Add as a preferred source on Google Sami Zayn is expected to remain Undisputed WWE Champion after the next Monday Night RAW, despite a title defense scheduled against Cody Rhodes.
The match will take place next Monday, July 6, at Allstate Arena in Chicago, where both Cody and Zayn are officially advertised by WWE. Rhodes earned the opportunity by defeating Jey Uso on the latest Friday Night SmackDown, becoming the new champion’s first challenger.
The decision drew attention because of how quickly Zayn’s first title defense is coming after his win. The Canadian star defeated Cody Rhodes and Gunther in a Triple Threat Match at Night of Champions, capturing WWE’s top title for the first time in his career.
According to a new backstage update, however, Zayn is not expected to lose the Undisputed WWE Championship to Rhodes on next week’s RAW. That goes against the initial speculation that his reign could last only nine days.
🚨 Sami Zayn isn't expected to drop the Undisputed WWE Title to Cody rhoades on next week's Monday Night Raw pic.twitter.com/f7xUEz23Rk
— GoM 2077 𖤐 (@PlayerCoachTM) July 4, 2026
The reason for the doubt was clear. Before Zayn’s win in Riyadh, the most talked-about plan for SummerSlam involved Cody Rhodes facing CM Punk for the title. Dave Meltzer had indicated that the match had been in the plans for months, with Punk returning in Chicago to begin the road to the August premium live event.
Still, the current situation appears to favor Zayn continuing as champion. It is also worth remembering that WWE is no longer working with the idea of having him lose the title to Brock Lesnar before SummerSlam.
In other words, even with Cody receiving an immediate rematch and Punk expected on the same show, the belief is that RAW in Chicago will be used more to advance the next chapters of the title picture than to end Zayn’s reign so quickly.