WWE Rumors on Sami Zayn's Title Win, CM Punk's Future, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins and SummerSlam

Bleacher Report catches you up on the latest news from the WWE Universe.

Bigger Stage Originally Planned for Zayn Title Win

Sami Zayn finally climbed to the top of the mountain on Saturday at Night of Champions. He pinned Cody Rhodes to become a WWE world champion for the first time.

Zayn's fans and many of his peers have clamored for this moment for a long time, and the WWE creative team may have sped up its original plans.

Cory Hays of False Finish reported there was one idea for Zayn to capture the Undisputed Championship at WrestleMania 43 in 2027.

Forecasting event cards that far out is almost impossible, so it's anybody's guess as to who Zayn would've faced in that scenario and what the story would've been.

Sometimes, you have to strike while the iron is hot.

For years, plenty of fans argued Elimination Chamber 2023 was a missed opportunity when Zayn lost to Roman Reigns. Considering Reigns went on to beat Rhodes at WrestleMania 39, Zayn could've had his moment in his hometown before dropping the belt.

WWE wasn't willing to go in that direction, and Reigns vs. Rhodes proved to be a divisive main event.

Zayn could prove to be a transitional champion with SummerSlam on tap in August. If that happens, he'll always have Saturday night.

Punk Teases SmackDown Switch

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter's Dave Meltzer (via WrestleTalk) reported last Friday that CM Punk is angling "very hard" to return to WWE programming on July 6 in his hometown of Chicago. Punk may not be a member of the Raw roster for much longer, though.

Meltzer said the former world champion is pegged for SmackDown once he's back on a full-time basis.

Punk leaned into the speculation while working as a commentator for CFFC 156. He was asked whether he'd be present for Cage Fury Fighting Championships' next show on July 17.

"Is that a Friday? I don't know if I can make it," he said.

Before taking his current hiatus, Punk teed up a potential encounter with Rhodes at some point down the road. Going to SmackDown would put he and Rhodes on the same brand.

That battle probably wouldn't happen straight away because The American Nightmare will be fixated on getting his title back. The WWE creative team is at least putting the pieces in place to stage Punk vs. Rhodes at a major show.

Rollins vs. Reigns Floated for SummerSlam

Oba Femi earned himself a title opportunity at SummerSlam by beating Jey Uso in the King of the Ring final. That puts him on a collision course against either Zayn or Reigns.

In the view of Wrestling Observer Radio's Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer (via Ringside News' Steve Carrier), WWE's plan is clear.

"My presumption when the show is over is that Oba Femi is going to kill Sami Zayn at SummerSlam and win that title, and Seth Rollins is going to wrestle Roman Reigns, because I can't think of any other reason that Seth Rollins should have beaten Bron Breakker clean in this cage match," Alvarez said.

Meltzer concurred, saying WWE has earmarked another match between the former Shield stablemates "for a long time."

Femi and Reigns is undoubtedly something fans want to see, but pitting him against Zayn has its own merits. Zayn would make Femi look like a million bucks in the ring, or Night of Champions could've been a circuitous way to get the undisputed title on Brock Lesnar before SummerSlam.

Rhodes has been hanging around the world title scene for a long time, too, so he might benefit from a storyline where he isn't chasing the gold or defending a championship.

Sooner or later, Femi and Reigns will be crossing paths. That's a money match. WWE just may not be in too much of a hurry.