Predicting WWE SummerSlam 2026 Winners, Surprise Returns and Bold Booking Calls

WWE presents its annual spectacular, SummerSlam, live from U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis this Saturday and Sunday.

The show features a packed lineup across two nights, headlined by two world title matches, an interim championship ladder match and the return of Hell in a Cell for the first time in two years.

What does the card look like, who should fans expect to have their arms raised in victory, and what are some surprise returns and booking calls to expect?

Find out in this preview, including predictions for the entire event.

Non-Title Match Predictions

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The Bella Twins and Paige vs. Fatal Influence

Nikki Bella is back and, though she has lost more than she has won, this does not feel like the time or place for the babyfaces to eat defeat. The former Total Divas castmates win here to extend the rivalry with Jacy Jayne, Lainey Reid, and Fallon Henley.

Prediction: The Bella Twins and Paige

No. 1 Contender's Match: Finn Balor vs. Sami Zayn

On one hand, a win for Zayn keeps him in the main event mix. Balor, though, has as much momentum on his side as he has had in years. Whether it is a battle with fellow former Bullet Club member Cody Rhodes or the rekindling of his rivalry with CM Punk, there are more interesting paths for him as the top contender.

Prediction: Balor

Danhausen vs. Dominik Mysterio

A match with plenty of hijinx and shenanigans, this could be the most fun match of the entire two-night event. With that said, Danhausen is a cash cow for WWE, and this is not the match in which he should suffer his first televised defeat, especially considering how cold Mysterio is at this point.

Prediction: Danhausen

LA Knight, Solo Sikoa, and Royce Keys vs. The Usos and Jacob Fatu

Expect heavy drama and story in this one, especially with The Bloodline as omnipresent as they are. Knight, Sikoa, and Keys need the win more, but expect someone in creative to jump hurdles explaining why Jimmy, Jey, and Fatu should get their arms raised.

Prediction: The Bloodline

Nick Aldis vs. Gunther

Expect a better match than you think. Aldis is a gamer, as evidenced by his fantastic showdown with Cody Rhodes back at All In 2019, and Gunther is still among the best wrestlers in the world. With that said, if the SmackDown general manager wins, John Cena should come out of retirement and beat everyone on the roster out of spite alone.

Prediction: Gunther

Hell in a Cell: Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar

The Beast Incarnate will do the right thing and put Femi over in the third and concluding match in their rivalry, just as The Undertaker did for him inside Hell in a Cell back in 2002. If not, it will be a creative misstep so large even the aforementioned Cena's heel turn of 2025 will cringe. This one is all about firmly establishing The Ruler as a main event draw.

Prediction: Femi

Championship Match Predictions

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United States Championship Match: Trick Williams vs. Baron Corbin

The product of a sneak attack by Corbin after SmackDown went off the air Friday, Trick Willy will defend his title against the returning Nomad in the latest championship clash added to this year's show. Williams is red-hot and incredibly over, but booking Corbin to lose his first match back is counterproductive.

Prediction: Corbin wins the title

Intercontinental Championship Match: Penta vs. Chad Gable

Gable's entire redemption story has been geared toward him winning the championship that has eluded him his entire WWE career. Doing so by beating Penta and earning the respect of the top luchador in the company today is the most apropos conclusion.

Prediction: Gable wins the title

Women's World Championship Match: Iyo Sky vs. Liv Morgan

Sky defeated Morgan at Night of Champions to win the Queen of the Ring and set this match up. Considering the women's division has been on hold until Stephanie Vaquer returns to set up her inevitable WrestleMania rematch with Morgan, the champion retains here.

Prediction: Morgan retains the title

Interim WWE Women's Championship Ladder Match

Charlotte Flair, Jade Cargill, Chelsea Green, and Women's United States champion Tiffany Stratton have already qualified for the match, while Giulia will square off with Lash Legend to determine the final entrant on Friday's SmackDown.

The creative before WWE Women's champion Rhea Ripley suffered the knee injury that put her out of action seemed to be leading to another entry in her rivalry with Flair. If that is the case, The Queen returns to her throne and wins the ladder match. If not, give the title to the beloved Green.

Either way, look for Blake Monroe to interfere and prevent hometown hero Stratton from capturing her second title.

Prediction: Flair wins title No. 15

World Heavyweight Championship Match: Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns

The entire multi-year story between these two is leading to Reigns proving that he is mentally strong enough to overcome the past and exorcise the Rollins demon from his closet. A swerve could happen, sure, but this feels like a match The OTC is destined to win.

Prediction: Reigns retains the title

Undisputed WWE Championship Match: CM Punk vs. Cody Rhodes

It is too early to take the title off Punk. Add to that a rivalry still in its infancy, and there is plenty of reason for the Best in the World to fend off Rhodes and retain his title in Minneapolis.

Especially from a long-term booking perspective. More on that in a moment.

Prediction: Punk retains the title

Bold Booking Decision: Rhodes Gives In To Desperation

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Cody Rhodes has done everything right.

He overcame nepo-baby claims, left WWE on his own terms, promoted All In in a 10,000-seat arena when no one thought it possible, revolutionized the industry by co-founding All Elite Wrestling with The Young Bucks, Kenny Omega and Tony Khan, and returned to the industry's top promotion as a conquering hero.

He overcame injury, won the Royal Rumble, shook off a crushing defeat at the hands of Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 39, won a second Rumble, and ended the Tribal Chief's historic run against all odds.

He has represented the company as its face and QB1, becoming a hero for millions and wrestling's top babyface. Except now, he is feeling the backlash from fans tired of the "golden boy" excelling at the expense of everyone else.

With the weight of the business on his shoulders and desperation to be champion for the fourth time adding to it, he enters SummerSlam and his main event against CM Punk for the Undisputed WWE Championship with a clear path toward an eagerly anticipated heel turn.

"I need to beat you, Rock. I need it more than you could ever imagine," Steve Austin told his WrestleMania X-Seven opponent before their iconic clash, which ended when ol' Stone Cold turned heel and accepted the assistance of Mr. McMahon to regain the WWE Championship that had eluded him.

It is that same desperation to be the guy in WWE that fuels Rhodes and should result in him fully embracing the dark side that we got glimpses of in his WrestleMania 42 match against Randy Orton.

This is an edgier Rhodes, a Superstar who has experienced the high of being champion and is not ready to relinquish it, especially to a guy who has been so influential in his career.

While some would expect Punk to turn, WWE can take a massive swing at a time when it needs it most with a heel turn that alters the course of Rhodes' immediate future and injects the product with much-needed freshness and excitement.

Surprise Return: Stephanie Vaquer

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La Primera recently appeared as part of WWE's presence at Fanatics Fest, perhaps evidence of an impending return.

There would be no bigger stage this summer for the former women's world champion to make her comeback and reignite her rivalry with Liv Morgan than SummerSlam.

While Morgan should retain her title, Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez are likely to be in the vicinity, and a post-match beatdown of the champion's opponent, Iyo Sky, could set up Vaquer to make the save to a big pop.

If so, expect the Fall months to be dedicated to the Chilean-born competitor chasing the title she never should have lost at the Showcase of the Immortals.

Potential sleeper candidate: Randy Orton, avenging his WrestleMania loss to Rhodes