Cody Rhodes to Challenge Sami Zayn for Undisputed WWE Title on Raw in Chicago After SmackDown Taping Result

Fresh off his Undisputed WWE Championship victory at Night of Champions, Sami Zayn’s first title defense has already been set — and it’s a big one. Spoilers from this week’s SmackDown taping reveal that Cody Rhodes will challenge Zayn for the title on the July 6 episode of Raw in Chicago.

The night’s events were set in motion when Zayn opened the taped SmackDown and took aim at fans he felt had turned their backs on him. Rhodes came out to offer congratulations but the moment was quickly interrupted by Jey Uso, who has been dispatched by World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns to hunt for the Undisputed WWE Title. With SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis sidelined on administrative leave following a post-Night of Champions confrontation with GUNTHER, acting authority figure Adam Pearce stepped in and booked a match between Rhodes and Uso — winner getting a title shot against Zayn on Raw. Rhodes came out on top, earning him the championship opportunity.

The cross-brand nature of the match is notable on its own, since it’s unusual for a SmackDown title to be defended on Raw. Chicago, of course, adds another layer: it’s the hometown of CM Punk, who has been away from WWE television since a post-WrestleMania Raw in April where he set his sights on the Undisputed WWE Title — which was held by Rhodes at the time. Punk is expected to be part of the SmackDown brand upon his return, and with a major title match booked in his backyard, all signs seem to point toward his comeback happening on this very show, with whatever fallout follows playing out on SmackDown in the weeks ahead.

Whether Punk’s return materializes or not, the July 6 Raw in Chicago is shaping up to be one of the most consequential nights of the summer, with Zayn’s reign barely off the ground and an already loaded situation about to get more complicated.