WWE SmackDown Review: Highlights and Lowlights from July 31, 2026
The final episode of WWE SmackDown before SummerSlam 2026 aired on July 31, 2026, showcasing a title-for-title tag team match and the last qualifier for the interim women's title ladder match. The Wrestling Inc. team shared their opinions on the most notable segments of the show.
The opening segment, featuring Sami Zayn and Finn Balor, aimed to set an exciting tone but fell short, as Zayn's repetitive complaints and Balor's outdated references did not resonate well. Additionally, the involvement of GUNTHER and Nick Aldis in this segment felt cluttered, detracting from the buildup of their upcoming match.
Despite the chaotic opening, Aldis managed to lock GUNTHER in a Texas Cloverleaf, adding intensity to their rivalry. The show also highlighted the struggles of the tag team division, as a title match ended in a no contest, reflecting ongoing issues within the division. Meanwhile, Lash Legend qualified for the women's championship ladder match with a swift victory over Giulia, which raised concerns about the treatment of talent in the women's division. The episode concluded with a physical altercation between Cody Rhodes and CM Punk, providing a much-needed climax to their feud.
