WWE SummerSlam 2026 predictions: Picks, winners for every match

[ASFN Admin]

MINNEAPOLIS — New champions and heavyweights are guaranteed to be standing tall at SummerSlam 2026.

WWE's second major premium live event of 2026 will again be a two-day showcase with a plethora of matches scheduled inside U.S. Bank Stadium − and it's a card that lives up to the status of the summer spectacle.

One piece of gold that will have a new title owner is the WWE Women's Championship, which will have an interim winner due to the injury of current champion Rhea Ripley. But will there be any other changes? There's a good chance when the top belts in the company are part of the five titles that will be defended.

A matchup just as massive is the third showdown between Oba Femi and Brock Lesnar, with "The Ruler" out to possibly retire the longtime beast of wrestling. Also, Nick Aldis makes his WWE match debut, going all out by facing the mighty Gunther.

SummerSlam has a knack for being an event where surprises go down, so here are the predictions for a WrestleMania-like weekend.

Night one​

Gunther vs. Nick Aldis​

• Jordan Mendoza: It will be a treat to see Aldis in the ring, and don't be surprised to see him pull off some moves that surprise the crowd. However, Gunther needs to get back on a course toward the top tier of the roster. It's a hard fought battle but the "Ring General" gets his mojo back. Winner: Gunther.
• Richard Morin: I don't even know what we're doing here. Gunther retired Goldberg, John Cena and AJ Styles just to face an on-screen general manager at SummerSlam. Winner: Gunther.

LA Knight, Solo Sikoa and Royce Keys vs. The Bloodline (Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso and Jacob Fatu)​

• Jordan Mendoza: This should continue to open the door for Sikoa as a face. The Bloodline is still too deep as long as Fatu keeps on being the unhinged enforcer. Winner: The Bloodline.
• Richard Morin: At the end of the day, one of these groups is a bona fide faction and the other is not -- and while the build for this was actually quite fun, I think we all know The Bloodline is going over here. Don't be surprised if Solo joins the fold. Winners: The Bloodline.

Nikki Bella, Brie Bella and Paige vs. Fatal Influence (Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid)​

• Jordan Mendoza: With Nikki Bella back to health, this one feels like an obvious way to get the veterans over the up-and-coming tag team champions to continue the feud. Something to watch will be if Paige starts to get isolated and hint at a potential breakup. Winner: Nikki Bella, Brie Bella and Paige.
• Richard Morin: This feels like a moment-making match for the young Fatal Influence faction, who desperately need a legacy win to ascend the hierarchy of the women's division. I could even see The Bella Twins turning on Paige. Winners: Fatal Influence.

Hell in a Cell match: Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar​

• Jordan Mendoza: Absolute carnage is on the docket for this one. There will be major, viral moments and it's going to be insane to see this trilogy. Regardless if this really is it for Lesnar, "The Ruler" needs this to continue his push toward becoming a major star in a passing of the torch. Winner: Oba Femi.
• Richard Morin: The machine is behind Femi – and for good reason – so there is little to speculate in terms of outcome. But will they actually let these two behemoths brutalize one another, or will they water it down? Winner: Oba Femi.

Women's World Championship match: Liv Morgan (c) vs. Iyo Sky​

• Jordan Mendoza: Finally, Morgan is defending her title. This reign has been really bad and she should be given the chance to have a successful defense, but not only is Sky just a gift in the ring, the Danhausen curse still looms, spelling "trouble trouble" for Mogan. Winner: Iyo Sky.
• Richard Morin: I still don't know whether Liv is still cursed by Danhausen so the result is anyone's guess here. It does feel like there is more that could go wrong for Liv, be it a Judgement Day betrayal or Stephanie Vaquer returning. Winner: Iyo Sky.

Undisputed WWE Championship match: CM Punk (c) vs. Cody Rhodes​

• Jordan Mendoza: What a delight to see these two go one-on-one in the ring with a real chance to create some magic. Punk's sudden reign doesn't make complete sense, but this should be a feud that isn't just a one-time thing. In the first of what should be a few battles, the current champion is able to hold on. Winner: CM Punk.
• Richard Morin: I'm not really sure how we get there or what shenanigans we could see, but it feels like Punk is moving forward as champion for at least another cycle. Randy Orton feels like a logical choice for a return, which could cost Cody the win. Winner: CM Punk.

