Kevin Owens Returns at SummerSlam, Wins Undisputed WWE Title No. 1 Contender Match

Kevin Owens made his long-awaited return to the ring at WWE SummerSlam on Sunday, profitable a Fatal 4-Way match to arrange a future title match towards Undisputed WWE Champion CM Punk.

The bout was initially billed as a one-on-one showdown between Sami Zayn and Finn Bálor, with the winner incomes a shot at Punk’s championship. WWE expanded the match right into a Fatal 4-Way by including Gunther and, in a shock twist, Owens, in keeping with Cageside Seats. Owens’ entrance marked his first match again after a prolonged absence.

With 4 males within the ring as an alternative of two, the trail to the title alternative grew to become far much less predictable. Owens finally pinned Zayn to win the match, hitting his signature Stunner for the end, Cageside Seats reported. The result’s mirrored on WWE’s official SummerSlam 2026 card.

The win places Owens straight in line for a shot at Punk’s Undisputed WWE Championship. No date for that match has been set.

Owens’ comeback provides one other title to a rising record of stars circling Punk’s title reign, which has turn out to be one of the contested storylines on WWE’s roster this 12 months. Bálor, Zayn and Gunther every had a case to stroll away with the chance, and the four-way format meant Owens did not have to beat all three cleanly — solely discover the pin.

For now, the main focus shifts to how quickly WWE books the Owens-Punk matchup, and whether or not Zayn, Bálor or Gunther issue again into the story earlier than then.