WWE SmackDown preview for August 21, 2026: CM Punk vs Kevin Owens, Blake Monroe’s in-ring debut and more

WWE SmackDown will air live from the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on August 21, 2026, where Undisputed Champion CM Punk is scheduled to defend the title against number one contender Kevin Owens. The Friday card also lists Cody Rhodes, Tiffany Stratton, Gunther and Jade Cargill among the featured superstars.

With Atlanta’s Sunday Night’s Main Event approaching, Khel Now examines four storylines likely to unfold on this week’s SmackDown. Those angles include the mystery around Shinsuke Nakamura’s new partner and a potential showdown with the MFTs, Blake Monroe’s first in-ring confrontation following her sneak attacks, the aftermath of the Cody Rhodes–Randy Orton brawl, and the build to Punk versus Owens. Each thread carries implications for upcoming televised specials and title picture positioning.

Last week Shinsuke Nakamura appeared in a vignette to congratulate the MFTs on becoming the new WWE Tag Team Champions and issued them a stern warning while the camera teased a mystery figure standing in silhouette behind him. After a second vignette, a report said Nakamura’s tag team partner will be former New Japan Pro Wrestling star Hiromu Takahashi. Fans are now waiting to see how the storyline progresses and what the new duo will bring to SmackDown, particularly in their expected showdown with the MFTs.

In a digital exclusive segment GM Nick Aldis told Blake Monroe that "a lot of women have complained about Monroe’s sneak attacks" and proposed Monroe face one of those women in a one-on-one match. Monroe proposed a match between her and Chelsea Green for the WWE Women’s title, but Giulia—who Monroe attacked upon arriving on SmackDown—then appeared and promised to give Monroe a beating in her first match. No date was announced during the segment, though the match is expected for this week.

Last week’s SmackDown closed with Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton brawling throughout the arena, and a WrestleMania 42 rematch between the two has been announced for Sunday Night’s Main Event next month. Rhodes had been scheduled to face Sami Zayn with the stipulation that if Sami wins he will earn a WWE Championship match against the winner of CM Punk vs Kevin Owen; the Rhodes–Zayn match did not take place because of the brawl. Sami is therefore likely to address Rhodes on the show, given the unfulfilled stipulation.

In the lead-up to their title showdown, a fiery war of words took place last week between Undisputed Champion CM Punk and number one contender Kevin Owens. The pair are set to lace up their boots for the August 21 show, and Punk will defend the Undisputed title for the second time against Owens in his hometown this Friday. The result will have direct bearing on the WWE Championship picture heading into upcoming specials.

Sunday Night’s Main Event is scheduled for Sunday, September 6, 2026, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia and will be WWE’s first-ever Sunday Night’s Main Event; Money in the Bank is set for October 10, 2026, at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. For more updates, follow Khel Now Wrestling on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram & Whatsapp.

Abhijit Singh is a budding sports journalist with over three years of experience in the field, and a photographer capturing stories through his lens since 2018. With a background in philosophy and political science, he brings a thoughtful, analytical edge to his reporting where every word is guided by curiosity and intent. When he’s not covering sports, he’s often exploring new ideas through reading, traveling or just procrastinating.