Updated

Updated · Variety · Aug 1

WWE Stages 6 Title Bouts at SummerSlam 2026 as ESPN Unlimited Streams 2-Night Event

Updated

Updated · Variety · Aug 1

WWE Stages 6 Title Bouts at SummerSlam 2026 as ESPN Unlimited Streams 2-Night Event

Q: After a massive title shift, will Cody Rhodes finally exact his revenge on CM Punk at tonight's SummerSlam?

Cody Rhodes has a strong storyline case to beat CM Punk tonight, but Punk still enters as a very live favorite because WWE has built the match around tension, ambiguity and the value of his fresh title reign. Rhodes’ revenge narrative is clear. He lost the Undisputed WWE Championship when Sami Zayn beat both Rhodes and Gunther at Night of Champions, then immediately fought back into contention by defeating Jey Uso. His anger toward Punk has only intensified since Punk replaced him in the rematch with Zayn, won the title, and then fueled suspicions with the championship-shot incident and their escalating backstage and kickoff-show confrontations. WWE is presenting Rhodes as a wronged challenger with unfinished business. At the same time, Punk has momentum and storyline protection. He is the newly crowned champion, and WWE has emphasized the rarity of this singles meeting after nearly 18 years. That usually signals a marquee match designed to headline the weekend and potentially continue beyond one event. Punk has also framed the issue as competitive rather than outright betrayal, giving WWE room to preserve both men. The best read is that Rhodes has a believable path to victory, especially if WWE wants to complete his redemption arc quickly. But if the company wants a longer feud, Punk retaining through controversy looks just as plausible. Based on the current build, a disputed finish or Punk escape feels slightly more likely than a clean Rhodes revenge win.

Q: Can rising star Oba Femi survive Brock Lesnar's brutal Hell in a Cell stipulation this weekend?

Yes — Oba Femi can realistically survive Brock Lesnar’s Hell in a Cell, but the stipulation clearly favors Lesnar. Femi has already shown he can beat Lesnar. He pinned him at WrestleMania 42, which is the strongest evidence that this is not a one-sided fight. He also enters SummerSlam with major momentum as the 2026 King of the Ring winner and has been protected strongly on the main roster, with losses essentially limited to Lesnar. At 6-foot-6 and more than 300 pounds, Femi has the size and power profile WWE typically gives a credible chance in a cage war. The problem is that Hell in a Cell is built for Lesnar’s style and experience. WWE’s own preview notes that Lesnar is 2-0 in Hell in a Cell matches, both wins coming against The Undertaker, and Femi has never worked this stipulation before. Lesnar also pushed for the Cell in his home state of Minnesota, a sign the match is designed around his comfort zone and aura. He already evened the series by pinning Femi at Clash in Italy after losing at WrestleMania. That makes survival different from victory. Femi has the durability, credibility and booking momentum to come out of the Cell still looking like a future centerpiece, even in defeat. But if the question is whether he can withstand Lesnar’s brutality and remain believable afterward, the answer is yes. If the question is whether he should be favored to win inside the Cell, the evidence still points to Lesnar.

3 articles · Updated · Variety · Aug 1

Six championship matches headline WWE SummerSlam in Minneapolis on Aug. 1-2, with both nights starting at 6 p.m. ET at U.S. Bank Stadium.
ESPN Unlimited carries the event exclusively online, making a subscription starting at $29.99 a month the main way to watch; DirecTV also offers access through a five-day trial.
Night one features Liv Morgan vs. Iyo Sky and CM Punk vs. Cody Rhodes, while night two is led by Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins and Penta vs. Chad Gable.
Darius Rucker is set to sing the U.S. national anthem before night two, and WWE is also expecting celebrity attendance from Minnesota sports figures.
WWE is aiming to top SummerSlam 2025's audience of more than 1.7 million viewers as the annual event expands across two nights.