7 Changes To WWE SmackDown After CM Punk Championship Win

WWE

Following the July 6 edition of Monday Night Raw, CM Punk is now the Undisputed WWE Champion on Friday Night SmackDown.

After this latest title win, there could be a lot of turnover and changes to the blue brand now that Punk is on Friday nights.

From the landscape changing with new and returning stars, to feuds being rekindled, there will be a ripple effect throughout WWE SmackDown coming off the heels of this title change.

Here are seven potential changes to WWE SmackDown after CM Punk’s championship win.

7. CM Punk Becomes The New Face Of SmackDown

Now that CM Punk is the Undisputed WWE Champion, the face of Friday Night SmackDown will also be changing.

Since winning the top prize in the company back in 2024, Cody Rhodes has served as the face of the blue brand.

With Rhodes losing the gold at WWE Night of Champions 2026 and being replaced on the July 6 Raw, “The American Nightmare” will have to move aside for “The Best In The World.”

Punk coming to SmackDown to be the figurehead of the brand would be interesting to see how Rhodes responds to this change.

6. Sami Zayn Snaps & Officially Turns Heel

Over the past few months, Sami Zayn has been going through a huge attitude change that has seen him expressing his frustrations as of late.

After failing to win the Undisputed WWE Championship at Royal Rumble 2026, Zayn has been having issues with Cody Rhodes and even won the United States Title to secure his spot for WrestleMania 42.

This has led to the fans reacting to Zayn differently in recent months even after his Undisputed WWE Championship victory at Night of Champions 2026.

Following his loss on the July 6 WWE Raw, Zayn could officially snap and turn heel to fully embrace his fragile mindset over the past few months.

5. Drew McIntyre Is Back In The Main Event Picture

At WWE WrestleMania 42 Night One, Drew McIntyre defeated Jacob Fatu in an Unsanctioned Match.

Since this loss, McIntyre has not appeared on WWE television with no signs of his return at this time.

“The Scottish Warrior” making his return should lead to him reinserting himself into the main event picture.

After losing the Undisputed WWE Championship back in March, McIntyre might want to get back in the mix for the title following CM Punk’s recent victory.

4. Ilja Dragunov Goes After The Undisputed WWE Championship

At the end of 2025, Ilja Dragunov lost the United States Championship and has been sporadically featured on WWE TV ever since.

During his US Title run last year, “The Mad Dragon” has proven himself as one of the best and most intense in-ring workers in WWE today.

After cementing himself with the US Championship reign, it might be the right time for Dragunov to move up to the main event scene.

Dragunov challenging CM Punk for the Undisputed WWE Championship could open the door for a new member involved in the top title picture moving forward.

3. GUNTHER Rekindles Rivalry With CM Punk

Back at WWE SummerSlam 2025, CM Punk defeated GUNTHER to win the World Heavyweight Championship.

Following this bout, “The Ring General” was absent from WWE programming for the next few months.

Now that they are both on Friday Night SmackDown, GUNTHER could go after the Undisputed WWE Championship following Punk’s title victory.

Considering he was responsible for Punk becoming Cody Rhodes’ replacement on the July 6 WWE Raw, GUNTHER might feel “The Best In The World” is in debt to him and owes him a title match in the near future.

2. Randy Orton Makes His Return

At WWE WrestleMania 42 Night One, Cody Rhodes defeated Randy Orton to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship.

After this bout, Orton attacked and laid out Rhodes with a title belt shot and a Punt Kick to the head.

Since then, “The Legend Killer” has not appeared on the company’s programming, but he could be on his way back sooner rather than later.

Orton returning now that CM Punk is the Undisputed WWE Championship could see him rekindle his own rivalry with “The Second City Saint” more than 15 years since their first meeting.

1. Cody Rhodes Heel Turn

Over the past few months, Cody Rhodes has been undergoing changes that have seen him showing more and more heel tendencies.

Most recently, Rhodes beat GUNTHER to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship with GUNTHER’s foot under the ropes at Clash In Italy 2026.

Then, “The American Nightmare” was attacked by GUNTHER and removed from his scheduled title bout against Sami Zayn on the July 6 edition of Monday Night Raw.

Now that Punk is on SmackDown, Rhodes has the chance to play a new role and become a top heel on Friday nights moving forward.

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