The July 6 episode of WWE Monday Night RAW was an instant classic and has changed the entire trajectory of Friday Night SmackDown and its build-up to the SummerSlam 2026 Premium Live Event.
Sami Zayn shocked the world when he captured the Undisputed WWE Championship by beating Cody Rhodes and Gunther at Night of Champions 2026, only to lose the title nine days later, marking one of the shortest reigns.
The Honorary Uce did not drop his title to The American Nightmare. The latter earned the #1 contender spot by beating Jey Uso clean on the latest episode of SmackDown. In fact, The Prodigal Son was removed from the match on the red brand.
Rhodes was confident as he headed to the building for RAW, but in a backstage segment, Gunther surprised The American Nightmare from behind and busted him up.
The officials had to assist him back to the hospital. Later in the show, Jackie Redmond broke the news that Cody was not fit to compete and would be replaced.
Nick Aldis, who also returned tonight, managed to get a replacement in the face of Chicago's own, CM Punk. The Best in the World came well-prepared, delivered a five-star classic match, and ended The Underdog from the Underground's title reign in just nine days.
Now, Cody Rhodes will have to face CM Punk to get his hands on the Undisputed WWE Championship. Here are four potential reasons why Cody Rhodes was pulled from the Undisputed Title Match on Monday Night RAW:
The Ring General is one of the superstars. WWE has been pushing all his buttons to become a top main-eventer, and his legend-k*ller streak is just proof of it.
However, Gunther has been on a downward spiral since winning the Undisputed WWE Championship and has lost a few matches. He was also not on SmackDown following the title loss at Night of Champions.
Hence, WWE took the necessary steps and gave him a vital role in taking out Cody Rhodes and keeping his ongoing character strong. To sell the aftermath of The Ring General's attack, Triple H may have kept the American Nightmare away from the Undisputed Championship match on RAW.
Cody Rhodes' finishing his story was indeed one of the most engaging storylines in recent memory.
No storyline has peaked like that so far since WrestleMania 40. Also, The American Nightmare has had three successful title reigns since then, and fans have seen a lot of him as a titleholder.
However, now everyone wants to see him chase the title again, as his babyface character fits the championship chase. On the road to SummerSlam 2026, The Prodigal Son going after the Undisputed Championship while handling business with Gunther would be a perfect booking for Rhodes.
This way, the company could even revive Cody's babyface appeal, which has been missing for a long time.
The Best in the World has been missing from WWE television since the post-WrestleMania 42 edition of Monday Night RAW, where he and Cody Rhodes had an intense face-off and laid the groundwork for their dream match for the Undisputed Championship.
WWE may have needed a perfect moment to book Punk's return, and what could have been a better place for The Second City Saint to return than his own hometown of Chicago, get a title match at the last minute, and walk out as the new Undisputed Champion. Hence, this could be another reason why The Game pulled Rhodes off his title match.
Cody Rhodes was a fan favorite to capture the Undisputed WWE Championship on Monday Night RAW and head into a reported match against CM Punk.
However, if the American Nightmare had won the Undisputed Title by beating Sami Zayn, a large section of the WWE Universe would have turned on Rhodes, as he had similarly ended Drew McIntyre's reign earlier this year.
Therefore, Triple H and his creative team came up with a perfect backup plan and put Punk in the match while Rhodes was attacked.
The Prodigal Son is still the number one contender, as he earned his shot by beating Jey Uso on SmackDown, setting the title match between The Best in the World and The American Nightmare for SummerSlam.
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