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Of course, being left off a poster does not necessarily mean a superstar will miss the show. The global juggernaut often selects specific stars for promotional material based on ongoing storylines and marketing priorities. Still, the omission of multiple champions has raised eyebrows among fans.
That said, in this article, we look at 10 current WWE champions who did not appear on the Night of Champions 2026 poster.
#9. &10. Brie Bella & Paige
The WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions were among the most notable omissions from the promotional artwork.
Brie Bella and Paige shocked the wrestling world when they captured the titles at WrestleMania 42. They have quickly become one of the most talked-about duos in the division. Their star power alone would make them ideal candidates for a major premium live event poster.
However, WWE may currently be focusing more heavily on the singles championships and the Queen of the Ring tournament. With multiple major women’s storylines unfolding simultaneously, the company could simply have chosen to spotlight other competitors.
Nevertheless, seeing the Women’s Tag Team Champions absent on the poster is surprising.
#8. Sol Ruca
Sol Ruca has become one of the fastest-rising stars in WWE since winning the Women’s Intercontinental Championship.
Her title reign has helped establish the relatively new championship. Also, she has consistently delivered standout performances whenever given the opportunity. Given her growing popularity, many expected her to feature prominently in Night of Champions promotional material. Instead, Ruca was left off the poster entirely.
#7. Tiffany Stratton
Tiffany Stratton has quickly evolved into one of WWE’s biggest female stars.
As the Women’s United States Champion, Stratton has consistently been featured across the company’s programming. She remains one of its most marketable talents. Her charisma, athleticism, and confidence have helped elevate the title since its introduction. That’s why her absence from the poster feels particularly unusual.
Many fans expected Stratton to be one of the faces of the event. Yet the champion was nowhere to be seen. While she will likely still defend her title at the event, her omission certainly caught fans by surprise.
#5. & #6. Bron Breakker & Austin Theory
The alliance between Bron Breakker and Austin Theory has proven highly effective since the former replaced Logan Paul as one-half of the World Tag Team Champions.
The champions have successfully established themselves as a major force within the tag team division. Despite holding one of WWE’s most prestigious tag team championships, neither superstar appeared on the Night of Champions poster.
#3. & #4. WWE Tag Team Champions Damian Priest & R-Truth
Few partnerships have generated as much entertainment as Damian Priest and R-Truth. The unlikely duo has become a fan favorite thanks to their contrasting personalities and surprising chemistry. Since winning the WWE Tag Team Championship, they have consistently delivered both memorable matches and entertaining segments.
Given Priest’s established main-event credentials and R-Truth’s enduring popularity, many expected the champions to receive a spot on the promotional poster. Instead, they joined the growing list of titleholders who were excluded.
#2. Penta
Penta’s rise since arriving in WWE has been nothing short of remarkable. His unique style and international popularity have made him a standout attraction on RAW.
For that reason, many fans expected the Luchador star to be included on the Night of Champions poster. The IC Title has long been regarded as one of the company’s most prestigious, often serving as a stepping stone for the main event scene. Hence, leaving the reigning champion off the promotional material inevitably raised questions.
Penta remains one of WWE’s fastest-rising stars. Thus, making his absence one of the poster’s biggest surprises.
#1. Roman Reigns
No omission was more shocking than that of World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns.
Whether fans love him or hate him, Reigns remains one of WWE’s biggest attractions. The Tribal Chief has been the centerpiece of countless major events throughout his career. He has continued to be one of the company’s most recognizable stars. Considering Night of Champions revolves around title defenses, many assumed the World Heavyweight Champion would be one of the first names included on the poster. Instead, Reigns was nowhere to be found.
However, the OTC was not scheduled for the event, which is why WWE reportedly decided to pull him from some of his June television appearances to avoid building up the show without its top star.
With Triple H confirming that every championship will be defended at the event, fans can still expect these titleholders to play important roles in the show. However, their exclusion from the official poster remains one of the most talked-about aspects of the company’s promotional rollout for Night of Champions 2026.
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