​On Monday night, WWE legend CM Punk stunned the wrestling world by returning after a three-month absence and ending Sami Zayn’s Undisputed WWE title reign after a mere nine days. The victory backs up the recent whispers that Punk is bound for SmackDown to serve as their top champion. A fresh report from Wrestle Votes suggests this switch has been brewing for some time, with NBCUniversal, the parent company of USA Network, pushing for Punk to join the blue brand over the past year. The piece also notes that as part of his move to Friday nights, Punk is expected to enjoy a lengthy title run.
With that context in mind, here are five feuds fans would love to see during Punk’s current run as WWE Champion. The industry consensus is that Punk’s first major marquee bout as champion will likely be against his longtime friend Cody Rhodes, a matchup that has lingered as a tantalizing possibility since hints were dropped on the first RAW after WrestleMania 42. SummerSlam, a two-night spectacle hosted at the home stadium of the Minnesota Vikings, demands as many blockbuster battles as possible, and there is no louder, more compelling box-office clash on SmackDown than Punk versus Rhodes.
Damian Priest, who currently holds one-half of the WWE Tag Team Championship, recently made his in-ring debut for AAA. That excursion could serve as a chance to pivot his character away from SmackDown and perhaps lean into a heel persona. If Priest experiences success with this reimagined iteration, a return to SmackDown with that tougher edge could be in the cards, reviving his path toward the main event. The idea of Priest embracing a sharper, more merciless demeanor and targeting Punk could re-create the kind of main-event pressure he had a couple of years ago, reigniting his status as a top-tier threat.
Kevin Owens figures to reappear on WWE television sooner rather than later. With neck surgery in the rearview and a steady presence around the company in recent months, Owens has been outspoken about his feelings toward Punk. A short title reign for Punk and a subsequent clash with Owens would only intensify that simmering rivalry, giving fans a potent built-in storyline. A Punk versus Owens program is widely regarded as a dream feud by many enthusiasts and seems destined to happen at some point in 2026.
Shinsuke Nakamura, the Japanese veteran who has sometimes found himself in precarious spots as WWE trims the roster of seasoned performers who aren’t getting regular opportunities, could be a compelling challenger if the company chooses to squeeze what remains of his prime years into a fresh arc. The prospect of Punk and Nakamura sharing the ring is appealing to longtime fans and represents a genuine dream match for those who want a rivalry for the champion during lulls between the major programs. If WWE wants a strong, credible challenger for Punk without immediately jumping into a larger program, Nakamura would be a robust option.
Randy Orton has not been seen in action since WrestleMania 42, and there are persistent, whispered reports about a back injury that could keep him sidelined for a while longer. Eventually, though, Orton is expected to return to WWE TV. When he does, pairing the Legend Killer with Punk could produce a renewed rivalry between two future WWE Hall of Famers with a rich history together. The layers of their past and the potential for new storytelling could yield an engaging, high-stakes program that would also perform well from an SEO perspective, drawing in fans who have followed their careers for years.
These potential rivalries offer a range of storytelling angles, from personal history and grudges to fresh character reinventions and dream-match appeal. If WWE plays its cards right, Punk’s SmackDown era could be memorable for the sheer depth of rivalries and the intensity these matchups would bring to Friday nights.