On the August 21 edition of Friday Night SmackDown, CM Punk will defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Kevin Owens.
In front of what should be a raucous crowd in Toronto, Ontario, this title bout should be heated one as Owens and Punk look to settle a two-decades long score.
Following KO, “The Best In The World” could have any number of names from the Friday Night SmackDown roster chasing after the top prize on the brand.
Here are seven next potential Undisputed WWE Championship challengers after CM Punk vs. Kevin Owens.
7. Cody Rhodes
At WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night One, CM Punk defeated Cody Rhodes to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship thanks to outside interference from the returning Randy Orton.
Following this loss, Rhodes stepped up to Punk with the current Undisputed WWE Champion telling “The American Nightmare” just say when in regards to another opportunity.
Considering the controversial loss last time, Rhodes will be looking to avenge this loss.
Whenever he is done with his feud with Orton, Cody Rhodes could position himself as the next challenger for Punk’s Undisputed WWE Championship.
6. Randy Orton
Following his return at WWE SummerSlam 2026, it is clear that Randy Orton has come back for vengeance on Cody Rhodes.
However, Orton also mentioned his quest to win the 15th world title of his career.
“The Legend Killer” challenging CM Punk seems like an inevitability considering their history.
With over 17 years of history, Punk and Orton could rekindle their rivalry over the top prize on Friday Night SmackDown in the near future.
5. Sami Zayn
On the July 6 episode of Monday Night Raw, Sami Zayn was expecting to defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes.
After a backstage attack by GUNTHER on Rhodes, CM Punk returned to replace “The American Nightmare” and went on to defeat Zayn to win the Undisputed WWE Championship in his hometown of Chicago.
“The Last Real Good Guy” has been irate with his treatment and the lack of a rematch in his future.
Following the Undisputed WWE Championship match between Punk and Kevin Owens, Zayn might find himself as the next challenger for the gold no matter the result in Toronto.
4. Damian Priest
While he last held a world title at WWE SummerSlam 2024, Damian Priest has consistently positioned himself as a contender for world title gold.
On the August 14 edition of Friday Night SmackDown, Priest and R-Truth lost the WWE Tag Team Championships to The MFTs in a triple threat with The War Raiders.
The former World Heavyweight Champion should refocus on his singles aspirations after this latest loss.
Whoever walks out Undisputed WWE Championship after the August 21 SmackDown might have an angry Priest coming after their title.
3. Finn Balor
At WWE SummerSlam 2026, Finn Balor was scheduled to face Sami Zayn in a number one contender’s match.
However, this singles bout became a four-way following the additions of GUNTHER and eventual winner Kevin Owens.
On the August 14 episode of SmackDown, Balor let it be known to General Manager Adam Pearce that he still wanted an opportunity at the Undisputed WWE Championship.
Considering he is still on the hunt, Balor could revive one of his old rivalries with either CM Punk or Kevin Owens following the August 21 SmackDown.
2. Drew McIntyre
At WWE WrestleMania 42 Night One, Jacob Fatu defeated Drew McIntyre in an Unsanctioned Match.
Following this loss, McIntyre has been absent from WWE television over the past four months.
With the landscape changing on the blue brand, “The Scottish Warrior” returning to go after the Undisputed WWE Championship would make a ton of sense.
McIntyre has quite the bloody past with CM Punk that would make a rekindling of this feud over the top title on SmackDown one that everyone will want to see if “The Best In The World” retains against Kevin Owens.
1. GUNTHER
Back at WWE SummerSlam 2025, CM Punk defeated GUNTHER to win the World Heavyweight Championship.
This battle led to “The Ring General” being sidelined with a facial injury for months.
After feeling slighted in last three title opportunities, GUNTHER will be at the front of the line looking for the next shot at the Undisputed WWE Championship no matter the result of the CM Punk vs. Kevin Owens showdown on the August 21 SmackDown.
GUNTHER coming for either Punk or Owens would make for a very intriguing title clash in the coming weeks or months.
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