Sami Zayn Wins WWE Title vs. Cody Rhodes, Gunther at Night of Champions

Live updates

1. 17d ago

   CM Punk Retains Undisputed WWE Championship at SummerSlam 2026

   CM Punk defeated Cody Rhodes on Night 1 of SummerSlam 2026 to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship. The match ended after Randy Orton returned to WWE programming for the first time since WrestleMania 42 in April. Orton intervened by hitting Rhodes with an RKO, allowing Punk to secure the victory. This result follows a period of escalating tension between Punk and Rhodes that included a brawl on the July 31 episode of SmackDown.

   Why it matters

   The championship match was the culmination of a rivalry between Punk and Rhodes. This event follows Sami Zayn's previous title win at Night of Champions.

   What is confirmed

   • CM Punk beat Cody Rhodes on Night 1 of SummerSlam 2026 to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship.
   • Randy Orton returned to WWE programming for the first time since WrestleMania 42 in April.
   • Randy Orton hit Cody Rhodes with an RKO during the match.

   What to watch next

   • Potential fallout between CM Punk and Randy Orton
   • Future title challenges for Cody Rhodes
   Sources used for this update (4)

   1. sports.yahoo.com — WWE SummerSlam Saturday Results 8/1 - Two Titles On The Line, Hell In A Cell Match & More
   2. www.aol.com — Breaking Down The Belts: CM Punk's Undisputed WWE Championship
   3. bleacherreport.com — Randy Orton Returns, Helps CM Punk Beat Cody Rhodes to Retain WWE Title at SummerSlam 2026
   4. sports.yahoo.com — WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night 1: 3 Things We Hated & 3 Things We Loved
   confidence 100%
2. 18d ago

   CM Punk and Cody Rhodes Brawl Ahead of SummerSlam Match

   CM Punk and Cody Rhodes engaged in a brawl during the July 31 episode of SmackDown. This confrontation builds toward their scheduled match for the Undisputed WWE Championship on Night 1 of SummerSlam 2026. The conflict follows Sami Zayn's recent world title win at Night of Champions and a planned title defense against Rhodes on Raw in Chicago. While betting odds suggest only one title change may occur during the SummerSlam event, the tension between Punk and Rhodes has intensified leading into the premium live event.

   Why it matters

   The Undisputed WWE Championship is currently held by CM Punk. Sami Zayn recently captured a world title at Night of Champions, shifting the championship hierarchy. Rhodes remains a central challenger across multiple title pursuits.

   What is confirmed

   • CM Punk and Cody Rhodes brawled during the July 31 episode of SmackDown.
   • CM Punk is scheduled to defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes on Night 1 of SummerSlam 2026.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Betting odds suggest only one title change will happen at SummerSlam 2026.

   What to watch next

   • Official match card and timings for SummerSlam 2026 Night 1
   • Outcome of the title defense on Raw in Chicago
   Sources used for this update (4)

   1. www.wrestlinginc.com — WWE SmackDown Results 7/31 - Damian Priest & R-Truth Defend WWE Tag Team Championship
   2. khelnow.com — WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night 1 - Preview, start time & where to watch
   3. sports.yahoo.com — WWE SummerSlam 2026 Betting Odds Suggest Only One Title Change
   4. www.cbssports.com — WWE SmackDown results, review, grades for July 31: CM Punk, Cody Rhodes brawl before SummerSlam
   confidence 90%
3. 18d ago

   CM Punk and Cody Rhodes Brawl Ahead of SummerSlam Clash

   CM Punk and Cody Rhodes engaged in a brawl during the July 31 episode of SmackDown. Punk is scheduled to defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Rhodes on Night 1 of SummerSlam 2026. This physical confrontation follows Sami Zayn's world title win at Night of Champions and Zayn's subsequent scheduled title defense against Rhodes on Raw in Chicago. The rivalry between Punk and Rhodes continues to escalate as the promotion moves toward the SummerSlam event.

