Heading towards WWE SummerSlam 2026, Cody Rhodes currently sits atop of Friday Night SmackDown as the Undisputed WWE Champion.
With several different challengers looking to take his gold and new stars trying to break the glass ceiling, there could be any number of plans in the waiting for “The American Nightmare” before the company gets to SummerSlam 2026.
From title feuds to the continuation of rivalries, Rhodes will be quite busy on the road to Minneapolis this August.
Here are six potential Cody Rhodes WWE plans before SummerSlam 2026.
6. Continue Feud With Sami Zayn
Ever since losing to Drew McIntyre for the Undisputed WWE Championship at Royal Rumble 2026, Sami Zayn has expressed frustrations over his failures to win the top prize in the company.
Over the past few months, there have been several notable interactions between Zayn and Cody Rhodes.
This has led to GUNTHER choosing Zayn as the special guest referee for his Undisputed WWE Championship match on the June 19 edition of Friday Night SmackDown.
Rhodes continuing his feud with Zayn would be quite intriguing and could be the closest Sami has gotten to the WWE Title in his career.
5. Regaining The Undisputed WWE Championship From GUNTHER
As previously mentioned, the June 19 episode of Friday Night SmackDown will feature Cody Rhodes defending the Undisputed WWE Championship against GUNTHER with Sami Zayn as the special guest referee.
Considering the odds against Rhodes in this upcoming title bout, this should lead to “The Ring General” finally winning the top prize on SmackDown from Rhodes.
If he does lose the gold to GUNTHER, Rhodes will be hellbent on getting his hands back on the WWE Title at some point ahead of WWE SummerSlam 2026.
Cody regaining the title from GUNTHER will become his main focus over the coming months before the company gets to the WWE SummerSlam 2026 premium live event.
4. Rematch With Drew McIntyre
On the March 6 episode of Friday Night SmackDown, Cody Rhodes defeated Drew McIntyre to win the Undisputed WWE Championship.
Then at WWE WrestleMania 42 Night One, Jacob Fatu defeated McIntyre in an Unsanctioned Match.
Since that loss, McIntyre has not been seen on WWE television with no signs of his return.
“The Scottish Warrior” returning and challenging Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship could make for a compelling rematch and feud in the months leading into SummerSlam 2026.
3. Rekindling Rivalry With Randy Orton
At WWE WrestleMania 42 Night One, Cody Rhodes defeated Randy Orton to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship.
Post match, Orton attacked Rhodes with a title belt shot to the head and the Punt Kick to leave him laying.
“The Legend Killer” has not been seen on the company’s programming in the weeks following Mania.
Orton’s return should lead to the rivalry with Rhodes being rekindled and becoming a meaningful focus on WWE TV moving forward.
2. Champion vs. Champion Showdown With Trick Williams
Since his arrival on the WWE main roster at the start of 2026, Trick Williams has made it clear that he has his eyes on a world title.
While Williams has gone on to win the United States Championship, Williams has not let go of his goal to become a world champion.
“The American Nightmare” has never been one to back down from a challenge and wouldn’t turn his back on Williams coming after him either.
Rhodes facing Williams in a Champion vs. Champion match could make for an extremely interesting main event picture weeks ahead of the WWE SummerSlam 2026 PLE.
1. CM Punk Returns To SmackDown To Take Cody Rhodes Up On His Offer
Following WrestleMania 42, CM Punk has been absent from WWE television over the past couple of months.
The last time WWE fans saw Punk was on the Monday Night Raw After Mania where he was confronted by Cody Rhodes.
After teasing a future title match against one another, Punk may want to make his way back to WWE and settle on the SmackDown brand where he has unfinished business.
Punk challenging Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship would make for a high profile feud that gets plenty of focus on the company’s television moving forward.
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