Sami Zayn faces Cody Rhodes on WWE Raw in Chicago next week

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 20: CM Punk addresses Cody Rhodes during Monday Night RAW at T-Mobile Arena on April 20, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Rich Wade/WWE Via Getty Images) | WWE via Getty Images I don’t have any inside information here. I don’t actually know what WWE has planned for next week when Monday Night Raw heads for Chicago. It just feels like they’re up to something. When Sami Zayn won the WWE championship at Night of Champions this past weekend, he did so by pinning Cody Rhodes. GUNTHER was not involved in the decision, and has since moved on to an apparent program with SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis. Rumors say they’re headed for a match at SummerSlam. You would think the obvious next step here would be a rematch pitting Zayn vs. Rhodes at that same show. But that’s not what is happening. CAUTION: SPOILERS AHEAD! Due to the holiday, this week’s episode of SmackDown was taped (spoilers here) on Monday after Raw. The show featured Rhodes defeating Jey Uso in a number one contender’s match. It was revealed that the winner would get the next shot at Zayn not at SummerSlam but on the July 6 Raw in the Windy City. That’s a noteworthy date and location. In the immediate aftermath of Sami’s big win, it was quickly noted by multiple connected folks in the industry this reign isn’t going to last very long. We also heard that CM Punk was hoping to make his return on that show, and once he does come back he’ll be headed for the blue brand for an obvious feud with Rhodes. SummerSlam is one month away, it’s a two night event that needs multiple big money match-ups. Again, I don’t know what WWE is going to do here. But all the pieces fit, the stars are aligning, and it sure looks like they’re up to something. Right?!?!?

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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JANUARY 27: Cody Rhodes and CM Punk speak during WWE Monday Night RAW at State Farm Arena on January 27, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by WWE/Getty Images) | Getty Images Just yesterday, Geno mused about what WWE was up to for Monday’s Raw in Chicago. The spoilers for this Friday’s SmackDown tell us there will be a BIG match on the July 6 show, and it’s the logical place for CM Punk to make his first appearance since the Raw After WrestleMania — unless there’s something to the speculation about issues between Punk and WWE, that is. But despite a recent report that there were at least minor or routine issues between the Best in the World and his employers, on Fightful Select’s WrestleVotes Radio today (July 2) it was said multiple sources told both Votes and Fightful that Punk and WWE were just working through creative. Those sources also told the outlets Punk’s absence wasn’t because of “backstage heat” or any deeper problems. Votes also heard from a source at Allstate Arena that they’re heavily advertising Punk for Monday’s show in his beloved hometown, and haven’t been told about any change in his status. So signs continue to point to Punk coming back in Chicago, which was said to be wanted all along. Rumors also indicated he’d move to SmackDown for a SummerSlam feud with Cody Rhodes over the WWE title. Of course Sami Zayn is currently holding that belt, but those aforementioned SmackDown spoilers told us that Sami Zayn will be defending against Rhodes on July 6 at Allstate. Is QB1’s fourth Undisputed WWE title run already upon us? Is that another key piece of WWE’s big plan for Monday night in Chicago? Weigh in below, and join us on July 6 and we’ll find out together.