Add as a preferred source on Google Cody Rhodes heads into WWE Night of Champions facing a problem that goes beyond a standard Undisputed WWE Championship defense. Gunther and Sami Zayn bring different threats to the table, which is why CM Punk’s presence, even indirectly, could be decisive in keeping the title in the hands of the American Nightmare.
The Triple Threat Match is already built on chaos. Gunther has felt robbed since Clash in Italy, when his foot was under the rope and the referee missed it. Sami entered the picture as the special guest referee, cost The Ring General his rematch, and then attacked both men. In other words, Cody is not just defending the title. He is caught in the middle of two separate crises.
That is where Punk could come in.
Since the RAW after WrestleMania 42, when Cody confronted him following his loss to Roman Reigns, the idea of a major rivalry between them has been too big to treat as a throwaway tease. Punk wants to get back to the top, Cody still holds the company’s top title, and SummerSlam feels like the ideal stage for that match.
The cleanest way to get there would be simple: Punk helps Cody without turning it into a friendship. During the match, Sami could try to recreate the chaos from SmackDown, while Gunther comes close to regaining the title. Punk could appear to stop Sami from making a decisive interference, or even to take Gunther out of an unfair advantage, allowing Cody to finish the match on his own.
That route protects everyone. Gunther can still complain, Sami keeps sinking deeper into his own obsession, and Cody retains without looking weak. Punk, however, would leave Saudi Arabia with a clear reason to demand his shot: he kept Cody champion because he wants to beat him for the title, with no excuses and no third party in the way.
For WWE, it would be the kind of finish that settles Night of Champions while also selling SummerSlam. Cody vs. Punk for the Undisputed WWE Championship already feels big enough. With Punk positioned as the man who saved Cody’s title reign, the rivalry would get the missing ingredient it needs.