With WWE’s biggest weekend of the summer fast approaching on August 1 and 2, as SummerSlam 2026 is set to blow the roof off of Minneapolis’ US Bank Stadium, time is running out for the company to finalize what is already shaping up to be their most exciting card of the year.
Starting with the title matches, Roman Reigns is set to defend the World Heavyweight Championship for the third time when he takes on former Shield teammate Seth Rollins. Based on their recent exchanges, this is looking to be the final time these two clash one-on-one.
Turning to the other main title match, CM Punk defends his newly won Undisputed WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes. This marks the first time in nearly 18 years that the two will share the ring in a singles contest.
We’re also set to see Penta defend the Intercontinental Championship for the tenth time when he battles Chad Gable in what promises to be an absolute thriller. Gable carries serious momentum into this one, along with a passionate home crowd in his corner as a Minnesota native.
On the women’s side, things are looking especially interesting. Liv Morgan is finally set to defend her Women’s World Championship for the first time as she takes on IYO SKY.
Meanwhile, with Rhea Ripley sidelined by a slight meniscus tear, WWE is holding a ladder match to crown an interim WWE Women’s Champion. The field of competitors is filling up fast, with Tiffany Stratton and Jade Cargill both punching their tickets last week on SmackDown.
We’re also set for several exciting non-title showdowns. First up, Oba Femi and Brock Lesnar will settle their even 1-1 series inside Hell in a Cell, marking the first time the Demonic Structure has been used in nearly two years.
Next, LA Knight will team alongside Royce Keys and Solo Sikoa as they go to war against The Bloodline, facing Jacob Fatu, Jey Uso, and Jimmy Uso in an exciting six-man tag team contest.
The two most recent matches added to the card have made things all the more interesting for The Biggest Party of the Summer. Gunther is finally set to face SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis, who will be making his return to the wrestling ring for the first time in three years.
And finally, this past Monday on Raw, the announcement came that Danhausen, who has been colliding with The Judgment Day for the past month, is set to face Dominik Mysterio. While this match has left some fans scratching their heads, it will provide the perfect comedic break from the night’s more intense showdowns.
Great cards aren’t just built on solid match-ups – they’re built on fierce rivalries and crowd-popping payoffs. With everyone up to speed on where things currently stand, it’s time to highlight three matches that haven’t been booked yet, but would take The Biggest Party of the Summer to the next level.
SummerSlam 2026 Matches WWE Must Add:
3. Otis & Tozawa vs. The Vision (c) (Bron Breakker & Austin Theory): WWE World Tag Team Championship Match
Kicking off the list is a matchup that seems all but guaranteed to happen. Ever since Maxxine Dupri decided to leave Alpha Academy and join The Vision, WWE has been steadily building toward a feud between The Vision and Otis and Tozawa.
WWE has painted The Vision as classic bullies straight out of a teen drama, while Otis and Tozawa are playing the lovable underdogs. This has all the makings of an incredible moment at SummerSlam.
Given that WWE has been handing out SummerSlam matches to Minnesota superstars like Oprah Winfrey handing out cars, this matchup feels like a lock, especially considering Otis is a native of Minneapolis.
While the outcome might feel predictable to some, it would still deliver a deeply satisfying payoff. Just like in a teen drama series when the nerd finally gets his crowning moment against the school bully, this match could offer that same feel-good moment with Otis and Tozawa crowned as the new Tag Team Champions.
2. Sol Ruca (c) vs. Lyra Valkyria vs. Bayley vs. Raquel Rodriguez: Women’s Intercontinental Championship Match
Despite Sol Ruca being set to defend her Women’s Intercontinental Championship against Raquel Rodriguez this upcoming Monday on Raw, WWE has the perfect setup in place to carry this momentum into SummerSlam.
Just as things are winding down in the match between Ruca and Rodriguez, Lyra Valkyria can disrupt the match by attacking both competitors. During a backstage interview this past Monday, Valkyria interrupted Sol, making it clear she wants the Women’s Intercontinental Championship back.
Throwing Bayley into the fray would feel perfect, as it appears we’re months away from her potential departure with her contract expiring at the end of this year. On top of that, she can claim unfinished business with Lyra, giving them a chance to settle the score inside the Fatal 4-Way.
As for Raquel, she will rightfully claim she was robbed of a clean shot at the title after Valkyria’s interference. Her dynamic with Roxanne Perez also adds a compelling twist, with WWE planting seeds that Perez might finally leave The Judgment Day, and what better way to do so than by costing Rodriguez on a stage as big as SummerSlam?
3. Trick Williams (c) vs. Carmelo Hayes: United States Title Match (Three Stages of Hell)
We saved the best match for last, as it’s easily the most exciting potential addition to the SummerSlam card. Trick Williams has a long history with Carmelo Hayes, dating back to their time in NXT when their close friendship dissolved into a heated feud.
WWE has clearly been promoting the two, featuring them in backstage segments and in-ring promos. They’ve managed the perfect mix of addressing their history while keeping the spotlight on the present and future.
Given that these two have already faced off twice this year, it’s important to add a stipulation to the matchup. Three Stages of Hell would be ideal, serving as the ultimate test to push both men to their absolute limits.
Most importantly, the company has been building this card to be the biggest of the year, and potentially the most stacked in SummerSlam history. If WWE wants to deliver on that promise, there’s no better way to do it than by booking this match.
This era of WWE thrives when long-term storytelling meets the demand of the fans. Adding these three matches wouldn’t just be padding the card, but would instead validate months of build-up while giving the exact payoff fans have been begging for. Great cards are built on great stories, and these three additions would elevate SummerSlam from a good show to an iconic one. The fans are ready for the payoff.
