10 New Directions For WWE After Night Of Champions 2026
'King' Oba Femi takes everything. Sami Zayn has Kevin Owens? Nick Aldis wrestling?!
There's no going back now.
Any fears WWE fans had about Brock Lesnar screwing Oba Femi out of the crown and handing King Of The Ring on a silver platter to Jey Uso were allayed over in Saudi Arabia on Saturday. Oba convincingly wrecked 'Main Event', seized that sparkly crown and punched his ticket to SummerSlam. So, mind you, did IYO SKY on the Queen Of The Ring side.
IYO immediately announced that she's coming for Liv Morgan in August post-match, but we'll have to wait until Raw for concrete proof that Femi is on the prowl for Roman Reigns. The other option open to him is brand new WWE Champion and nearly-man no more Sami Zayn. The reborn heel claimed gold by beating Cody Rhodes and Gunther in a fun-packed Triple Threat in Riyadh.
This is an experience that'll live with Sami forever even if his title reign proves short. Listen, there's always the chance that Cody will beat him to regain the strap in Minneapolis, but that sounds far, far too boring for these pages. Instead, let's dream a little and wax lyrical about a magic comeback that'd vindicate the "fight forever" chants Zayn and an old pal have been hearing since their ROH days.
Clearly, the obvious answer on where WWE goes next is Raw > Saturday Night's Main Event on 18 July > SummerSlam, but there's a ton more to unpick when analysing the nuances of Triple H-led booking. Time to play detective and ponder where everyone in major spots on the roster is headed!
10. Trick Moving On To Melo
Even the biggest fans of Trick Williams and Ricky Saints would have to relent that their Night Of Champions match would've been better-placed on an episode of SmackDown. It never went above TV quality. That's not necessarily meant as an insult, because it was a midcard battle for a midcard belt, but yeah - it didn't hit the heights some would've been hoping going in.
Now, WWE either go with a Triple Threat and keep Saints involved at Saturday Night's Main Event, or they go straight up Trick vs. Carmelo Hayes. That singles showdown would be a fine bout for SummerSlam though, so the 3-way might be for the best in the short-term. Maybe 'Absolute' Ricky deserves another stab at it.
Albeit with the added action of Melo, who "don't miss" (incase you were wondering).
Seriously though, Williams vs. Hayes is a much more urgent and vibrant feud than anything involving Saints at the moment. That isn't strictly on Rick, but he's a newbie by comparison to Trick or Carmelo in the eyes of WWE's fanbase and definitely needs to mix up some of his mannerisms. They're coming across a little too AEW/independent wrestling for the grand stage.
Personally, this fan would burn through the Triple Threat at MSG in mid-July, then get right to the meat of the matter of an ex-NXT mentor-meets-protege battle between Melo and Trick Willy. A series of bouts vs. Hayes is precisely what Williams needs during this United States Title run, and it looks rather likely to happen.