Cody Rhodes out of WWE title match after attack; Punk steps in at SummerSlam

Cody Rhodes sidelined as CM Punk replaces him in WWE title clash at SummerSlam

Cody Rhodes will not defend the Undisputed WWE Championship at SummerSlam after he was attacked by Gunther on the July 14 episode of *Monday Night Raw*, forcing WWE to insert CM Punk as Sami Zayn’s replacement.

What happened in Chicago?

On the July 14 *Raw* in Chicago, Cody Rhodes was booked to face Sami Zayn for the Undisputed WWE Championship. Rhodes never made it to the ring. Instead, Gunther ambushed him backstage, leaving Rhodes unable to compete. WWE then announced Punk as Zayn’s replacement. The crowd erupted when Punk strode to the ring and defeated Zayn to capture the title in one of the year’s best TV matches.

Why it matters for Cody Rhodes

Rhodes’ absence reshapes the SummerSlam main event. Punk and Zayn’s title bout now moves to the top of the card on August 3 in Cleveland. Rhodes and Punk must still team together first, facing Zayn and Gunther at *Saturday Night’s Main Event* on July 19 in New York City. The booking keeps Rhodes in the spotlight even as he misses the title match.

AEW’s title shake-up mirrors Rhodes’ past

Kenny Omega ended MJF’s AEW World Championship reign on the July 17 *Dynamite* in a stipulation match: lose and you’re barred from future title shots. The rule mirrors the stipulation Rhodes faced when he lost to MJF earlier in 2026. Omega survived a low blow and a one-count, then hit the One-Winged Angel to win the belt in a match that felt like a pay-per-view main event.

What comes next?

SummerSlam and AEW’s All In are barreling toward August with slow-burn builds. Rhodes remains on the *Raw* roster and will still team with Punk before SummerSlam. All In on August 23 in Chicago delivers Omega’s first title defense. The next two weeks promise more twists before the summer’s marquee shows.