Add as a preferred source on Google CM Punk may already have his first major challenger for the Undisputed WWE Championship lined up in WWE.
After defeating Sami Zayn in the main event of this past Monday Night RAW in Chicago and capturing the title in surprise fashion, Punk is expected to defend the championship against Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam.
According to PWInsider Elite, that was the expectation backstage after Raw:
“The expectation backstage after Raw was that CM Punk will defend the WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes at Summerslam next month, PWInsiderElite.com can confirm.”
The key point is that, according to the same update, this plan had already been locked in for some time. In other words, Punk’s win over Zayn was not simply a sudden change after Gunther’s attack on Rhodes.
The expectation backstage after RAW was that CM Punk will defend the WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam.
— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) July 7, 2026
It was said this has been locked in for some time.
(PWInsider) pic.twitter.com/RolaRfTnUH
On this week’s RAW, Cody was originally advertised to face Zayn for the Undisputed WWE Championship. However, Gunther brutally attacked him backstage, taking him out of the match. With that, Punk returned to WWE TV and was chosen as the replacement.
In the ring, Punk avoided a Helluva Kick, used Zayn’s own move, and finished the match with a Go To Sleep, scoring the pinfall and ending the Canadian star’s reign after just nine days.
It is also worth remembering that the rivalry between Punk and Rhodes had already been teased on Raw after WrestleMania 42, when the two exchanged words about a possible title opportunity.
This year’s SummerSlam will take place on Aug. 1 and Aug. 2 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.