a Fatal 4-Way match to earn a title shot at CM Punk’s Undisputed WWE Championship. He selected the August 21 episode of SmackDown for the match, which will take place in his home country of Canada. CM Punk delivered an impressive high-stakes match against Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam, although his victory came with a little assist from Randy Orton. CM Punk and Kevin Owens have been known to have real-life animosity between them for years.
One scenario sees Punk snap under the pressure and use a foreign object on Owens, resulting in a disqualification finish. Owens would win the match by disqualification but not the title, as the title does not change hands after a disqualification win. That outcome would further continue their feud.
Another possibility is a decisive, clean victory for Punk, with the reigning WWE Champion using his athleticism and in-ring acumen to pick up a clean win and prove that he could do it on his own. Such a result would leave the Undisputed WWE Championship with Punk following a straightforward title defence. It would also remove any ambiguity about outside interference deciding the outcome.
Kevin Owens has been well regarded as a heel. He is currently working as a babyface since his WWE return at SummerSlam. A turn of events could see KO unleash his aggression and fury on CM Punk, leading to a proper heel turn and, in the process, winning the match to become World Champion.
Sami Zayn was happy to see Kevin Owens recover from his neck injury but upset that KO stole his moment at SummerSlam 2026. That tension could prompt Zayn to betray his best friend at a crucial moment. Such a betrayal would cost Owens the chance to win the Undisputed WWE Title.
The American Nightmare Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton’s enmity was the reason CM Punk retained his Undisputed WWE Title at SummerSlam. Both fought over the title at WrestleMania 42. Their heated tensions could lead them to interfere in the title match tonight and end it in a No Contest, prolonging the feud and adding a major new angle.
WWE’s upcoming special events include Sunday Night’s Main Event on Sunday, September 6, 2026, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia; it will be WWE’s first-ever Sunday Night’s Main Event. The 2026 edition of Money in the Bank is set for October 10, 2026, at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.