Oba Femi set for Hell in a Cell match at SummerSlam
Cageside Seats • 3 min read • Latest: Jul 1, 2026, 5:00 AM
Last updated Jul 1, 2026

Oba Femi will face Brock Lesnar in a Hell in a Cell match at SummerSlam on August 1 and 2 in Minneapolis. Initially expected to challenge for a major title after winning the King of the Ring tournament, plans have shifted according to Dave Meltzer. This match aims to build Femi’s stature ahead of a potential world heavyweight championship match against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 43. Additionally, GUNTHER will compete against Nick Aldis, confirmed to stem from their recent confrontations. Other rumors suggest Ilja Dragunov’s return is imminent, and Mike Santana has concluded his time with TNA, potentially heading to WWE.
- •Oba Femi faces Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam.
- •Femi's title shot likely delayed until WrestleMania 43.
- •GUNTHER vs. Nick Aldis officially on the SummerSlam card.
- •Ilja Dragunov expected to return soon.
- •Mike Santana finishes with TNA; WWE signing anticipated.
- 5:00 AMCageside Seats — Rumor Roundup (July 1, 2026): SummerSlam plans, Oba Femi push, GUNTHER vs. Aldis, more!
"ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY - JUNE 29: Oba Femi looks on during Monday Night RAW at Boardwalk Hall Arena on June 29, 2026 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Photo by Craig Melvin/WWE via Getty Images) | WWE via Getty Images Happy Hump Day, spare a few minutes for some rumors? Lead Rumor: SummerSlam plans When Oba Femi won the King of the Ring tournament, we expected that to mean he would challenge for one of the two major championship titles at SummerSlam. That’s what they told us would happen, after all. Instead, he’s going inside Hell in a Cell to settle the score with Brock Lesnar once and for all. It’s a big match, one they’ve always had planned, but it does raise questions on when they’re going to pull the trigger on his challenging for a title. On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer indicated the plan is clear and WWE is thinking to build him up good and proper and save the big world heavyweight championship match against Roman Reigns for WrestleMania 43. It’s too big to do at SummerSlam, so that’s really the only other option. Speaking of the biggest party of the summer, Meltzer also said the current plan is to do 13 or 14 matches across both nights in Minneapolis on Aug. 1 & 2. One of those matches, he said, will be GUNTHER vs. Nick Aldis as was teased when they got into it at Night of Champions and were both sent home. It may not be WrestleMania level, but SummerSlam is shaping up to be pretty big. Other rumors floating around According to Bryan Alvarez, Ilja Dragunov will be back “sooner rather than later.” The reason the Maxxine Dupri push never went anywhere is because she wasn’t getting strong enough reactions to her matches, notes the Wrestling Observer. In yet another update to the Mike Santana saga, PW Insider brings word that he is now officially finished up with TNA after Slammiversary. He will not be at the TV tapings this week in New York and his deal is up “in the coming days.” It remains expected he will sign with WWE. Dave Melter mentioned on X that he thinks WWE believes this is a “crucial time for AEW” and that’s why they’re willing to do bad ratings for shows like The Great American Bash just to counter program them to “kill” the promotion. Get in on this, folks.
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