Sami Zayn to Defend WWE Championship Against Cody Rhodes on Raw

Sami Zayn is set to defend his WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes on the upcoming episode of Raw. This title match comes just a week after Zayn's victory at Night of Champions. Cody earned his shot by defeating Jey Uso on Smackdown, leading to this exciting matchup. Speculation surrounds the potential return of CM Punk, who may also be involved in future championship scenarios. With Roman Reigns also defending his title against Seth Rollins, the wrestling world is buzzing with anticipation for these high-stakes encounters.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 30, 2026, 20:46 IST

Upcoming Title Defense for Sami Zayn

Just over a week after claiming his first world championship, Sami Zayn is preparing for his inaugural title defense against Cody Rhodes on next week's episode of Raw. Cody secured this opportunity by defeating Jey Uso during Smackdown. The taping for this week's Smackdown occurred immediately following Monday Night Raw, with the show set to stream on Friday (July 3). In the number one contender's match, Cody triumphed over Jey Uso, leading to the surprising decision by WWE to schedule the title bout for Raw instead of Smackdown, despite both competitors being part of the blue brand.

This strategic move by WWE suggests a significant return may be on the horizon, with CM Punk potentially making his way back to the organization. The former champion has hinted at pursuing the Undisputed WWE Championship following Wrestlemania 42. After a two-month hiatus from WWE, Punk appears ready to return, possibly in a championship match during the summer's biggest event, which could see Sami lose his title to Cody. Additionally, WWE might consider a triple-threat match featuring Cody, Punk, and Sami, even if Sami loses his championship.

Sami's Championship Victory at Night of Champions

Sami Zayn captured the WWE Championship by defeating Cody Rhodes and Gunther in the main event at Night of Champions, securing the victory with a roll-up maneuver. While Cody is gearing up for a rematch, Gunther has stepped away from the title contention for now. The Ring General recently attacked Smackdown General Manager Nick Aldis, who is currently off-screen but is expected to return before SummerSlam. A potential one-on-one clash between Aldis and Gunther could take place at SummerSlam 2026.

WWE has also confirmed that Roman Reigns will defend his World Heavyweight Championship against Seth Rollins, which may mark their final one-on-one encounter. Rollins had to relinquish the title due to an injury sustained at Crown Jewel 2025.