Sami Zayn, Gunther tipped to topple CM Punk & Cody Rhodes at WWE SNME XLV

Sami Zayn and Gunther are set to face CM Punk and Cody Rhodes at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event XLV on July 19, with a victory guaranteeing both men a place in the Undisputed WWE Championship match at SummerSlam.

What happened?

On the July 18 episode of SmackDown, acting General Manager Adam Pearce raised the stakes for the SNME XLV tag team bout. Pearce announced that if Sami Zayn and Gunther defeat CM Punk and Cody Rhodes, both will be added to the Undisputed WWE Championship match at SummerSlam, turning it into a Fatal Four-Way.

The show closed with Cody Rhodes brawling Gunther in the main event, then CM Punk and Sami Zayn joining the fray in an all-out melee. The escalating tension suggests WWE is priming Sami and Gunther to walk away with the victory.

Why it matters for Sami Zayn

Sami Zayn has everything to gain from a win at SNME XLV. A victory would earn him a spot in the SummerSlam main event, giving him a chance to reclaim the Undisputed WWE Championship he previously lost. For Gunther, the match is a chance to force his way back into the title picture after weeks of feeling sidelined.

Their motivation contrasts sharply with Punk and Rhodes, who are already booked for a SummerSlam championship clash regardless of the SNME result. Sami and Gunther need this win to secure their future, while Punk and Rhodes can afford to treat the match as secondary.

Three signs Sami and Gunther will win

First, WWE’s storytelling points toward a Fatal Four-Way at SummerSlam, which favors Sami and Gunther’s alliance. Second, Punk and Rhodes can’t fully trust each other, risking miscues that Sami and Gunther can exploit. Third, Sami and Gunther share a clear goal: a SummerSlam title shot: while Punk and Rhodes are already looking past SNME to their own rivalry.

What comes next?

If Sami Zayn and Gunther win at SNME XLV, the Undisputed WWE Championship match at SummerSlam becomes a Fatal Four-Way. The added pressure could shift the title picture in their favor, especially if Punk and Rhodes’ fragile partnership collapses under the weight of their impending feud.