WWE SummerSlam results: Randy Orton helps CM Punk beat Cody Rhodes to retain Undisputed WWE Title

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Randy Orton made his first appearance since WrestleMania 42 with a surprise return Saturday at WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night 1 in U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Toward the end of CM Punk's Undisputed WWE Championship match against Cody Rhodes, Orton returned with an RKO that sealed Rhodes’ fate in a Punk title defense.

Rhodes sold his wrist very early into the match, making him seem legitimately hurt after some technical lock-up work. Punk teased a quick GTS and was countered into a headlock rollover that continued the match's slow-burn start.

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Punk ate a suicide dive on the outside to initiate a brief ringside sequence, ending with Punk landing a flying xlothesline off the barricade. Rhodes rolled back into the ring and took a slow-motion double axe-handle.

A Punk jumping back kick led to him playing into a mid-match knee injury, with Rhodes proceeding to target it. Another Dragon Screw put Punk on the mat after he failed to lift Rhodes for a GTS, and the crowd started to boo while Rhodes controlled.

Rhodes saw a disaster kick countered when Punk booted him to the body for an odd counter. Punk followed with a bulldog and scoop slam before he went up top. It looked like a Rhodes superplex was on deck, until “The American Nightmare” was punched to the mat to take a big diving elbow drop.

A Cody Cutter eventually found its mark for a near-fall. The disaster kick landed for another near-fall, leading to a top-rope Cody Cutter for a third straight near-fall. That forced Rhodes to go for his first Cross Rhodes, but Punk countered as they went through exchanges that ended with a Punk GTS getting countered into a figure-four leglock. To escape, Punk did the classic rollover counter and found the ropes.

Rhodes attempted another figure-four, landing him in an Anaconda Vice counter from Punk. A foot on the bottom rope saved Rhodes before Punk unleashed corner strikes.

A spinning Alabama Slam attempt landed Rhodes in another Anaconda Vice — this time in the center of the ring. Punk gave it up and rolled into a jackknife pin, a bridge-up, and a beautiful Cross Rhodes reversal near-fall that woke up Minnesota down the stretch.

Out of nowhere, Punk attempted a horrific moonsault that nearly took Rhodes' head off with Punk’s knees.

Punk found his first GTS, but Rhodes kicked out and went outside, taking a beating on the announce table. They sought their finishers outside the ring, which would have helped no one but Punk, as the champion can't lose via count-out. After Rhodes tossed Punk into the steps, he broke the count and removed the announce table cover.

When Rhodes reentered the ring, he walked into another GTS, but found the rope for the pin break. Punk set Rhodes on the announce table and looked at the ring post for the diving elbow. Instead, Rhodes rolled out of the way, completely smashing Punk through the table.

Near the end, Rhodes hit an accidental Cody Cutter on the referee before eating a GTS. He followed it with the Cross Rhodes, which rolled Punk out of the ring — and in stormed a returning Orton, who struck with a big RKO.

From there, another GTS landed to secure Punk the win off the slowest three-count you'll ever see.

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