The WWE’s SummerSlam Setup: A Tale of Two Champions

WWE’s third Saturday Night’s Main Event in 2026 has momentum building towards SummerSlam. At the forefront of this momentum are CM Punk and Cody Rhodes, teaming up for a match that will inevitably devolve into conflict. Their pairing is more publicity stunt than genuine effort to coexist without incident, given their history as rival WWE title contenders.

The addition of Gunther and Sami Zayn to the SummerSlam main event if they win at SNME has telegraphed the outcome of this match. This clever move by WWE makes it seem like Rhodes and Punk are fighting for more than just individual pride, but we know how these stories usually play out.

Cody Rhodes’ emergence as a top contender is the real story here. With his rivalry with CM Punk heating up, it’s clear that WWE sees him as the future of the company. However, this comes at the cost of glossing over the fact that their rivalry has been ongoing for months.

Paige and Brie Bella have held onto the women’s tag team titles for too long, making it seem like they’re just keeping them warm for Nikki Bella to return and reclaim her place as a top star. This is a classic case of WWE favoring established stars over newcomers, but in this scenario, it’s also about giving the people what they want.

Fatal Influence is the perfect choice to dethrone Paige and Brie, setting up a potential heel turn for the Bella Twins. Their victory would be a win-win situation for everyone involved.

Bayley vs Lyra Valkyria is another story brewing at SNME. This feud has been dragging on for months, with WWE investing time into establishing Valkyria as a top heel. However, in reality, it’s about giving the newcomer more screen time and development opportunities. Bayley, on the other hand, is stuck in limbo - not quite a top star anymore, but not quite ready to hang up her boots either.

The outcome of this match is almost certain: Lyra Valkyria will win, cementing her place as one of WWE’s top heels. It’s a shame for Bayley, who deserves better than being stuck in this limbo.

As we head into SummerSlam, it’s clear that WWE has its priorities straight. Cody Rhodes is the future, and everything else is just supporting cast. However, by doing so, are they forgetting about their established stars? Paige and Brie Bella have been holding onto those tag team titles for far too long - when will we see some new blood?

Saturday Night’s Main Event XLV will be a showcase of WWE’s top talent, with some surprises along the way. Behind all the pomp and circumstance lies a story about who truly deserves to be on top.

The Writing on the Wall

WWE is notorious for its lack of originality when it comes to match cards. This weekend’s show follows a familiar pattern: CM Punk and Cody Rhodes teaming up, Paige and Brie Bella defending their tag titles against Fatal Influence. It’s time for WWE to shake things up and give the fans something new.

A New Era of Champions

Cody Rhodes’ rise to stardom is a constant amidst all this chaos. With his rivalry with CM Punk heating up, it’s clear that WWE sees him as the future of the company. However, by making it seem like Rhodes and Punk are just friends who happen to be fighting each other for the title, WWE is glossing over the fact that their rivalry has been ongoing for months.

The Rise of Lyra Valkyria

Lyra Valkyria’s heel turn is a classic case of WWE favoring newcomers over established stars. However, in this scenario, it’s also about giving the people what they want - and that’s more of Valkyria’s signature blend of sass and sadism. Bayley may be stuck in limbo, but Lyra Valkyria is on the rise.

The Real Story

Behind all the pomp and circumstance lies a story about who truly deserves to be on top. WWE is notorious for its lack of originality when it comes to match cards - but amidst all this chaos, there is one constant: Cody Rhodes’ rise to stardom.