During WWE’s recent television tapings for this week’s episode of SmackDown, following the post-WWE Night of Champions episode of RAW, “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes faced “Main Event” Jey Uso in an Undisputed WWE Championship #1 Contender’s Match. The winner would go on to challenge the new Undisputed WWE Champion, Sami Zayn, for his title on Monday Night RAW next week in Chicago. Rhodes defeated Uso and will now face Zayn.
According to Dave Meltzer in the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, it was always the plan for Cody Rhodes to face CM Punk for the Undisputed WWE Championship at SummerSlam 2026. Meltzer mentioned he is uncertain whether Zayn’s title victory at Night of Champions has changed those plans or if a new champion will be crowned on RAW.
He also indicated that ever since Punk’s segment with Rhodes after WrestleMania 42, and Punk’s absence from television following the April premium live event, the intent was always for Punk to return and set up a main event match with Rhodes at SummerSlam. Meltzer added that two other major matches planned for the event were Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins and Brock Lesnar vs. Oba Femi, both of which were officially announced during last Monday night’s RAW.
Punk is rumored to make his WWE TV return next week on Monday Night RAW, which will take place in his hometown of Chicago at the Allstate Arena. Meltzer speculated that Punk will “theoretically” appear on the show, potentially setting up a transition to the SmackDown roster and a likely main event title match at SummerSlam against Rhodes. This would suggest that Zayn may have a very short title reign, losing the championship just eight days after winning it for the first time in his career at Night of Champions. WWE has not officially announced Punk’s return for next week.