   Why it matters

   Sami Zayn currently holds the world title after defeating Cody Rhodes and Gunther. The shift in championship focus now centers on CM Punk's defense of the Undisputed WWE Championship.

   What is confirmed

   • CM Punk and Cody Rhodes brawled on SmackDown on July 31.
   • CM Punk will defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes on Night 1 of SummerSlam 2026.

   What to watch next

   • SummerSlam 2026 Night 1 match results
   • Outcome of Sami Zayn's title defense against Cody Rhodes on Raw
   Sources used for this update (4)

   1. www.wrestlinginc.com — WWE SmackDown Results 7/31 - Damian Priest & R-Truth Defend WWE Tag Team Championship
   2. khelnow.com — WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night 1 - Preview, start time & where to watch
   3. sports.yahoo.com — WWE SummerSlam 2026 Betting Odds Suggest Only One Title Change
   4. www.cbssports.com — WWE SmackDown results, review, grades for July 31: CM Punk, Cody Rhodes brawl before SummerSlam
   confidence 100%
4. 20d ago

   CM Punk and Cody Rhodes Set for SummerSlam Undisputed Title Clash

   Sami Zayn won the world title at Night of Champions. CM Punk is now scheduled to defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes on Night 1 of SummerSlam. This follows Zayn's scheduled title defense against Rhodes on Raw in Chicago.

   What's confirmed:

   • CM Punk will face Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship on Night 1 of SummerSlam.
   • SummerSlam 2026 is a two-night event.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • Nick Aldis will make his in-ring debut in Minneapolis.
   Sources used for this update (4)

   1. WWE reveals full SummerSlam Night 1 and Night 2 cards with 12 official matches
   2. WWE SummerSlam 2026 predictions: Card breakdown with picks for Night 1, Night 2 matches
   3. WWE SummerSlam Final Card & Predictions, Unreal 2-Night PLE
   4. All superstars confirmed for WWE SmackDown (July 31, 2026) ft. CM Punk, R-Truth, Tiffany Stratton & more
   confidence 90%
5. 46d ago

   Sami Zayn Wins Undisputed WWE Championship at Night of Champions

   Sami Zayn captured his first world title at Night of Champions in Riyadh by pinning Cody Rhodes in a triple-threat match involving Gunther. Zayn appeared on the July 3 episode of SmackDown as the new champion. He is scheduled to defend the title against Rhodes on Monday's Raw in Chicago.

   What's confirmed:

   • Sami Zayn won the Undisputed WWE Championship at Night of Champions in Riyadh.
   • Zayn defeated Cody Rhodes and Gunther in a triple-threat match to win the title.
   • Sami Zayn pinned Cody Rhodes to secure the victory.
   • Zayn is scheduled to defend the WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes on Raw in Chicago this Monday.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • Cody Rhodes became the number one contender by defeating Jey Uso.
   Sources used for this update (17)

   1. WWE Night of Champions 2026 results: Live updates, winners list and grades on Saturday in Riyadh
   2. Sami Zayn Wins WWE Title vs. Cody Rhodes, Gunther at Night of Champions
   3. WWE Night of Champions takeaways: Zayn, Femi and Sky win big
   4. Sami Zayn shocks wrestling world, pulls off 'miracle' to win Undisputed WWE Championship at Night of Champions
   5. Photos: Rhodes, Zayn and Gunther collide in unforgettable title bout
   6. Kevin Owens and the Wrestling World React to Sami Zayn's WWE Title Win at Night of Champions
   7. When WWE actually wanted Sami Zayn to win the title before crowning him at Night of Champions
   8. Sami Zayn pins Cody Rhodes. Will Ospreay beats Swerve Strickland and ...
   9. WWE Fans Rally Behind Sami Zayn After Cody Rhodes Earns Title Shot
   10. Sami Zayn’s WWE Title Win Was ‘Need to Know’ Basis, Raising Backstage Concern — Report
   11. WWE SmackDown results, review, grades for July 3: Sami Zayn vs. Cody Rhodes booked for Raw
   12. Sami Zayn Set To Defend WWE Title On Raw In Chicago
   confidence 100%