WWE News & Rumor Roundup: Major star not wrestling at SummerSlam, Cody Rhodes' next 3 challengers, massive Bloodline spoiler
Welcome to the latest edition of Sportskeeda Wrestling's WWE Roundup, where we look at the biggest stories of the day in the wrestling world.
Today has brought us some interesting news involving Cody Rhodes and The Bloodline, including a spoiler for next week's SmackDown. A report on a huge match at SummerSlam has also been uncovered, making things exciting as The Biggest Party of The Summer approaches. So, let's get into today's stories!
#3. Cody Rhodes' WWE Title defenses in Japan
While he is facing Solo Sikoa at SummerSlam, Cody Rhodes will be defending the Undisputed WWE Championship multiple times before his match against the new Tribal Chief. The American Nightmare is among the headline names for the company's tour of Japan, which kicks off next week.
According to PWInsider, Rhodes will defend his WWE Title three times in Japan, with three different challengers stepping up. He is set to take on Shinsuke Nakamura in Osaka and AJ Styles in Tokyo, before facing the two of them and LA Knight in a Fatal Four-Way Match on the second night in Tokyo.
A busy few weeks for the champ.
#2. Plans for CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre at SummerSlam
For months, it seemed like CM Punk's in-ring return would come against Drew McIntyre, most likely at SummerSlam. That looks to be the case as long as The Best in the World is cleared, according to a report from WrestleVotes. However, there's a twist.
The report indicates that WWE is planning for Seth Rollins to be the special guest referee for Punk vs. McIntyre. He has been inserted into the feud after the Chicago native's actions indirectly cost The Visionary the World Heavyweight Title at Money in the Bank. This would mean that Rollins is not wrestling at SummerSlam.
CM Punk's expected clearance date is July 29th, which is five days before SummerSlam. It remains to be seen how physical he and Drew McIntyre get at The Biggest Party of The Summer, following months of personal animosity between the pair.
#1. Spoilers for next week's WWE SmackDown
WWE taped the in-ring portion for next week's episode of SmackDown last night, following this week's episode. This is because of the aforementioned tour of Japan, with a lot of the roster taking part in it. If you wish to avoid spoilers, please skip the rest of this article.
The biggest development was The Bloodline's big tag team turmoil win, as Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga last eliminated the Street Profits to earn a WWE Tag Team Championship match. The other teams involved were Pretty Deadly, The O.C., Legado del Fantasma, and the team of Baron Corbin and Apollo Crews.
It isn't known when they will challenge DIY, although one can expect a title change when it happens. In other happenings on next week's episode of SmackDown, Nia Jax and Tiffany Stratton defeated Bayley and Michin, with The Role Model getting pinned.
Logan Paul attacked LA Knight right after The Megastar's victory over Santos Escobar. Meanwhile, Grayson Waller threw Austin Theory under the bus as the former United States Champion got knocked out by boxer Terence Crawford following a confrontation in the ring.