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Predicting The Next 5 Undisputed WWE Champions After Cody Rhodes

Brian Dunlop
Cody Rhodes on Smackdown after Wrestlemania. WWE

“The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes is currently scheduled to defend his Undisputed WWE Title against “The Ring General” Gunther, all while the disgruntled Sami Zayn is cast to play the role of special guest referee. Will Rhodes vanquish the Austrian bruiser? Or will The Ring General capture the top prize of World Wrestling Entertainment?

There are plenty of potential outcomes for tonight’s SmackDown. The company is loaded with stars who have the potential to carry WWE through 2026 and beyond. Without further ado, let’s review five predictions for who will win the strap after the current quarterback of TKO’s pro wrestling product.

#5. Gunther is predicted to defeat Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Title

Gunther has retired the likes of Goldberg, John Cena, and “The Phenomenal One” AJ Styles. After retiring some of the largest legends in professional wrestling, the next logical step appears to be becoming the Undisputed WWE Champion for the very first time. The Ring General is a former two-time World Heavyweight Champion, but he has never won the title currently held by Cody Rhodes. Winning this gold could elevate Gunther’s stock to the next level as a pro wrestling superstar.

Whether he wins it on the June 19th episode of SmackDown or at a later date, Gunther appears to be destined to become the next Undisputed Champion in WWE. This seems like an easy prediction to make hours before his title match. However, this prediction was actually made (by Brian Dunlop) on an episode of K100 (dated April 28, 2026, as “Audio Mailbag 4-28”) that wasn’t released on YouTube but is available on their Patreon. Before their feud kicked off, I predicted that Gunther would win the title from Cody, but then he’d lose it to Randy Orton.

#4. Randy Orton is predicted to defeat Gunther for the Undisputed WWE Championship

Orton is having a red-hot 2026 after winning the Elimination Chamber and then main-eventing Night One of WrestleMania 42. Although he wasn’t able to defeat Rhodes for the gold at the 42nd annual Showcase of the Immortals, he can still attain his 15th reign as World Champion before the year is up, though he might not defeat Cody to attain this feat.

Gunther has become the modern-day legend killer, a moniker once held by The Viper. The Ring General can attempt to kill the legend of Randy Orton and retire The Apex Predator for good, much as he did to John Cena, Goldberg, and AJ Styles. However, Orton still has more years left in the tank and will likely topple Gunther as the fans in attendance cheer with delight. If Orton’s much-anticipated 15th World Title win is won against Gunther, this means Cody won’t have a recent loss against Orton if they were to face for the gold with their roles reversed.

SummerSlam would be the ideal location for the start of Orton’s 15th World Title reign, considering that he won his first World Heavyweight Championship at 2004’s SummerSlam, 22 years prior.

#3. Gunther wins the title back from Randy Orton

To make sure that Gunther’s momentum isn’t crushed by the original Legend Killer of WWE, their predicted feud shouldn’t be a clean sweep in favor of Orton. If the Ring General falls to Orton and loses his gold, he should be the one to win it back. WWE could extend Orton’s 15th title reign for however long they want, but Gunther should be the one who’s next in line to become the Undisputed Champion following Orton’s historic reign. However, there’s an argument to be made to make Orton’s reign short and sweet, so that the heel Gunther could spoil the reign of the beloved legend.

Following Gunther’s defeat of Orton, the longest-reigning former WWE Intercontinental Champion could begin calling himself the new Legend Killer with added legitimacy. Gunther could then develop a reign of terror as champion on SmackDown before finally being toppled by The American Nightmare.

#2. Cody Rhodes wins the Undisputed WWE Championship back from Gunther

At this point, The American Nightmare probably feels naked without the Undisputed WWE Championship in his possession. After the Ring General brutalizes the locker room of the blue brand and takes out Cody’s friend, Orton, Rhodes will need to come to the rescue to save the company from the villainous champion.

Cody could continue his babyface arc against the diabolical Ring General. After winning his fourth reign as Undisputed WWE Champion, Rhodes can celebrate as a hero before finally succumbing to the dark side and becoming a heel in a later feud with a different opponent.

#1. Roman Reigns ends Cody Rhodes’ 4th reign as Undisputed WWE Champion

Roman Reigns is currently the World Heavyweight Champion representing Monday Night RAW. However, in the future, it’s easy to predict he’ll be gunning for the Undisputed Title he last held at WrestleMania XL before dropping it in the main event of Night Two to The American Nightmare.

The next time Roman and Cody face off with an Undisputed WWE Championship on the line, the roles may be reversed from their 2023 and 2024 matches. Instead of a heel Roman against a babyface Rhodes, the next time they face off, it could be a villainous Cody versus a heroic Reigns. The American Nightmare could potentially turn on the fans and finally sell his soul to Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. If that happens, we’ll see a new chapter in the Rhodes-Reigns rivalry as well as a potential dream match between The Rock and Roman Reigns with a top championship up for grabs.