WWE SummerSlam 2026: Ranking Every Match and Making Final Predictions

For the first time, the US Bank Stadium will host SummerSlam this weekend. Target Center was home to the last Elimination Chamber PPV at the time, and multiple Monday Night Raws. Minnesota was in the bidding war twice for WrestleMania but was outbid both times. Instead, Minnesota was granted a two-night extravaganza. Here is a breakdown of each match ranked by interest level, along with a preview followed by predictions at the end.

The Show-Stealer

Chad Gable is on his quest to win the Intercontinental Championship against Penta. These two have the potential to put on the best match of the whole PLE. WWE needs to give them at least 15 minutes and let them cook. Gable is a technical masterpiece, while Penta is an aerial phenom. It’d be very nice to kick off either night to kick things off with a bang.

From GM to WWE Superstar

WWE made the decision not to go through with plans to have Gunther feud with LA Knight, Roman Reigns, or Brock Lesnar. Instead, they pivoted to another option. The Ring General has claimed he’s been getting screwed out of title shots and has gotten physical with GM Nick Aldis. Aldis wrestled in the NWA as Magnus and was the World Heavyweight Champion there. Nick Aldis is no longer GM, and these two are ready to tear each other apart.

Two Men’s Path to Redemption

Sami Zayn had one appearance as WWE champion after winning it, and it was during a pre-tape show. He then lost it to CM Punk, and has rejuvenated his character since. This past Friday, he cut the promo of the year in WWE and will now face Finn Balor at SummerSlam to become the #1 contender for the WWE title. Ten years ago, Balor was crowned the inaugural Universal Champion, beating Seth Rollins. He relinquished the belt due to an injury, and now both men are looking to get back what they never should’ve lost to begin with.

Brotherhood or Betrayal

Two SHIELD members on a collision course for the World Heavyweight title. Rollins claims Reigns; he’s never beaten him, which is false. WWE has been presenting video packages highlighting their brotherhood, but they haven’t been very effective. Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns debuted in 2012 along with Dean Ambrose as the SHIELD. Two years later, Rollins stabbed his brothers in the back to side with the Authority. He cashed in at WrestleMania 31, and pinned Roman to become the WWE champion. Matter of fact, all three SHIELD members held the title within five minutes of each other at Money in the Bank. The only question remaining is whether the Bloodline gets involved in the Night 2 Main Event of SummerSlam. There is also the rumor that The Rock could return as well, setting up a match down the line. This is going to be a highly anticipated matchup, but expect the Tribal Chief to walk out of SS as champion.

Interim WWE Champion

On the topic of the women’s top title picture, let’s take a look at what WWE brilliantly decided to do with Rhea Ripley. Ripley suffered a torn meniscus at Clash in Italy, and they decided not to have her relinquish the title. Instead, Adam Pearce announced a 5-Way Ladder match to crown the Interim WWE Women’s Champion. The winner will face Rhea upon her return to determine who is at the top of the mountain. The contestants include Jade Cargill, Tiffany Stratton, Chelsea Green, and Charlotte Flair. The final qualifier is this Friday between Guilia and Lash Legend.

You're Just Dusty’s Son

CM Punk is defending his WWE championship against Cody Rhodes, but WWE took an odd path to get there. Punk won the belt from Zayn in his hometown of Chicago, and appeared on SmackDown. Rhodes interrupted, and they both had googly eyes for each other. The match was made official, and the only other development was Punk hitting Rhodes with the strap after their match at SNME. This prompted the two to brawl backstage. At least they turned up the heat last Friday, and Cody Rhodes was smirking as the fans booed him. The creative direction is for Punk to be the face of the blue brand, so he is walking out champ.

Brock Lesnar and Oba Femi are Raisin’ Hell

Focusing solely on the match, this is the finale for both Brock Lesnar and Oba Femi. These two will fight inside Hell in a Cell, and it’s looking like Femi will pick up the victory. With both competitors tied at 1, they’ll settle the score at SummerSlam. This will likely kick off the PLE to set the tone for the rest of the night. This must be a showcase of domination from the Nigerian Giant over the Beast Incarnate. He can take multiple F-5’s, suplexes, and big bumps, but WWE needs this to be an impetus to a match with Roman at WM 43 for the title. Minneapolis will give Brock a proper sendoff. That is, unless the creative team has more plans for him.

Trouble, Trouble, In the Sky

When Stephanie Vaquer took a hiatus after WrestleMania 42, Triple H and co. threw their hands in the air and walked away from the table when going over Liv Morgan’s creative plans. With Rhea on the shelf, her friend Iyo Sky won the Queen of the Ring by pinning who? Liv Morgan, the Raw Women’s Champion.’ Now, Iyo Sky challenges Liv Morgan for the title, and it’s a tough one to predict. It’d be a shame for Morgan to lose the title after never having defended it. However, their match will likely feature interference from the Judgement Day. Liv’s faction has shown cracks for months, and it’s only a matter of time before they turn on her. An Iyo loss would have the women’s division in trouble, trouble.

The Nomad Returns

Baron Corbin is back after a (x) years of absence. In his previous stint with WWE, he was King Corbin, Happy Corbin, and Broke Corbin. Now he looks to be an upgraded version of the Lone Wolf. He has attacked US champ Trick Williams more than once, and these two are on a collision course at SummerSlam. This could go either way, but Corbin can’t lose after his return.

The Bloodline Void

Royce Keys, LA Knight, and Solo Sikoa are facing the Usos and Jacob Fatu. The only interesting dynamic about this match is no one knows who the good/bad guys are. It is great that the creative team got all these men on the card. Either team can win, so it’s a matter of who takes the pin. I am going to say Knight will take the pin for the Avengers, and Jimmy Uso for the Bloodline. This can be entertaining if given the time, but I wish so many wrestlers weren’t stuck in the Bloodline vortex.

WE ARE ALL CURSED!

Remember when Dominik Mysterio got NUCLEAR HEAT from the WWE fans, or when he won the IC title from John Cena? How far he has fallen. Dirty Dom is taking on Danhausen at SummerSlam. Unless they find a way to get uncursed, maybe all it took was for a face-painted vampire to dismantle the Judgment Day for good.

She’s Back

Short, sweet, and to the point. The women’s tag titles get to appear on a big PLE, The Bellas Twins are back, and someone’s turning heel.

Final Predictions

Winners: Fatal Influence, Chad Gable, Danhausen, Team Jacob Fatu, Baron Corbin, Iyo Sky, Oba Femi, Sami Zayn, Nick Aldis, Roman Reigns, CM Punk, Charlotte Flair