3 Mistakes WWE must not make with CM Punk and Cody Rhodes ahead of SummerSlam 2026

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Here are three mistakes WWE must not make with CM Punk and Cody Rhodes ahead of SummerSlam:

#3. Turning any of them heel for a shock factor

WWE always has a temptation to pull off a shocking heel turn whenever two of the biggest stars of the company collide. However, turning either CM Punk or Cody Rhodes heel ahead of SummerSlam 2026 would be a huge creative misstep. Both are currently the two biggest babyfaces in WWE who command organic and deep emotional investment from fans. They thrive as fan-favorites due to their massive connection to the crowd.

Rhodes is the ultimate modern hero for the younger generation of fans who embodies perseverance and integrity. Punk on the other hand is a beloved veteran who represents the voice of the defiant, passionate wrestling fans. Forcing a heel turn just to generate a brief social media buzz or to deliver a shock factor would severely damage this delicate dynamic. This isn’t actually needed when they both have different motives and contrasting characters.

Ruining that natural investment with a cheap villainous turn would therefore feel manipulative and unearned. Heel turns work best when earned through long-term storytelling, not forced swerves. Therefore, keeping Cody Rhodes and CM Punk babyfaces keeps the feud rooted in mutual respect. The company could however showcase subtle tension, perhaps ego, championship pride, or different philosophies for which they are colliding at SummerSlam.

#2. Involving any external factor or other stars into this feud

One of the quickest ways to deflate a blockbuster feud is to overcrowd the storyline with unnecessary side characters or celebrity cameos. Fans already saw a glimpse of it, whether it was Cody Rhodes’ WrestleMania 42 feud with Randy Orton or his WrestleMania 41 feud with John Cena. The rivalries that had the potential to define the modern generation ended up being a fiasco just because the company involved celebrities or external factors in it.

However, Triple H must be very cautious not to repeat that mistake in Cody Rhodes and CM Punk’s SummerSlam feud. For a monumental clash like this, WWE must protect the perimeter of the storyline. Punk and Rhodes don’t need external crutches for their dream showdown. The sheer gravity of them sharing the ring is the entire selling point. Their promos can carry the build on their own, giving rise to several interesting things.

The American Nightmare going up against The Best in the World is a dream feud between two of the biggest WWE stars. It is built on years of friendship, tensions, and shared history. Injecting outsiders when it’s not even required would pretty much dilute its purity and focus. Therefore, the company must let Cody Rhodes and CM Punk carry this storyline on their own with heartfelt and intense promos, citing their history and journey in pro wrestling.

#1. Not letting CM Punk and Cody Rhodes headline SummerSlam

Cody Rhodes and CM Punk are two of the biggest stars in the industry. The two stars going head-to-head, and that too for the Undisputed WWE Championship, is the biggest marquee match in 2026. This colossal showdown deserves to be the main event on one of the nights of SummerSlam 2026. After all, two of the biggest names with massive mainstream appeal are colliding after years in what many believe is a long-awaited dream match.

Not letting Rhodes and Punk headline one night of the spectacle would be a critical error that would undervalue its drawing power and historical significance. SummerSlam is the second biggest event on the WWE calendar, and therefore a marquee matchup of this magnitude demands the highest placement on the card. It deserves to close one of the nights of The Biggest Party of the Summer in Minneapolis.

Headlining a premium live event carries an undeniable prestige that instantly elevates the value of the championship. When Cody Rhodes and CM Punk main event, it would signal to the audience that the ultimate prize in the company is the most important thing on the show. Therefore, the company can only do justice to this Undisputed WWE Championship match by letting it close one of the nights of SummerSlam 2026 at U.S. Bank Stadium.