All articles tagged with #wwe championship
Sami Zayn defeated CM Punk on September 11 in Mexico City to reclaim the WWE Championship, marking the fifth title change of 2026. While WWE insiders suggest the move was strategic to avoid a Reigns-Punk rematch at Crown Jewel, critics argue the chaotic finish lacked emotional depth and may undermine the title's prestige.
CM Punk returned to Raw in Chicago to win the WWE Championship from Sami Zayn, ending Zayn’s title reign after nine days. In the immediate aftermath, Zayn lashed out in a non-PG rant before breaking down in tears, leaving the WWE title picture wide open as SummerSlam looms.
CM Punk made a surprise return on Raw in Chicago and defeated Sami Zayn to reclaim the WWE Championship, ending Zayn’s nine-day title reign after a backstage setup involving Cody Rhodes and a confrontation with GUNTHER. Punk overcame Zayn with a sequence including the Helluva Kick and GTS to win, setting up a likely Punk vs. Cody Rhodes match at SummerSlam.
Sami Zayn defeated Cody Rhodes and Gunther in a chaotic Night of Champions triple-threat in Saudi Arabia to win his first WWE Championship, sealing the victory with a roll-up on Rhodes as he attempted a second Cross Rhodes.
On SmackDown’s go-home show for Clash in Italy, Gunther and Cody Rhodes traded barbs, with Gunther reaffirming his vow to end Rhodes’ run and capture the WWE Championship, a boast he previously tied to ending the careers of Goldberg, AJ Styles, and John Cena.
A new report says WWE dramatically reshuffled plans, moving Cody Rhodes versus Gunther into the next WWE Championship feud after Gunther attacked Rhodes on SmackDown, redirecting Gunther from a previously planned program with Roman Reigns and signaling a future title bout between Rhodes and Gunther.
Cody Rhodes invaded Pat McAfee's studio with a baseball bat to reclaim the WWE Championship, ensuring he'll head into WrestleMania 42 night one in Las Vegas with the belt, though whether he retains at Mania remains uncertain.
Cody Rhodes defeated Randy Orton in the main event to win back the WWE Championship on SmackDown and earned a WrestleMania title rematch in Las Vegas; the show also advanced Sami Zayn’s selfish-ambition storyline, teased a Ripley–Cargill showdown, and highlighted Carmelo Hayes’ US title defense along with a new Tag Team Turmoil lineup, finishing with a solid B grade.
Cody Rhodes defeated Drew McIntyre on SmackDown to win the WWE Championship for the third time, in a chaotic finish involving a second referee and interference by Jacob Fatu, then pinned McIntyre with a crossroads to secure the title and set up a WrestleMania 42 match against Randy Orton. A contract signing for WrestleMania 42 was also announced for next week’s SmackDown.
Cody Rhodes captured the WWE Championship on SmackDown after a chaotic finish involving Jacob Fatu, defeating Drew McIntyre and setting up a WrestleMania 42 title defense against Randy Orton in Las Vegas.
Rumors suggest WrestleMania 42's WWE Championship match will be Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton, a change from the previously discussed Drew McIntyre vs. Cody Rhodes or a multi-person bout. The plan, backed by Cody's camp and PWInsider, reflects ongoing creative flux during the build to WrestleMania.
At WWE's Elimination Chamber, Seth Rollins made a surprise return to the ring, while Randy Orton outlasted competitors to earn a WWE Championship title match, setting up a high-profile showdown for the title.
After Elimination Chamber, Nick Aldis announced on SmackDown that Drew McIntyre will defend the WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes this Friday; Rhodes earned the title shot by winning the Chamber, while Randy Orton earned a Mania title opportunity, setting up further storyline angles (including possible Logan Paul/Paul Heyman involvement).
SmackDown GM Nick Aldis announced that Drew McIntyre will defend the WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes this Friday on SmackDown, setting up a marquee title clash ahead of WrestleMania following the Elimination Chamber event.
Fightful Select reports that Drew McIntyre’s February 6 SmackDown promo critiquing CM Punk and Roman Reigns was written by Cristian Scovell, following earlier attacks by Cody Rhodes and Jacob Fatu; the segment framed McIntyre as SmackDown’s backbone and the defending Undisputed WWE Champion ahead of WrestleMania season.