Who Will Rise Above Under the Hot Sun at Night One of SummerSlam 2026?
WWE brings the Biggest Party of the Summer to Minneapolis as U.S. Bank Stadium hosts two nights of SummerSlam 2026. The first of the two nights will feature two world title matches and the return of WWE’s most sadistic structure. SummerSlam 2026 will also feature a general manager’s first match in WWE against one of the most dangerous men in the business. Who will claim bragging rights and which superstars will walk out with gold around their waists in Minneapolis?
CM Punk vs. Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship
The main event of night one of SummerSlam 2026 will feature two of WWE’s biggest stars of their generation. Both men had to leave WWE under different circumstances but later returned bigger and better than ever. Their paths only crossed once during Royal Rumble 2024, where Cody Rhodes threw CM Punk over the top rope to win the Royal Rumble match. Since that moment, both men avoided each other, but at SummerSlam 2026, their paths will finally collide. ‘The American Nightmare’ looks to regain the title he lost at Night of Champions 2026. When he was given the opportunity to challenge for the title once again, he was attacked by Gunther, postponing his world title opportunity. However, the world title match that was promised that day still happened, as Punk filled in and won the title off of Sami Zayn, who had just captured the title just nine days prior. Punk has now given Rhodes that world title opportunity he never got, and both men will do battle for just the third time in WWE history. With Punk just having won the title, it’s too early for him to lose it. Also, there might be other factors that go into play that could cost Rhodes the match, giving Punk the edge in this encounter.
Prediction: Punk retains
Liv Morgan vs. Iyo Sky for the Women’s World Championship
Liv Morgan might have her days numbered as Women’s World Champion. She entered the 2026 Queen of the Ring Tournament with the intention of winning it all and challenging Rhea Ripley for the WWE Women’s Championship to become a double champion. However, those plans changed when Iyo Sky defeated Morgan in the finals of the tournament. Sky made her intentions known that she had already beaten Morgan and she would do it again for the title at SummerSlam 2026. Morgan comes into this match with an advantage, as she is sure to have her fellow Judgment Day partners interfere in the match to aid her. Sky might be outnumbered, but her ring intelligence will be just enough to pull off the win and win the championship.
Prediction: Sky wins the title
Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar in a Hell in a Cell match
‘The Ruler’ Oba Femi walks into Brock Lesnar’s hometown of Minneapolis to compete in arguably the biggest match of his career. After defeating Lesnar at WrestleMania 42 and seemingly sending ‘The Beast Incarnate’ into retirement, Femi was stunned when Lesnar made a surprise return and attacked him, setting up a second encounter between the two. Lesnar picked up the win at Clash in Italy, tying their encounters at one apiece. Femi tried doing his own thing, even winning the 2026 King of the Ring Tournament, but he decided to let a world title opportunity go just to have another go at Lesnar. The match was made official, but under the stipulation that the bout take place inside Hell in a Cell. While Femi is walking into his first Hell in a Cell match, Lesnar is no stranger to the demonic structure, as he has two wins inside the cell against The Undertaker. Although Lesnar will look to have a perfect homecoming, he could end up putting Femi over and calling it a career in front of his hometown crowd. A win for Femi further pushes him into the stratosphere.
Prediction: Femi wins
Gunther vs. Nick Aldis
For the past year, Aldis has dealt with many detractors as SmackDown general manager, even against those who question his authority. Although many have stepped back, one man decided to actually do something about it. ‘The Ring General’ Gunther made it his mission to go after Rhodes and the Undisputed WWE Championship. After failing to capture the title, he continued his relentless attacks against ‘The American Nightmare’. Aldis decided to give Gunther another world title opportunity, but also added Zayn into the mix, who was having problems with Rhodes at the time. Gunther had to watch Zayn take the title off of Rhodes, and when he demanded a proper world title opportunity and wasn’t given it, he took his frustration out on Aldis, attacking him and putting him to sleep. Aldis responded by costing Gunther a tag team match that would have seen ‘The Ring General’ and ‘The Last Real Good Guy’ be added to the world title match at SummerSlam 2026. Gunther once again decided to attack Aldis, setting up a match between the two. Aldis has yet to compete in a WWE ring, and it has been years since he last competed in a match, so the ring rust will definitely be visible. He will suffer in the match and even have a feel-good moment during a possible comeback in the match, but in the end, it will be Gunther standing tall with his hand raised high.
Prediction: Gunther wins
The Bella Twins and Paige vs. Fatal Influence
Fatal Influence has risen to the top of the SmackDown Women’s Division very quickly. From tormenting Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss to taking the Women’s Tag Team titles off of Brie Bella and Paige, they continue to prove that they belong on the main roster. Brie and Paige wanted another shot at the tag titles, but understood that they were outnumbered. This was until the return of Nikki Bella changed that narrative. Nikki, who was forced to miss WrestleMania 42 due to an injury, wants nothing more than to step back into the ring and fight alongside her twin sister, and at SummerSlam 2026, she will have that opportunity when she competes in a six-women tag team match. A win for Nikki and her team would be a nice addition to her return, but with Fatal Influence’s impact on SmackDown, it’s only right that the heels go over and continue their push towards brand domination.
Prediction: Fatal Influence wins
The Bloodline vs. L.A. Knight, Solo Sikoa and Royce Keys
The continuing rise of The Bloodline on Raw has not sat well with many on the roster, including L.A. Knight. For years, he’s attempted to put a stop to their dominance, but to no avail. At SummerSlam 2026, he will not be alone, as he has found two tag partners that aren’t on the same page as The Bloodline. Although Royce Keys still has some animosity against Solo Sikoa, he understands that The Bloodline are a much bigger threat. Sikoa has his own personal reasons to go after The Bloodline, as he was once a member before turning on them and creating his own path. Although the three men’s hate towards The Bloodline is strong, it will be no match against The Usos and Jacob Fatu, who have threatened to destroy anyone who steps up to them.
