A brief off-mic exchange between CM Punk and Kevin Owens on the latest episode of WWE SmackDown has added another layer of intensity to what is likely to become one of WWE’s most compelling rivalries.

Now, a video posted on X is doing the rounds showing exactly what was said between the two Superstars in the middle of the ring when they weren’t talking directly down the microphone to those in attendance and those watching on TV around the world.

The video captures the two wrestlers engaged in a heated conversation, with the tension between them appearing unmistakably personal. What makes the clip particularly intriguing, however, is that the exchange takes place away from the polished presentation of a traditional wrestling promo, giving fans a glimpse of the animosity that exists beneath the scripted spectacle.

Kevin Owens Returns to Set Up CM Punk Feud

The timing could hardly be more significant. Kevin Owens recently returned to WWE after a lengthy absence and immediately established himself as the No. 1 contender for the WWE Championship. His victory at SummerSlam set up a championship match against CM Punk, who had recently returned himself and reclaimed the WWE Championship.

Their confrontation on SmackDown made clear that this will not be an ordinary title feud. Owens questioned Punk’s character and suggested that the champion had not genuinely changed. Punk, in turn, reminded Owens of his own accomplishments and argued that wrestlers such as him had benefitted from the path he helped create. The exchange eventually became physical before WWE personnel intervened.

Screenshot via X

The off-mic footage, therefore, carries additional weight. Fans are accustomed to wrestlers trading insults during televised promos, but moments that appear less rehearsed can make a rivalry feel considerably more authentic.

Punk and Owens have also acknowledged over the years that they are not particularly close. Owens previously described the pair as not being friends and said they were simply not each other’s type of people.

That history gives their current storyline an unusual foundation. Rather than manufacturing hostility from scratch, WWE can draw upon years of tension and mutual distrust. The result is a feud that feels less like a conventional good-versus-evil story and more like two strong personalities finally being placed on a collision course.

The viral video may be short, but it reinforces an important point: CM Punk versus Kevin Owens has the potential to become one of WWE’s most genuinely heated rivalries. With the WWE Championship at stake, personal history in the background, and both men seemingly unwilling to back down, their eventual showdown promises to be far more than a title match.

Despite just 11 races of the 2026 season being completed, one constructor is already writing off their chances.

After 11 rounds, Red Bull have reportedly internally accepted defeat with their 2026 car. They are yet to win a race this year and currently sit fourth in the standings and over 200 points behind Mercedes in first. They have secured just four podiums, all of which have been achieved by Max Verstappen.

This is their debut season with their in-house power unit and, as a result, Laurent Mekies reigned in ambitions and downplayed their chances coming into the season. However, it has not been the engine that has given Red Bull headaches, but the chassis.

Team Giving Up on 2026 Season Already

Crdit: Alessio De Marco/Sipa USA

According to F1 Insider, there is an acquiescence within RB22 that the car is a ‘flop‘ despite the fact that the season is not yet halfway done.

The Milton Keyes outfit have introduced more upgrades than any other constructor this year, but the hopes that the upgrades might be a magic bullet for their problems appear to now be dashed. Verstappen, despite three podiums in the four races leading up to the summer break, is still steadfast in his criticisms and frustrations of the car. At the Hungarian Grand Prix just before the break, both him and Isack Hadjar labeled the car ‘undriveable.’

Red Bull’s technical department, led by Pierre Wache, planned ‘numerous development stages’ in an effort to make the car more ‘driveable’, but to no avail.

Red Bull Made Impressive Comeback in 2025

Red Bull optimists can take some comfort from recent history, however. They currently sit just 15 points worse off than at this stage last year, when aggressive upgrades allowed Verstappen to chase down the two McLaren drivers who sat top of the table.

The Dutchman at one point trailed the lead by 104 points before a remarkable resurgence ended with him finishing the season just two points behind world champion Lando Norris. Verstappen is now 110 points off Kimi Antonelli, yet it is very hard to imagine a similar scenario to last season panning out.

Red Bull hope to have acces to ADUO (Additional Developmental and Upgrade Opportunities), a mechanism that allows manufacturers lagging behind the benchmark ICE to catch up. They were previously regarded as the benchmark, but that title is likely to belong to Mercedes when the FIA publishes the ranking.

Credit: REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki

Given the internal air of resignation towards the current car, there is an argument that funds and dedication should be poured into next year’s car rather than waste more resources on the white elephant that is the RB22.

The regulations are largely remaining consistent, unlike last year when they underwent an overhaul. However, there will still be impactful changes, so gains can be made by prioritsing resources for the 2027 car.

Verstappen, of course, can activate his exit clause in October, so Red Bull have reasons to focus upgrades on the current car to keep the four-time world champion happy in the short term, but with many rival seats opening up in 2028, next year’s car may also be salient in whether Verstappen stays at Red Bull.

Aston Villa are stepping up their interest in a move to sign Bayern Munich outcast Joao Palhinha ahead of Newcastle, who are focusing on a deal for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, GIVEMESPORT sources understand.

The Villans have had a busy summer window after losing Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne and Morgan Rogers, bringing in Joao Gomes, Johan Manzambi, and Alejandro Garnacho, while Unai Emery is still keen to make further additions before the transfer deadline after Amadou Onana was ruled out for the majority of the campaign due to an ACL injury.

That has seen the midfield become a priority in the final weeks of the window, and the club are now pushing to get a deal over the line for a familiar face.

Aston Villa Pushing for Palhinha Deal

via Reuters

Palhinha, who has been described as ‘world-class’, spent last season on loan at Tottenham Hotspur and scored the crucial goals that kept them in the Premier League. But the north London club opted against making his move permanent after signing Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, meaning he returned to parent club Bayern.

But the German side have made it clear that the 37-cap Portugal international has no future at the Allianz Arena, and they are desperate to offload him this month.

Clubs in Portugal have found a deal too difficult to do financially, while Newcastle United have also shown an interest in taking him to St James’ Park. However, GMS understands that Villa are the frontrunners for his signature, and they are now pushing to find an agreement with the Bundesliga champions, with talks progressing.

Newcastle, meanwhile, are now prioritising a move to sign Denmark international Hojbjerg from Marseille, having held talks with the Ligue 1 side, GMS understands.

The Magpies are looking to replace Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes, who left for Tottenham and Arsenal respectively in deals worth a combined £175m in this window, and new manager Matthias Jaissle has identified Hojbjerg as someone he wants in his squad, and the 31-year-old is now seen as a leading target.

Cairney: Palhinha ‘One of the Best’

via Reuters

During his time at Fulham in his first stint in the Premier League, Palhinha established himself as one of the best defensive midfielders in the division.

A move to Bayern ultimately hasn’t worked out, which has seen his reputation take a hit. However, it’s clear that he still has the quality to make an impact at the highest level, with Tom Cairney singing his praises.

“If you lose the ball, he smells blood,” Cairney said.

“He doesn’t just put pressure on them, he goes back to win the ball and does the tackle.

“It’s amazing to watch sometimes. I think the fans have taken to him. I think he’s been a breath of fresh air in the Premier League.”

Stats courtesy of StatMuse– correct as of 10/08/2026