WWE Night of Champions 2026 will play host to one of the biggest Triple Threat matches in recent memory. The WWE Championship scene on SmackDown is an absolute mess, and Cody Rhodes is at the epicenter of the chaos. The American Nightmare’s friendship with Sami Zayn has broken down, and he has struggled to keep Gunther at bay.
Rhodes has successfully retained the championship against Gunther twice, but in controversial circumstances. Nick Aldis’ solution was simple. He booked a massive Triple Threat match at Night of Champions 2026. Given how volatile the WWE Championship scene has been in recent months, anything can happen, and we might crown a new champion.
On that note, let’s look at 4 potential finishes for Rhodes vs. Gunther vs. Zayn at WWE Night of Champions 2026.
#4. Gunther Chokes out Sami Zayn to Win the Undisputed WWE Championship at WWE Night of Champions 2026
Gunther is one of WWE’s top villains. The Career Killer has retired Goldberg, John Cena, and AJ Styles in the last two months. He is on an impressive run of dominance, but has hit a roadblock. The Ring General cannot seem to get past Cody Rhodes. They have battled in singles competition three times, and Rhodes has always prevailed.
In WWE’s defense, Rhodes is QB1. However, fans are getting bored with his run at the top of the mountain. It might be time for a new World Champion on SmackDown. The Ring General is the most obvious candidate to snatch the title away from the American Nightmare.
Sami Zayn has been impressive in recent months, but his role in this match could be to take the pinfall. In this way, Gunther could win the WWE Championship, and Rhodes would be protected in defeat.
#3. Sami Zayn Stuns the World in Riyadh
Cody Rhodes claimed that Sami Zayn would never become World Champion as long as he held the title. However, that statement could come back to haunt him in the worst way possible at WWE Night of Champions 2026. The Last Real Good Guy might find himself in a state of moral confusion, but the same confusion has made him more dangerous and unpredictable.
Furthermore, Zayn also has the homefield advantage as Riyadh will firmly back him in his pursuit of the WWE Championship. He almost got the job done against Drew McIntyre at Royal Rumble 2026, but he could rewrite history this weekend.
He might have to bend the rules a bit or steal the victory from Rhodes. However, if that could get him the one championship that has eluded him for years, Zayn would be more than happy with the result.
#2. Cody Rhodes Finds a Way To Win Yet Again
The American Nightmare is not wrong when he says he is easy to find but hard to beat. Cody Rhodes has taken on all comers since ascending to the top of the mountain a couple of years ago. While Night of Champions presents a tricky challenge, he knows both of his competitors all too well.
Triple Threat rules mean that Rhodes doesn’t have to be involved in the outcome to lose the WWE Championship. However, QB1 performs best when the odds are stacked against him. He has already vanquished Gunther twice in the last month, and Zayn’s anger could backfire on the Last Real Good Guy.
The win doesn’t have to be clean, and Zayn will likely be the one to take the pinfall. Nonetheless, with SummerSlam a little over a month away, a title change seems unlikely. Hence, a smart man would put his money on Rhodes at Night of Champions.
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#1. Randy Orton Returns at Night of Champions 2026 to Cost Cody Rhodes the WWE Championship
WrestleMania 42: Saturday had a peculiar ending. Cody Rhodes retained the WWE Championship, but he was punted in the head for his troubles. The night ended with Randy Orton holding the top prize. However, the Viper hasn’t been seen since delivering that vicious Punt kick, and WWE never followed up on that angle.
The Rhodes/Orton saga is far from over. It has only been paused due to Orton’s unexplained absence. If Orton is cleared to return, Night of Champions 2026 would be a perfect way to reinsert himself into SmackDown’s main event scene. The veteran could cost Cody Rhodes the WWE Title, setting up a massive grudge match at SummerSlam.
With no Pat McAfee around, WWE could hopefully book the feud without any external involvement. A grudge feud like Rhodes vs. Orton doesn’t need the World Title, which is why the Viper could cost Rhodes the belt.
