Cody Rhodes remains as one of the biggest stars in WWE today and should be in line for a high profile match at SummerSlam 2026.
As the reigning Undisputed WWE Champion, “The American Nightmare” could encounter a number of different stars on the roster.
From former friends to long-term rivals, SummerSlam 2026 should see Rhodes face one of the toughest tests in Minneapolis.
Here are eight potential Cody Rhodes WWE SummerSlam 2026 opponents.
8. GUNTHER
At WWE Clash In Italy 2026, Cody Rhodes defeated GUNTHER to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship.
This win was disputed after the fact thanks to GUNTHER’s leg being underneath the ropes during the winning pinfall of the match.
The Ring General has found himself getting another title opportunity with Sami Zayn as the special guest referee on the June 19 episode of WWE SmackDown.
Whether he walks out of the match with the Undisputed WWE Championship or not, this could lead to another showdown between Cody and GUNTHER at SummerSlam 2026.
7. Sami Zayn
Sami Zayn has never held a world championship in WWE.
Ever since losing to Undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre at Royal Rumble 2026, Sami Zayn has been expressing his frustrations and led to several different arguments with his former friend Cody Rhodes.
Things came to a head when Rhodes defeated Zayn in a non-title match and GUNTHER put Cody in a sleeper as Sami watched on and walked away.
This led to a confrontation with the two where Zayn and Rhodes traded slaps and insults with one another on the June 12 edition of Friday Night SmackDown.
While it looks like fans are on the road to seeing a three-way bout also including GUNTHER, things might reach an even further boiling point where Sami Zayn faces Cody Rhodes in a grudge match at WWE SummerSlam 2026.
6. Trick Williams
Since arriving on Friday Night SmackDown at the start of the year, Trick Williams has emerged as one of the most popular stars on the WWE roster today.
At WWE WrestleMania 42 Night Two, Williams defeated Sami Zayn to win the United States Championship.
Despite having challengers after his gold, Trick has made it no secret that he wants to become a world champion.
Trick challenging Rhodes in a champion vs. champion battle sounds appealing enough to be the headliner for the WWE SummerSlam 2026 premium live event.
5. Drew McIntyre
SmackDown at KeyBank Center on January 2, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by WWE)
Back on the March 6 episode of Friday Night SmackDown, Cody Rhodes defeated Drew McIntyre to win back the Undisputed WWE Championship.
The Scottish Warrior has yet to receive a rematch for the title since losing the title prior to WrestleMania 42.
Having been absent since his loss to Jacob Fatu in an Unsanctioned Match at ‘Mania, McIntyre could reinsert himself in the mix for another shot at the top prize on Friday Night SmackDown.
McIntyre trying to recapture the gold over Cody Rhodes would put a bow on this feud that has spanned the past year.
4. Randy Orton
At WWE WrestleMania 42 Night One, Cody Rhodes defeated Randy Orton to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship.
After the loss, Orton laid out Rhodes with a title belt to the skull and a Punt Kick.
Despite standing tall to close Mania, fans have not seen Orton back in a WWE ring ever since then.
The Legend Killer coming back to take down Cody for his 15th world title would feel like an important main event for one of the nights at WWE SummerSlam.
3. Jey Uso
Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso were Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions together for nine days in October 2023.
Roman Reigns has reunited with The Usos to reform The Bloodline, which has led to the family being brought back together.
Wanting to see his cousin become a world champion again, Reigns has sent Jey Uso on the mission of winning the King of the Ring Tournament to challenge for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
With the story of Jey trying to bring the title to The Bloodline, that might be enough for Uso to have the drive and determination to get by Je’Von Evans, Dominik Mysterio and Oba Femi to win the crown and get the title shot at SummerSlam.
Jey facing Cody would be a battle of friends who are torn apart by obligations to their families.
2. Oba Femi
At WWE WrestleMania 42 Night Two, Oba Femi defeated Brock Lesnar in what was the biggest win of his career so far.
Then on the Mania post show, Femi put his sights firmly on winning a world title as his next goal.
While he previously called out Roman Reigns and the World Heavyweight Championship, The Ruler also has unfinished business with Cody Rhodes.
After their first encounter was interrupted at the December 13, 2025 edition of WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, Femi could be the one to not only challenge but also defeat Rhodes to win the Undisputed WWE Championship at SummerSlam.
1. CM Punk
On the April 20 WWE Raw After WrestleMania 42, Cody Rhodes and CM Punk had an in-ring confrontation that saw them tease a future Undisputed WWE Championship match.
While Punk came up short against Roman Reigns at Mania, he is still one of the biggest stars in WWE today and well deserving of another world title opportunity.
Whether it comes through number one contendership or Rhodes giving his friend a crack, this would be a highly anticipated main event for SummerSlam that fans will want to see.
Punk challenging Cody would make for a compelling story to tell considering all of their history and past interactions over the past few years.
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