{"id":162763,"date":"2026-06-10T07:00:03","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T11:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/?p=162763"},"modified":"2026-06-09T20:24:23","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T00:24:23","slug":"3-potential-challengers-for-cody-rhodes-at-summerslam-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2026\/06\/10\/3-potential-challengers-for-cody-rhodes-at-summerslam-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Challengers for Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam 2026 that Make the Most Sense"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>As the undisputed poster boy of the TKO era, Cody Rhodes is a focal point of WWE storylines. Consequently, Rhodes also occupies prominent positions on major PLEs. Rhodes <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2026\/04\/18\/randy-orton-unleashes-on-cody-rhodes-at-wrestlemania-42\/\" target=\"_self\">headlined WrestleMania 42: Night One,<\/a> and he will likely have an important role to play at SummerSlam.<\/p>\n<p>The American Nightmare has headlined the previous two SummerSlam PLEs. Last year, he reclaimed the WWE Championship from John Cena in an epic Street Fight. Two years ago, Rhodes prevailed over Solo Sikoa in a Bloodline Rules match. Hence, fans shouldn&#8217;t be surprised if Rhodes main events one of the two nights again this August.<\/p>\n<p>However, the current WWE Champion&#8217;s path to the Biggest Party of the Summer remains unclear. Fortunately, there is still plenty of time remaining till SummerSlam, and SmackDown is loaded with talented Superstars who could give Rhodes a run for his money.<\/p>\n<p>On that note, let&#8217;s look at 3 potential challengers for Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam 2026.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>#3. Cody Rhodes Vs. Sami Zayn<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>SmackDown has been pretty underwhelming and stale in recent months, but Sami Zayn&#8217;s slow-burning heel turn and descent into moral confusion have been an intriguing act. Zayn&#8217;s complex relationship with Cody Rhodes is at the heart of his arc. &#8220;The Last Real Good Guy&#8221; has taken issue with Rhodes&#8217; controversial manner of winning big matches.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, fan support for Rhodes has also remained steadily high, while that for Zayn has declined in the wake of his recent actions. Cody Rhodes vs. Sami Zayn has an intriguing dynamic. There is genuine history between Rhodes and Zayn that is worth exploring in a marquee feud.<\/p>\n<p>The WWE Championship adds another layer of excitement to this feud. The Rhodes vs. Zayn saga could mark the birth of a new version of Sami Zayn, while teasing and exploring a more vulnerable and selfish side of Cody Rhodes.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"FULL MATCH: Cody Rhodes vs. Sami Zayn: SmackDown highlights: May 22, 2026\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/yTYrDdgEdgc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2><strong>#2. Drew McIntyre Returns to Revive His Feud with Cody Rhodes<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Drew McIntyre has had an interesting year. He won the WWE Title from Cody Rhodes in Germany. By all means, McIntyre should have walked into Mania 42 as the champion, but Rhodes regained the belt a month before the PLE. The Scottish Warrior was phased out of the World Title picture and placed in a <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2026\/03\/27\/drew-mcintyre-vs-jacob-fatu-on-for-wrestlemania-42-stipulation-set\/\" target=\"_self\">grudge feud with Jacob Fatu<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_145564\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-145564\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2025\/11\/11-8-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"A WWE SmackDown graphic featuring a Drew McIntyre who quit WWE.\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" class=\"wp-image-145564 size-large\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2025\/11\/11-8-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2025\/11\/11-8-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2025\/11\/11-8-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2025\/11\/11-8-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2025\/11\/11-8.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-145564\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A WWE SmackDown graphic featuring Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes. (Photo Credit: WWE)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The Samoan Werewolf defeated McIntyre in an Unsanctioned match at Mania 42. The Scottish Warrior has not been seen on WWE programming since his loss to Fatu. Given the value he adds to SmackDown, fans would be hoping that McIntyre could return soon.<\/p>\n<p>Upon his eventual return, McIntyre should pursue Rhodes again. In a sense, he was wronged and never received a rematch for the top prize. The Scottish Warrior could renew his feud with the American Nightmare at SummerSlam, and hopefully put this chapter to bed.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"FULL MATCH: Cody Rhodes reclaims the Undisputed WWE Title from Drew McIntyre: SmackDown highlights\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/oww7-LHZpVs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2><strong>#1. Randy Orton Still Needs to Win His 15th World Championship<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>WrestleMania 42: Night One had an odd ending. Randy Orton turned on Pat McAfee, who had pulled many of the strings behind his heel turn, but still lost to Cody Rhodes. Following his loss, Orton attacked Rhodes and blasted the WWE Champion with the Punt Kick. Considering the build, it made sense for Orton to win his 15th World Title at Mania.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"max-width: 610px\"><smartframe-embed class=\"smartframe_wp_element\" customer-id=\"b0c95bc04383cef69c6b47df872135cf\" image-id=\"WmOBoeNnpxfm\" style=\"width: 100%; display: inline-flex; max-width: 5184px; aspect-ratio: 5184\/3456;\" ><\/smartframe-embed><\/p>\n<p>However, it appears as if a <a  href=\"https:\/\/tjrwrestling.net\/news\/randy-ortons-wwe-return-plans\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">potential back injury<\/a> might have altered plans. The Viper has not been seen since destroying Rhodes at Mania. There is no official update on his return. Nonetheless, Orton has unfinished business with his former protege, and he would want to wrap that up at his earliest convenience.<\/p>\n<p>McAfee&#8217;s involvement severely derailed the build to their Mania match. Hopefully, WWE could book a great feud between the former Legacy members once Orton is ready to return. SummerSlam 2026 is the ideal place to do their rematch.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton | Undisputed WWE Championship Match: WrestleMania 42 Saturday highlights\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/nM3kHaT7M58?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As the undisputed poster boy of the TKO era, Cody Rhodes is a focal point of WWE storylines. Consequently, Rhodes also occupies prominent positions on major PLEs. Rhodes headlined WrestleMania 42: Night One, and he will likely have an important role to play at SummerSlam. The American Nightmare has headlined the previous two SummerSlam PLEs. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5689,"featured_media":154321,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4,2192,3],"tags":[98,686,58,106],"class_list":["post-162763","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wwe","category-wrestling","category-wwe-universe","tag-cody-rhodes","tag-drew-mcintyre","tag-randy-orton","tag-sami-zayn"],"modified_by":"Michael Joseph Sugue, Manager","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/162763","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5689"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=162763"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/162763\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":162811,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/162763\/revisions\/162811"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/154321"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=162763"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=162763"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=162763"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}