Add as a preferred source on Google Finn Bálor vs. Sami Zayn isn’t expected to play out as a straightforward No. 1 contender’s match on night two of SummerSlam.
Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that WWE has a major angle planned for the match. According to Meltzer, the announced format is being changed and multiple twists are in store. He did not say whether another name is being added or whether the No. 1 contender stipulation itself is being altered.
The match was announced to determine the next challenger for CM Punk’s Undisputed WWE Championship, and Bálor and Zayn are also slated to open Sunday’s show on Aug. 2 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
Gunther is another piece of the puzzle. After Punk retained over Cody Rhodes on night one, WWE teased a possible face-to-face between Punk and Gunther, but Meltzer said that was misdirection and that Punk vs. Gunther isn’t expected to happen until further down the line.
Who will become the No. 1 Contender to the Undisputed WWE Championship TONIGHT at #SummerSlam? Will it be @FinnBalor or @SamiZayn?#SummerSlam streams TONIGHT at 6PM ET/3PM PT on the @espn App with ESPN Unlimited! pic.twitter.com/N78OFNozq8
— WWE (@WWE) August 2, 2026
The Ring General’s presence in the story wasn’t a throwaway, either. On the July 31 episode of Friday Night SmackDown, Gunther laid out both Bálor and Zayn during their final confrontation ahead of SummerSlam.
Bálor earned his spot by winning a Fatal 4-Way on the July 24 SmackDown. Zayn, meanwhile, was handed a chance to get the title back after initially being told he’d have to work his way back into the picture.
However it shakes out, the SummerSlam opener figures to shape WWE’s direction with Punk and the Undisputed WWE Championship coming out of the weekend.