With WWE Money In The Bank 2026 just over a month away, it seems that things are up in the air in the main event picture on Friday Night SmackDown.
While CM Punk currently holds the Undisputed WWE Championship, he has several different top names gunning for the gold.
When WWE makes their way to New Orleans on October 10, it should be interesting to see who might stand across the ring from “The Best In The World.”
Here are eight potential CM Punk WWE Money In The Bank opponents.
8. Finn Balor
Earlier this year, Finn Balor threw his name back into the world title picture in a major way.
In Dublin, Ireland and at WWE Elimination Chamber 2026, CM Punk defeated Balor to retain the World Heavyweight Championship.
While he came up short, Balor did not rest on his laurels and has been on the hunt for another title shot since making the move to Friday Night SmackDown.
With renewed focus, Balor could be just one win away from getting his next crack at Punk this time for the Undisputed WWE Championship at Money In The Bank 2026.
7. Baron Corbin
In July, Baron Corbin made his return to WWE and immediately went after championship gold.
Then at WWE SummerSlam 2026, Corbin defeated Trick Williams to win the United States Championship.
Now that he is back and a champion, Corbin might want to become a double titleholder.
Challenging CM Punk for the Undisputed WWE Championship at Money In The Bank, Corbin has the size, experience and motivation to take down “The Best In The World” for good.
6. Trick Williams
Speaking of Baron Corbin, Trick Williams has been embroiled in a feud with the returning WWE star.
Since arriving on the WWE main roster, Williams has made it clear that he wants to become a world champion.
After losing the US Title, Trick might think it is time to move on up the ladder.
Trick challenging CM Punk for the Undisputed WWE Championship would make for an intriguing first time meeting at WWE Money In The Bank 2026.
5. Cody Rhodes
At WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night One, CM Punk defeated Cody Rhodes to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship.
This win came as a result of the returning Randy Orton attacking his rival Rhodes to cost him the title and match.
Now, Rhodes is set to settle the score with Orton when they face each other at WWE Sunday Night’s Main Event on September 6.
A win against Orton could set up Rhodes to “just say when” to Punk for his rematch at WWE Money In The Bank 2026.
4. Randy Orton
Another individual who has made it clear that he wants a title rematch is Randy Orton.
At WWE WrestleMania 42 Night One, Orton came up short against Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
“The Legend Killer” has now come back to WWE on a mission to destroy Rhodes and win his 15th world title.
After disposing of Cody at WWE Sunday Night’s Main Event, Orton might move on to challenge Punk for the gold at Money In The Bank 2026 in New Orleans.
3. GUNTHER
After WrestleMania 42, GUNTHER made the jump to Friday Night SmackDown, looking for a shot at the Undisputed WWE Championship.
In three attempts at the gold, “The Ring General” failed to beat Cody Rhodes and Sami Zayn to claim the title.
Then at WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night Two, GUNTHER was unable to become the number one contender in a four-way that was won by Kevin Owens.
Now that CM Punk has the Undisputed WWE Championship, GUNTHER could have the chance to avenge his SummerSlam 2025 loss and win the top prize on SmackDown at Money In The Bank on October 10.
2. Kevin Owens
At WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night Two, Kevin Owens made his return to defeat Sami Zayn, GUNTHER and Finn Balor to become the number one contender for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
In front of his family and friends in Toronto, Owens lost to CM Punk for the gold thanks in large part to outside interference from Sami Zayn on the August 21 SmackDown.
“The Prizefighter”has made it clear that he still wants a rematch and wants his hands on Punk.
KO being the one to challenge Punk at WWE Money In The Bank 2026 would be a high profile main event for this premium live event.
1. Sami Zayn
Back on the July 6 episode of WWE Raw, CM Punk defeated Sami Zayn to win the Undisputed WWE Championship.
Since then, Zayn has been seething at the fact that management has not given him an automatic rematch.
Feeling screwed over, this led to Zayn interfering in the CM Punk vs. Kevin Owens Undisputed WWE Championship on the August 21 SmackDown and the triple threat number one contender’s match on the August 28 episode.
After laying out “The Best In The World” for a second week in a row, Zayn should be in line for his long awaited rematch against Punk for the title at Money In The Bank 2026.
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