Roman Reigns has reformed The Bloodline as Raw’s top faction. (Credit: Craig Melvin/WWE via Getty Images)
WWE via Getty Images
WWE Night of Champions 2026, occurring in less than two weeks, will act as a crucial stepping stone toward the August SummerSlam.
On Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Trick Williams will defend the United States Championship against Ricky Saints and Carmelo Hayes, while Bron Breakker faces his longtime rival Seth Rollins in a Steel Cage match. More significantly, the event will crown the King and Queen of the Ring, with Oba Femi and Iyo Sky already qualified for the finals.
Winners of those King of the Ring and Queen of the Ring bouts will secure a guaranteed world‑title opportunity at the two‑night SummerSlam pay‑per‑view on August 1‑2. Given the high stakes at Kingdom Arena, Night of Champions results will cascade into the SummerSlam lineup.
Even before Night of Champions takes place, the SummerSlam 2026 card is already taking shape. Below is a look at the rumored marquee matches drawn from multiple reports and recent booking trends.
Jade Cargill to Challenge Charlotte Flair
Even though neither competitor currently holds a championship, WWE is reportedly considering this first‑ever dream match at SummerSlam.
WWE is said to be strongly eyeing this blockbuster bout for the “Big Four” pay‑per‑view at U.S. Bank Stadium. With SummerSlam scheduled for two nights for the second time, the card may feature a dozen or more marquee contests.
Cargill and Flair have been interacting frequently on SmackDown recently, and a showdown between two of WWE’s top stars would make a compelling midcard addition.
Brock Lesnar Set to Face Oba Femi
Lesnar and Femi each hold a single victory. The Ruler prevailed decisively at WrestleMania 42, while The Beast achieved a similar dominant win at WWE Clash Italy.
Fans anticipate a rubber match, most likely at SummerSlam in Minnesota—the site of Lesnar’s collegiate wrestling roots. Following his staged retirement at WrestleMania 42, SummerSlam is expected to serve as Lesnar’s genuine farewell.
This follows basic booking logic: Lesnar should elevate Femi in his final match at SummerSlam, which would require Lesnar undermining Femi in the King of the Ring finals at Night of Champions.
Liv Morgan (c) to Defend Women’s World Championship vs. Iyo Sky
Iyo Sky has been widely regarded as the frontrunner to challenge Liv Morgan for the Women’s World Championship and is one victory away from making it a reality.
At Night of Champions, Sky will contest the Queen of the Ring finals, potentially squaring off against Morgan or Charlotte Flair. After a period of reduced singles competition leading into WrestleMania 42, Sky is once again rising to the top of the card and represents the ideal SummerSlam opponent for Morgan.
With limited challengers on Raw and SummerSlam positioned as a “Big Four” pay‑per‑view, a Morgan‑versus‑Sky bout aligns perfectly with the marquee women’s world title slot.
Rhea Ripley (c) to Defend Women’s Championship vs. Jacy Jayne
Rhea Ripley’s injury could force her to miss SummerSlam, prompting significant changes across the women’s match card.
If Ripley is healthy, Jacy Jayne—an NXT call‑up—emerges as the likely opponent, according to False Finish, which says she has been pitched for the SummerSlam showdown. The matchup fits given Ripley’s limited options on SmackDown and Jayne’s rapid ascent on the blue brand.
Jayne has quickly gained popularity on the main roster, a feat few achieve, and while she is unlikely to defeat Ripley, she would provide a fresh challenger for the women’s title.
Cody Rhodes (c) to Defend WWE Championship vs. Jey Uso
While a Cody Rhodes versus CM Punk match is plausible, a contest between Rhodes and former tag‑team partner Jey Uso is considered more probable.
Uso is slated for the King of the Ring semifinals, where the victor earns a guaranteed world‑title opportunity at SummerSlam. Additionally, the Raw World Heavyweight Championship is held by his Bloodline stablemate Roman Reigns, making Uso a serious contender for Rhodes’s title.
Despite the existing history and Uso’s current unpopularity, WWE is unlikely to shy away from granting him a title shot at SummerSlam.
Roman Reigns (c) to Defend WWE World Heavyweight Title vs. Seth Rollins
Reigns currently lacks a clear challenger at SummerSlam, having moved past feuds with CM Punk and Jacob Fatu.
Rollins was once rumored to win the King of the Ring and earn a title shot at Reigns, but his early elimination in the tournament does not preclude WWE from booking a Reigns‑vs‑Rollins match.
Should the King of the Ring winner elect to challenge Rhodes for the WWE Championship at SummerSlam, Rollins stands as the foremost Raw candidate to contest Reigns for the World Heavyweight title.
WWE SummerSlam 2026 Match Card Predictions
The following is a comprehensive preview of the predicted SummerSlam 2026 card, encompassing both undercard and main‑event matches.
- Jade Cargill vs. Charlotte Flair
- Brock Lesnar vs. Oba Femi
- CM Punk vs. Bron Breakker
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: Brie Bella & Page (c) vs. Fatal Influence
- Intercontinental Championship: Penta (c) vs. Chad Gable
- WWE Women’s Championship: Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Jacy Jayne
- Women’s World Championship: Liv Morgan (c) vs. Iyo Sky
- WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Jey Uso
- WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Seth Rollins
