Next Undisputed WWE Champion After CM Punk

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On the July 6 edition of Monday Night Raw, CM Punk made his return to the company for the first time since the WWE Raw After WrestleMania 42 to defeat Sami Zayn to win the Undisputed WWE Championship.

Punk’s win is huge considering this should mean that he will be heading to SmackDown to assume the role of champion.

Following Punk, there could be any number of WWE stars who could be next in line to dethrone “The Best In The World” and capture the top prize on Friday nights.

Here are eight next potential Undisputed WWE Champions after CM Punk.

8. Sami Zayn

At WWE Night of Champions 2026, Sami Zayn defeated Cody Rhodes and GUNTHER to win the Undisputed WWE Championship.

With Punk’s win on the July 6 WWE Raw, Zayn’s title reign only lasted nine days after waiting over a decade to win the championship.

While this abruptly ended his run, Zayn should still be in the main event mix on Friday Night SmackDown.

Zayn being the one to dethrone Punk would be fitting to give him another reign that can be longer and more fulfilling after waiting all this time.

7. Jey Uso

Following WWE Clash In Italy 2026, Roman Reigns put Jey Uso on the mission of bringing the Undisputed WWE Championship to The Bloodline.

At WWE Night of Champions 2026, Uso lost to Oba Femi in the King of the Ring Tournament Finals.

After losing that bout, Uso once again tried to get himself back into title contention when he faced Cody Rhodes in a number one contender’s match on the July 3 edition of Friday Night SmackDown.

Following these losses, there might be an even more desperate “Main Event” Jey Uso coming out of this and lead to him winning the Undisputed WWE Championship from Punk.

6. Bron Breakker

Bron Breakker has been on a meteoric rise since his arrival in WWE all the way back in 2021.

From the moment he stepped foot on WWE NXT, Breakker was considered a future top star, world champion and WrestleMania headliner.

Considering that he is only 28 years old, WWE has to strap the rocket to Breakker and launch him to the stratosphere as one of the biggest stars in the company sooner rather than later.

Breakker defeating Punk for the Undisputed WWE Championship would immediately place him on a top level and thrust him into the upper echelon of the entire promotion.

5. Cody Rhodes

On the July 6 episode of Monday Night Raw, Cody Rhodes was scheduled to face Sami Zayn for the Undisputed WWE Championship.

However, the show came on the air with GUNTHER viciously attacking Rhodes with a powerbomb through a table and slamming a car door on his head.

Thanks to this assault, Rhodes was forced to go to the hospital and wasn’t medically cleared to compete in the match.

With Punk taking his spot to win the Undisputed WWE Championship, all eyes will be on Cody to see when he will go after his friend’s gold on SmackDown.

4. Randy Orton

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

After the match, Orton attacked Rhodes and laid his former friend out with a Punt Kick to the skull.

Since then, “The Legend Killer” has been absent from WWE television with no signs of his return.

Orton returning to WWE and beating CM Punk for the title would be a great way to immediately thrust him right back in the spotlight upon his comeback.

3. Oba Femi

Oba Femi has been one of the fastest rising stars on the WWE roster in recent memory.

“The Ruler” has staked his claim as the next face of WWE with his overpowering presence and thanks to his recent win over Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 42.

With a bright future ahead, it would not be completely surprising to see Femi in the world title picture sooner rather than later.

After winning the King of the Ring Finals at WWE Night of Champions, Femi feels like a strong candidate to dethrone CM Punk and win the Undisputed WWE Championship whenever he is ready for his title opportunity.

2. Drew McIntyre

Another massive WWE star who has been absent from the company’s television over the past few months is Drew McIntyre.

Since losing to Jacob Fatu in an Unsanctioned Match at WWE WrestleMania 42, McIntyre has not been seen on the company’s programming with fans speculating when he might be back.

“The Scottish Warrior” has plenty of history with CM Punk dating back to their legendary rivalry with “The Best In The World” back in 2024.

To make a major impact upon his return, McIntyre could come in to destroy Punk and take the Undisputed WWE Championship back around his waist.

1. GUNTHER

Following WWE WrestleMania 42, GUNTHER has found himself right in the middle of the Undisputed WWE Championship scene.

At WWE Clash In Italy 2026, Cody Rhodes defeated GUNTHER to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship. However, things ended in controversy with GUNTHER’s foot under the ropes for the winning pinfall.

Then, “The Ring General” was screwed out of the title yet again when Sami Zayn was the special guest referee for his rematch against Rhodes on the June 19 SmackDown.

After being responsible for taking out Rhodes from his planned WWE Title match, GUNTHER could be the one to avenge his loss to CM Punk from SummerSlam 2025 by taking the Undisputed WWE Championship from “The Second City Saint.”

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