WWE SummerSlam plans for the Undisputed WWE Championship may not lead to a simple one-on-one match. According to Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the company could move toward a multi-man contest involving CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Gunther, and possibly Sami Zayn.
The WWE SummerSlam title plans originally pointed to CM Punk defending the championship against Cody Rhodes. However, what happened on WWE RAW changed that direction. Gunther attacked Rhodes and took him out before Punk defeated Sami Zayn to win the title.
“The plan for the WWE title was always Cody Rhodes vs. Punk. And it easily could be that with the booking where Punk won the world title without ever beating Rhodes.”
WWE SummerSlam Title Plans Complicated After RAW Angle
Cody Rhodes now has two clear motivations. He still has a rightful claim to the championship because Punk did not defeat him to win it. At the same time, Gunther’s attack gives him a strong reason to go after revenge first.
“However, from the angle on Raw, where Gunther injured Rhodes, allowing Punk to win the title from Sami Zayn, it would feel like Rhodes would be out for revenge against Gunther first before facing Punk. Rhodes vs. Punk match would mean more than Rhodes vs. Gunther.”
This creates a situation where WWE can combine multiple storylines into one match. A singles match between Punk and Rhodes remains a major attraction, but the current angle supports expanding the match instead of delaying one side of the story.
Sami Zayn also remains an important part of the picture. His title reign lasted only nine days before Punk defeated him in Chicago. WWE has already shown his strong reaction to losing the championship, which makes it difficult to leave him out of the next title opportunity.
“They could also make it a three-way or even a four-way with Zayn, which would be likely to be announced next week.”
A multi-man match at WWE SummerSlam would address every ongoing issue. Rhodes would get his title opportunity without ignoring Gunther. Sami would have a chance to regain the championship after his short reign. Punk would defend the title against multiple challengers who all have valid reasons to be in the match.
This approach would also protect the bigger singles match between Punk and Rhodes for a later event. That match still carries significant value, and delaying it could make it even stronger when it eventually happens.
With WWE SummerSlam approaching, the direction for the championship is no longer straightforward. Instead of one challenger, CM Punk may have to face several at once.
WWE SummerSlam Title Match Could Become Multi-Man Showdown
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