WWE SmackDown aired live from the MVP Arena in Albany, New York, on July 17, 2026 [1], featuring key matchups ahead of Saturday Night's Main Event.

This episode served as the final build-up for the upcoming event at Madison Square Garden. The results establish the primary conflicts and stakes for the athletes competing this weekend, particularly regarding the championship landscape.

The evening's focal point was a high-stakes encounter between Cody Rhodes and Gunther. The match concluded in a no-contest after the intervention of Sami Zayn and CM Punk [2]. The chaos ensured that neither competitor walked away with a definitive victory, further intensifying the rivalry between the participants.

Yahoo Sports said that Cody Rhodes and Gunther set the stage for Saturday Night's Main Event [3]. The interference by Zayn and Punk suggests a wider web of conflict that will likely spill over into the weekend's proceedings at the Garden.

Other highlights from the Albany broadcast included a qualifier for the Interim Women's Championship ladder match featuring Tiffany Stratton [4]. The event combined in-ring action with strategic segments designed to maximize viewer anticipation for the upcoming premium live event.

Bleacher Report said the event was held live from MVP Arena in Albany, New York [5]. The atmosphere in the arena mirrored the tension between the superstars as they finalized their preparations for the New York City show.

With the go-home show complete, the focus now shifts to the tactical execution of these storylines. The unpredictable nature of the Rhodes and Gunther finish leaves the outcome of their next meeting open to multiple possibilities, especially with the continued presence of Punk and Zayn [2].

“Cody Rhodes and Gunther's match ended in no contest after Sami Zayn and CM Punk both got involved.”

The no-contest finish between Rhodes and Gunther is a classic booking tactic used to protect both athletes' momentum before a major event. By introducing Sami Zayn and CM Punk into the fray, WWE is expanding the narrative from a binary rivalry into a multi-man conflict, increasing the unpredictability of the match at Madison Square Garden.