With WWE close to WrestleMania 42, the company could be already planning the card for the next major event following ‘The Show of Shows.’
In August, WWE SummerSlam 2026 will take place from the US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Considering this is the second two-night SummerSlam, there should be some significant matches being discussed for this card that will play off what happens at Mania and the months following the event.
Here are our predictions for the potential card for WWE SummerSlam 2026.
WWE Women’s Championship: Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Bianca Belair
Back at WrestleMania 41, IYO SKY defeated Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley to retain the WWE Women’s World Championship.
In the weeks leading into last year’s Mania, many fans speculated that it could be Belair and Ripley battling for the gold, instead of a triple threat match. However, Belair has not competed since Mania 41 after suffering a serious finger injury.
Recent reports have revealed that ‘The EST of WWE’ has started doing some light training to prepare for her in-ring return.
Belair returning to challenge Ripley for the WWE Women’s Championship could serve as one of the potential headline matches for the SummerSlam 2026 event between these two huge stars on the roster.
Women’s World Championship: Liv Morgan (c) vs. IYO SKY
At WrestleMania 42, Liv Morgan will challenge Stephanie Vaquer for the WWE Women’s World Championship.
After winning the Women’s Royal Rumble Match, it feels like Morgan should capture the gold at ‘The Showcase of the Immortals.’
Looking at the WWE Raw roster, there could be any number of contenders who might step up to the plate to face The Judgment Day member for the gold come SummerSlam 2026.
Being a former multi-time champion, IYO SKY could take on Liv for the gold in Minnesota at ‘The Biggest Party of the Summer.’
Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker – No Holds Barred Match
Heading into WWE WrestleMania 42, Seth Rollins has been making The Vision’s lives a living hell.
Wanting to take down the group that he helped create, Rollins has been hellbent on revenge on The Vision after they excommunicated him from the stable in October 2025.
While Logan Paul, Austin Theory and Paul Heyman are the only active members appearing on WWE TV currently, Bron Breakker is reportedly set to return following emergency hernia surgery in February.
Whether they face each other at WrestleMania 42 or not, Breakker and Rollins should still be feuding by WWE SummerSlam 2026 and could clash in a blowoff No Holds Barred Match in the US Bank Stadium this August.
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WWE Intercontinental Championship: Je’Von Evans (c) vs. Penta vs. Dominik Mysterio vs. Finn Balor
Penta currently holds the Intercontinental Championship after dethroning Dominik Mysterio on the March 2 edition of WWE Raw.
The luchador has been defending his title in open challenges, which could lead to a new champion being crowned by the time fans get to the summer of 2026.
Je’Von Evans has been on the rise since being called up to the WWE main roster and has what it takes to become the new Intercontinental Champion.
Considering Finn Balor and Dominik Mysterio’s current rivalry and their importance to the IC Title picture over the past year, this could set the stage for a four-way for the gold with Evans, Penta and the current and former Judgment Day members at WWE SummerSlam 2026.
Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Sol Ruca
Becky Lynch and AJ Lee are embroiled in their rivalry that looks to culminating with the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship on the line at WrestleMania 42.
By the time WWE SummerSlam 2026 comes around, Lynch could have the title she has been in the picture for since her return back at WrestleMania 41 in 2025.
Lynch has mostly used this title to build up younger talent with the likes of Lyra Valkyria and Maxxine Dupri.
WWE SummerSlam 2026 could see Lynch defend the Women’s IC Title against a recently called-up Sol Ruca to help introduce the wider audience to the former NXT Women’s North American Champion.
Women’s United States Championship: Giulia (c) vs. Tiffany Stratton vs. Jordynne Grace
The WWE Women’s United States Championship has never been defended on a premium live event since crowning the first titleholder in December 2024.
Giulia is currently enjoying her second run with the gold over on Friday Night SmackDown and feuding with Tiffany Stratton.
Meanwhile, Jordynne Grace is on the sidelines after suffering a legitimate ankle injury during a WWE Main Event taping.
Giving three young stars on the WWE roster like Giulia, Stratton and Grace in a triple threat for the US Title at SummerSlam 2026 would be a great way to put a spotlight on the championship and the talent involved.
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WWE United States Championship: Trick Williams (c) vs. Carmelo Hayes
On the March 27 edition of Friday Night SmackDown, Sami Zayn defeated Carmelo Hayes to win the United States Championship thanks to an accidental assist from Trick Williams.
Following this title change, SmackDown GM Nick Aldis announced that Zayn will defend the US Title against Trick Williams at WrestleMania 42.
While it has been announced as a singles match, there is always a chance this Mania match might be changed to a triple threat, adding Hayes into the mix.
However, Williams seems destined to become the new United States Champion and could defend against his former friend in Melo at WWE SummerSlam 2026 this August.
World Tag Team Championship: Lucha Bros (Penta & Rey Fenix) (c) vs. The Usos (Jimmy & Jey Uso)
Since signing with WWE in 2025, fans have been asking and wondering when the company will choose to reunite The Lucha Bros.
Despite the fans wanting this reunion, Penta has been a singles star on Monday Night Raw, while Rey Fenix has been making a name for himself on Friday Night SmackDown.
By the time WWE SummerSlam 2026 comes around, fans could see Lucha Bros coming together to take the tag team division by storm.
Penta and Fenix becoming World Tag Team Champions could set up a dream match with the current champions in The Usos at WWE SummerSlam 2026 from Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Brock Lesnar vs. GUNTHER – Retirement Match
Ever since WWE SummerSlam 2026 was announced for Minneapolis, Minnesota, many fans have been speculating if this will be the site for Brock Lesnar’s retirement.
Lesnar made his return at last year’s SummerSlam and this year’s event will take place from his hometown, so it makes plenty of sense to close the book on his legendary career.
Meanwhile, GUNTHER has earned the reputation as ‘The Career Killer’ after retiring John Cena, Goldberg and AJ Styles.
GUNTHER potentially ending the career of Lesnar would give WWE SummerSlam 2026 a significant moment where ‘The Ring General’ adds another iconic name to his list of vanquished legends.
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Undisputed WWE Championship: Randy Orton (c) vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Jacob Fatu
At the WrestleMania 42 premium live event, Cody Rhodes will defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton.
Considering his recent heel turn, Orton feels more determined than ever to become a 15-time WWE World Champion at ‘The Show of Shows.’
Meanwhile, Drew McIntyre and Jacob Fatu have been embroiled in an intense rivalry that stems from their involvement in the WWE Title picture alongside Rhodes.
By the time WWE SummerSlam 2026 comes around, the company could finally deliver on a four-way match with Rhodes, Orton, McIntyre and Fatu that determines who the rightful champion really is.
World Heavyweight Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Oba Femi
Oba Femi got called up to the WWE main roster at the start of 2026 and has since taken the company by storm.
Now set to face Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 42, Femi could be three short weeks away from the biggest victory of his career.
Elsewhere, Roman Reigns will look to win his first World Heavyweight Championship since his epic 1,316 day reign as Undisputed WWE Universal Champion when he faces CM Punk at Mania.
Femi coming off a win over Lesnar should be the odds-on favorite to win the King of the Ring tournament to continue that momentum and could then challenge Reigns for the top prize on WWE Raw, wanting to cement himself as the new top star at SummerSlam 2026.
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