13 New Directions For WWE After SummerSlam 2026

Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins gave off "fight forever" vibes during the scorching heat of their World Heavyweight Title main event during SummerSlam's closing night. That's fitting too, because Kevin Owens returned earlier in the night, and he's always heard those chants whenever he's matching up against on/off pal/enemy Sami Zayn over the years.

The latest chapter could be nigh. Unlike The Shield's narrative, that's a story which will probably never die.

So, where does WWE booking go from here? That's the burning question on everyone's lips after Minneapolis and back to back nights of thrills, spills, title changes, returns and more. The most obvious answer is Raw on Monday, SmackDown on Friday, then setting up matches for the next Saturday Night's Main Event on 6 September.

WWE has a 2 month wait until the next major PLE (Money In The Bank on 10 October), so expect this coming SNME to be a bit more stacked than other recent efforts in the series. We could well see some heavy hitters in headliners on regular TV too, which is always welcome, and that's probably for the best when Triple H knows deep down he needs to up the ante on the weekly product.

Here's all the guesswork on what's coming next for stars like Reigns, KO, Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, Chelsea Green, Brock Lesnar, Oba Femi, Nick Aldis, Trick Williams, Liv Morgan and many, many more. The final 4 months of 2026 could well be better than the first half of the year was. Here's hoping, eh?!

What's next? This is next.

Realistically, Nikki and Brie Bella kicking lumps out of Paige had to happen, because the twins aren't particularly likeable regardless of longevity or Hall Of Fame status. Turning on their pal and going heel means Nikki and Brie’s business with Fatal Influence is over too. If this 6-woman tag was anything to go by, then that’s a good thing.

Brie did get injured though, so everyone will just have to wait and see if she's able to keep going in the short-term or if she needs to warm the same bench her sister did. It's also fair to say that Influence deserves better workers to offset the inexperience of Lainey Reid and Fallon Henley in particular. That 6-woman tag got rough in sections.

Jacy Jayne saying: “You’re not needed here anymore” post-match was actually very true. The women's division arguably doesn't need The Bellas or Paige in late-2026. It's hardly like any of the trio deliver scorching matches or can keep up with the best seen elsewhere in the women's game. Legacy star power is really all Nikki, Brie or Paige offer, and that isn't enough if they're stinking up the ring.

If nothing else, at least The Bella Twins returning to playing aloof, elitist heels will garner some sort of reaction from live crowds. They could come in handy should Triple H want to prep a babyface team for the Women's Tag Titles and a crack at the Henley and Reid combo. Ha, who are we kidding? WWE doesn't prep anything when it comes to those belts!