WWE Night Of Champions 2026: 8 Things That NEED To Happen

4. Cody Profits From Sami Zayn’s Work, But...

...Sami leaves with the title. Not by winning it, but by blasting Cody Rhodes with a belt shot out of spite before claiming that he's the rightful WWE Champion on episodes of SmackDown going forwards. That'd give Nick Aldis further reason to threaten suspensions, which would in turn hand Zayn the platform to re-air elements of his old conspiracy theorist character.

He's "the last real good guy", Nick. Pay attention, son!

WWE has done a masterful job of building things to the point that a Triple Threat was necessary between Cody, Sami and Gunther. Here's the deal: Rhodes has benefitted from suspect ref calls since becoming champ again, and Sami is perfectly entitled to cling to that when he's wondering how a close friendship with Cody turned so sour.

Meanwhile, Rhodes believes that Zayn is just jealous of his success, and Gunther is prowling around desperate to become the champion he says SmackDown needs. It's a powerful mix of personas and stories, and it's been the glue holding WWE's blue brand together in recent weeks.

At NOC, it'd be for the best if Sami looked like he was about to beat Gunther and win that elusive WWE Title. Then, springing out of nowhere like his old nemesis Randy Orton, Cody can cutter him and steal the pin for himself without doing anything more to the 'Ring General'.

After the match, a frustrated beyond belief Sami has to crack Rhodes with his own belt again then leave with it. 'If you won't let me win it fairly, then I'm taking it'. Those sorts of vibes.