Night two​

'Human Monies on a Pole' match: Danhausen vs. Dominik Mysterio​

• Jordan Mendoza: Does the undefeated streak continue? Danhausen has yet to lose in WWE. The momentum can't really die down now, and even with The Judgment Day after him, there will be some weirdness going on that results in him winning once again. The only real question is how chaotic this match gets, which is bound to be a complete mess. Winner: Danhausen.
• Richard Morin: It's not a ladder match but Dirty Dom knows a thing or two about SummerSlam matches that involve things suspended above the ring. I think this is going to be a shenanigans-fest filled with weird magic, zombies and unexplainable feats of the occult. Winner: Danhausen.

Match to be No. 1 contender for Undisputed WWE Championship: Finn Balor vs. Sami Zayn​

• Jordan Mendoza: Everyone loves seeing Balor getting opportunities at the top title, but there's clearly still a push for Zayn. Still, the title chase needs a fresh start and you just don't move Balor to SmackDown without a general direction. Plus, Zayn is going to find his way in the conversation somehow Winner: Finn Balor.
• Richard Morin: The winner of this match becomes the No. 1 contender to the Undisputed WWE title, which will be contested the night before. I don't think WWE is going back down the Sami Zayn well, so let's give Finn Balor some glory. Winner: Finn Balor.

Intercontinental Championship match: Penta (c) vs. Chad Gable​

• Jordan Mendoza: This is a strong leader to be the best match of the weekend. Gable is on fire and Penta is going to bring out his A-game for a potential five-star classic. With it being in his hometown, it's time for Gable to finally get past his lucha shortcoming and capture that elusive title. Winner: Chad Gable.
• Richard Morin: It's time for Gable to get his moment. I'm not sure what they have prepared for him after this, but they've told a really compelling story to get here and these two performers should put on an absolute showstopper. Winner: Chad Gable.

United States Championship match: Trick Williams (c) vs. Baron Corbin​

• Jordan Mendoza: Corbin's return has been cool, but really confusing and pushed heavily when there were better suitors for Williams. It'll be a real bad look for Corbin to suddenly snatch the title, so the right call is to keep whooping that trick. Winner: Trick Williams.
• Richard Morin: Has anyone checked on Carmelo Hayes? I don't think Baron Corbin has anywhere near enough momentum to unseat the hugely popular Hollywood Trick in a singles match. Winner: Trick Williams.

Ladder match for Interim WWE Women's Championship: Tiffany Stratton vs. Jade Cargill vs. Chelsea Green vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Giulia/Lash Legend​

• Jordan Mendoza: This quite the cast of stars and it's intriguing to guess who can hold the crown until Rhea Ripley returns, but we also don't know when that could be. The best immediate path forward is Flair getting back to singles royalty, paving the way for the the friendship with Alexa Bliss to end and give fans a great feud. Winner: Charlotte Flair.
• Richard Morin: As much as I love the idea of Green winning gold − albeit on an interim basis − we need an interesting feud partner when Rhea Ripley returns. Charlotte makes the most sense. The question is whether the interim championship counts toward her 14 world title victories. Winner: Charlotte Flair.

World Heavyweight Championship match: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Seth Rollins​

• Jordan Mendoza: This match needs no introduction. The history is second to none in today's landscape, with a longstanding rivalry possibly having one last dance. Savor this one as much as you can. Rollins has always had Reigns' number, and even with no one helping him, the "OTC" finally slays the dragon he's been battling his entire career, standing tall over Rollins in an emotional thriller. Winner: Roman Reigns.
• Richard Morin: The story we've been fed hints at a Roman win here, but we know the OTC will shift back to a part-time schedule sooner rather than later. So, will Rollins once again stand tall over his former teammate – or does WWE have something else up their sleeve? Logistics aside, I think Roman's character badly needs this victory. Winner: Roman Reigns.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WWE SummerSlam 2026 predictions: Picks, winners for every match

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