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The show’s official poster also features Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley, and United States Champion Trick Williams from SmackDown. Hence, they will likely defend their respective titles in Riyadh later this month. Tonight’s episode of the blue show will sow the seeds for some of the title matches.
Night of Champions 2026 will be a crucial pitstop on the road to SummerSlam. It will have a significant impact on The Biggest Party of the Summer’s match card. Hence, SmackDown will look to deliver some compelling storylines for the spectacle after arguably being outperformed by RAW in recent months.
In this article, we will discuss three bouts WWE can announce for Night of Champions 2026 on the blue show.
#3. Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Gunther for the Undisputed WWE Championship could be confirmed on SmackDown
Cody Rhodes has been on a hot streak since capturing the Undisputed WWE Championship from Drew McIntyre earlier this year on SmackDown. At WrestleMania 42, he defeated his former mentor, Randy Orton, in a barbaric match. Despite sustaining a gruesome eye injury at the event, Rhodes didn’t remain on the sidelines for long.
Gunther moved to SmackDown following WrestleMania and set his sights on the Undisputed WWE Championship. He targeted The American Nightmare on many occasions. However, Rhodes always found a way to bounce back. At Clash in Italy, the duo squared off for the world title in a dream match.
The Ring General and The Prodigal Son unsurprisingly delivered a stellar bout. However, the outcome left a sour taste in fans’ mouths. Gunther’s foot was under the bottom rope when he was successfully pinned by Rhodes. Many viewers expected the Austrian brawler to win after he retired legends, such as Goldberg, John Cena, and AJ Styles. But he ended up suffering a controversial defeat.
On the Clash in Italy Post-Show, Rhodes offered another championship shot to Gunther because of the controversial finish to their bout in Turin. Tonight, a furious Gunther could confront general manager Nick Aldis and force him to book a rematch as soon as possible.
With Night of Champions inching closer, Aldis could pit Rhodes against The Ring General at the event. The duo must square off in a rematch to compensate for their lackluster showdown last month. Moreover, it could be a marquee match at the Riyadh spectacle.
#2. Trick Williams (c) vs. Carmelo Hayes for the United States Championship
Carmelo Hayes was dominating SmackDown as the United States Champion before shockingly being dethroned by Sami Zayn on the Road to WrestleMania. The decision received significant backlash from many fans, as they wanted to see Melo defend the gold against his former teammate, Trick Williams, at The Show of Shows.
Trick Williams defeated Zayn to win the United States Championship at WrestleMania. Since then, he has only gone from strength to strength. Williams has already defended the gold against The Master Strategist at Backlash and is now looking for his next challenger.
On the May 22 edition of SmackDown, Hayes confronted the United States Champion. Their promo battle led to an impromptu non-title match. Unfortunately for Melo, he failed to defeat Williams. However, their program is seemingly far from over.
Hayes and Williams have been facing each other in title matches at live events as part of WWE’s ongoing European Summer Tour. The company usually books big matches on house shows before presenting them at premium live events. Triple H & Co. could be using the same approach for Hayes vs. Williams.
The United States Champion is advertised for Night of Champions 2026. Therefore, he will likely defend his gold on the show. With Zayn seemingly in the rearview mirror for Williams, he could go up against Melo in a title match in Riyadh. On tonight’s SmackDown, WWE could officially announce that Williams and Hayes will square off for the title at the upcoming premium live event.
The match could be confirmed after Williams fails to advance in the King of the Ring Tournament on SmackDown, possibly due to Hayes.
#1. Paige & Brie Bella (c) vs. Fallon Henley & Lainey Reid for the Women’s Tag Team Championship
Paige and Brie Bella have established themselves as a formidable duo after capturing the Women’s Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania 42. They have been fighting champions, defending the gold against major tandems, such as The Judgment Day and The Irresistible Forces.
The Glampire and Brie defeated Lash Legend and Nia Jax for the second time at Saturday Night’s Main Event XLIV. The duo is now seeking their next big challenge. An up-and-coming tag team could step up to the champions on tonight’s SmackDown.
Fatal Influence has been a force to be reckoned with since debuting on the main roster. The faction has already defeated the all-star trio of Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair, and Alexa Bliss. With Jacy Jayne competing in the Queen of the Ring Tournament, Lainey Reid and Fallon Henley could pursue the Women’s Tag Team Championship.
WWE has already teased a feud between Fatal Influence and Scream Mode. The heel faction attacked the champions in their very first appearance on SmackDown. Hence, the story is already there for WWE to book a match between them.
Officials in Saudi Arabia love to witness legends in action at their premium live events. Paige and Brie are immensely popular among fans worldwide. Therefore, they could be booked to defend their championship against the up-and-coming tag team in Riyadh later this month.
The two sides could come face-to-face on this week’s SmackDown. Their potential interaction could force Aldis to book them in a match at Night of Champions 2026.
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