3 Shocking heel turns you won’t see coming on WWE SmackDown tonight (July 10, 2026)

”
], { type: “text/html” }
);
const iframe = document.createElement(“iframe”);
iframe.src = URL.createObjectURL(blob);
iframe.style.cssText = “width:100%;height:100%;border:0;”;
container.appendChild(iframe);
attachIframeMessageListener(iframe);
}
const observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries, obs) => {
const entry = entries[0];
if (entry.isIntersecting) {
obs.unobserve(entry.target);
requestIdleCallback(() => {
initWidget(entry.target);
}, {
timeout: 200
});
}
}, {
root: null,
rootMargin: “300px 0px”,
threshold: 0.01
});
requestIdleCallback(() => {
$all(“.nl-inline-form-container”).forEach((c) => {
observer.observe(c);
});
});
})();

That said, in this article, we look at three shocking heel turns you won’t see coming on WWE SmackDown tonight.

#3. Women’s United States Champion Tiffany Stratton

Tiffany Stratton has spent the last several weeks in an unusual position. Although she remains the reigning Women’s United States Champion, the Buff Barbie has found herself teaming up with Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, and Chelsea Green against Jade Cargill’s alliance.

However, those partnerships have largely been based on convenience rather than trust. The champion has repeatedly found herself caught in the crossfire of the ongoing rivalry.

Thus, tonight could be the perfect opportunity for Stratton’s true colors to emerge. If Charlotte Flair or Chelsea Green accidentally costs Tiffany another important match or leaves her to fend for herself during a post-match attack, the champion could finally have enough. Instead of standing beside her allies, Stratton could lay them both out with the Women’s United States Championship before reminding everyone that she has never needed friends to stay on top.

Such a move would instantly restore the arrogant, self-centered persona that helped make Tiffany Stratton one of WWE’s fastest-rising stars. Also, a heel turn would refresh the women’s division on SmackDown. Instead of portraying Tiffany as an uneasy ally, the company could fully embrace her cocky attitude and position her as the division’s biggest villain heading into SummerSlam.

After all, “Tiffy Time” has always been at its best when everyone else has been forced to live by her rules.

#2. Undisputed WWE Champion CM Punk

CM Punk received one of the biggest moments of his career when he defeated Sami Zayn to capture the Undisputed WWE Championship. However, not everyone has celebrated his victory.

Many fans have argued that Punk only became champion because Cody Rhodes was brutally attacked by Gunther before the scheduled title match. Others believe Sami Zayn was robbed of a fair championship reign after Punk unexpectedly stepped into the main event. Those criticisms could become a major talking point when Punk appears on SmackDown for the first time as champion.

Instead of trying to win back the audience, The Second City Saint could lean into the backlash. He could walk to the ring expecting a hero’s welcome, only to hear mixed reactions from the WWE Universe. Rather than defending himself, the champion might mock the fans for acting as though he stole the championship.

Punk could remind everyone that he didn’t attack Cody Rhodes, nor did he make the match. He simply did what every superstar dreams of doing: accept an opportunity and win the biggest prize in the company.

From there, The Second City Saint could take things a step further by saying he doesn’t care what the fans think anymore. He could claim that the WWE Universe spent years begging for his return, only to turn on him the moment he reached the top again. According to Punk, their opinions never paid his bills or won him championships, so their approval means absolutely nothing.

To cement the heel turn, the champion could even dismiss Sami Zayn as someone who wasn’t good enough to keep the title in the first place. Also, he could ridicule Cody Rhodes for being unable to protect his own opportunity.

The promo would transform CM Punk from a beloved babyface into a champion who believes the entire world owes him respect. Considering WWE has advertised Punk for a busy summer schedule, a villainous version of the champion could create compelling rivalries with several top babyfaces heading toward SummerSlam.

#1. Cody Rhodes

Perhaps no superstar has more reason to change than Cody Rhodes. The American Nightmare watched his championship opportunity disappear. Gunther’s vicious backstage assault prevented him from competing against Sami Zayn. Moments later, his close friend CM Punk accepted the vacant spot in the match and walked away as the new Undisputed WWE Champion.

Although Punk technically did nothing wrong, Cody could easily view the situation differently. Imagine Rhodes opening SmackDown by congratulating the champion before slowly questioning how quickly his supposed friend took advantage of the situation. He could accuse The Second City Saint of caring more about becoming champion than checking on someone who had just been attacked backstage.

As the promo intensifies, The American Nightmare’s frustration could boil over. Instead of shaking CM Punk’s hand, Cody Rhodes could suddenly blast him with a Cross Rhodes, shocking both the audience and the locker room. He wouldn’t need to align himself with Gunther or anyone else. His motivation would simply be betrayal.

Cody could argue that Punk stole the moment he had earned, regardless of whether the champion technically followed the rules.

That perspective would make Rhodes a far more dangerous character than fans have seen in years. Rather than the inspirational hero chasing championships, he would become an obsessed competitor convinced that everyone, including his closest allies, is standing in the way of his reclaiming what belongs to him.

Also, a heel turn would create one of WWE’s hottest rivalries heading into SummerSlam. Punk and Rhodes share enough history and mutual respect that watching their friendship completely collapse would feel far more personal than a traditional championship feud.

Whether Triple H pulls the trigger tonight remains to be seen. However, if the company wants SmackDown to end with fans talking all weekend, few moments would generate a louder reaction than seeing Cody Rhodes abandon the values that made him one of WWE’s biggest heroes.