First-time Undisputed WWE Champions to be crowned: Three stars who could win SmackDown’s top prize

WWE

Sami Zayn is the latest star to add his name to the prestigious lineage of the Undisputed WWE Championship for the first time, winning the gold in June.

Zayn won a three-way match against Cody Rhodes and GUNTHER at Night of Champions to win his first world championship in WWE.

With Zayn since losing the gold to CM Punk, and winning it back in September, there has been some speculation about the next star to add his name to the list of Undisputed WWE Champions, which started with Buddy Rogers in 1963.

While many of the current title contenders have previously held world championships, there are several stars who could soon win a world title for the first time.

Here are three SmackDown stars who could win the Undisputed WWE Championship for the first time.

Johnny Gargano

On the September 4 SmackDown episode, Johnny Gargano stood up for the first time in months and challenged for CM Punk’s Undisputed WWE Title.

Gargano has interfered in every single WWE Championship this match in hopes of earning another title match, including the September 11 bout which saw Zayn become champion.

While Gargano hasn’t yet earned a title shot against Sami Zayn, an eventual championship match feels like an inevitability, with the Rebel Heart having influenced the results of several high-profile matches.

With Johnny Wrestling’s constant presence in the WWE Championship picture and frequent title changes this year, there are many reasons why fans have hope that Gargano will hold the company’s top title in the future.

Trick Williams

Trick Williams has been presented as a future WWE main eventer since his NXT days, ahead of the star officially joining SmackDown at the beginning of 2026.

Williams has had an impressive main roster rookie year, winning the United States Championship twice and sharing the ring with numerous former world champions, including Randy Orton, Finn Balor, and Sami Zayn.

With Williams defeating Zayn for the US Championship at WrestleMania 42, it’d make a lot of sense for him to challenge for Zayn’s Undisputed WWE Title.

Following a tense interaction ahead of Money in the Bank, Williams and Zayn could be set for a collision, which could result in a new world champion being crowned.

Matt Cardona

Following Matt Cardona’s official return to the company in January, the “Indy God” told Cody Rhodes in a backstage segment that his ultimate goal following his comeback was to win the Undisputed WWE Championship. 

Cardona’s WWE return was initially reminiscent of how Rhodes called his shot upon returning to the company, even if the star hasn’t exactly looked like a million bucks in the months since.

While he hasn’t exactly been booked like a world title contender, Cardona’s injury absence gives WWE the opportunity to reset, and push the star as a strong challenger.

A world title victory would be monumental for Matt Cardona, who is either an Undisputed WWE Championship or World Heavyweight Title win away from being a Grand Slam winner.

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• wwe
• Sami Zayn
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