6 Surprises At WWE SummerSlam 2026

WWE

WWE SummerSlam 2026 has shaped up to be one of the biggest and most important premium live events of the year so far.

Considering the event’s significance, the company might have a few surprises across the two-night show on August 1 and 2.

With over 30,000 fans in attendance on both nights in Minneapolis, there could be a litany of returns, new champions crowned and major shifts in characters at WWE SummerSlam this weekend.

Here are seven potential surprises at WWE SummerSlam 2026.

7. Chelsea Green Wins The Interim WWE Women’s Championship

On the July 24 episode of Friday Night SmackDown, Chelsea Green defeated Kiana James to advance to the Interim WWE Women’s Championship ladder match at SummerSlam 2026.

Green has had a sudden character shift with the longtime antagonist making an effort to embrace Tiffany Stratton, trying to make her a new friend following the recent departure of Alba Fyre.

With the crowd in support of Green’s turn, it seems like the two-time WWE Women’s United States Champion has more momentum than ever.

Considering the field for the five-way ladder match, Green feels like a realistic option to win the Interim WWE Women’s Championship at SummerSlam 2026 in Minneapolis.

6. Stephanie Vaquer Is Back To Cost Liv Morgan The WWE Women’s World Championship Against IYO SKY

At WWE WrestleMania 42 night one, Liv Morgan defeated Stephanie Vaquer to win the WWE Women’s World Championship.

Following the event, Morgan and The Judgment Day attacked Vaquer backstage, leading to ‘La Primera’ being sidelined with a serious shoulder injury.

After being absent from WWE TV for months, it feels like the right time to bring Vaquer back into the fold.

With Morgan set to defend the Women’s World Championship against IYO SKY, Vaquer could help ‘The Genius of the Sky’ even the odds with The Judgment Day and help to win gold at SummerSlam 2026.

5. El Grande Americano Shows Up To Help Danhausen Defeat Dominik Mysterio In The Human Monies On A Pole Match

Over the past few weeks, El Grande Americano and Dominik Mysterio were seemingly working together in a feud with Los Perros Del Mal in Lucha Libre AAA.

Following his win in the Rey de Reyes match earlier this year, El Grande has earned a shot at Mysterio’s AAA Mega Championship at TripleMania in September, but both men stated they wanted to make sure they go into that match at 100%.

However, ‘Dirty Dom’ showed his true colors when he walked out on Americano in a tag team match against Daga and Angel Garza of Los Perros and also joined forces with the El Ojo stable at the July 25 Verano de Escandalo 2026 event.

With this decision to betray him, Americano could make his way back to WWE TV by returning at SummerSlam 2026 where he could cost Mysterio his Human Monies on a Pole match against Danhausen on night two.

4. Becky Lynch Returns As Final Entrant In The Interim WWE Women’s Championship Ladder Match

At WWE Clash In Italy 2026, Sol Ruca defeated Becky Lynch to win the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship.

Following this loss, Lynch entered the Queen of the Ring tournament, but she came up short in her first round four-way match against Liv Morgan, Chelsea Green and Alexa Bliss.

After this latest failure, ‘The Man’ has not appeared on WWE television over the past few weeks.

Considering her status as one of the biggest female stars in WWE history, the company could insert Lynch right back in the mix by having her be a final entrant in the Interim WWE Women’s Championship Ladder Match at SummerSlam 2026.

3. Drew McIntyre Makes A Comeback

After losing to Jacob Fatu in an unsanctioned match at WWE WrestleMania 42, Drew McIntyre has not been seen on the company’s programming.

Over the past few months, there has been a lot that has changed on the WWE main roster that could make a brand new landscape for McIntyre to explore.

McIntyre is someone who has been one of the top stars for WWE over the past few years and has been missed on Friday Night SmackDown.

Considering his history with CM Punk who is now on the blue brand and The Bloodline who stand on top of Raw, it should be interesting to see where McIntyre lands on the main roster coming out of SummerSlam 2026 following a potential return.

2. Solo Sikoa Turns On LA Knight & Royce Keys To Reunite With The Bloodline

Over the past month, fans have watched a transformation for Solo Sikoa, who has gone from one of the most hated heels to a rising babyface.

Standing up to his family in The Bloodline, Sikoa has joined forces with LA Knight and Royce Keys in a war with his former stablemates.

After losing his own group in The MFTs, it has felt like Sikoa has breathed new life into his character standing on his own and standing against The Bloodline.

However, it seems almost inevitable that Sikoa will one day reunite with The Bloodline and WWE could have him pull the trigger during his six-man tag team bout with Keys and Knight against Jacob Fatu and The Usos at SummerSlam 2026 in Minneapolis.

1. Randy Orton Makes His Return To Confront The Winner Of CM Punk vs. Cody Rhodes For The Undisputed WWE Championship

Another WWE star who has been missing from the company’s television over the past few months is Randy Orton.

At WWE WrestleMania 42 night one, Orton came up short against Cody Rhodes in an Undisputed WWE Championship match. Following this loss, ‘The Legend Killer’ left Rhodes laying in a pool of his own blood after a title belt and Punt Kick to the skull.

After over three months on the sidelines, Orton will make his way back into the fold sooner rather than later.

Orton could make his return at WWE SummerSlam 2026 where a confrontation with the winner of Rhodes vs. CM Punk feels like the best way to reintroduce ‘The Legend Killer’ to the company in an impactful way.

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