WHO EMERGES AS THE ULTIMATE WWE CHAMPIONSHIP SUCCESSOR IF CODY RHODES VACATES?
Cody Rhodes stands tall as Undisputed WWE Champion after WrestleMania 42. We explore potential successors and the title's future path.
Cody Rhodes has reclaimed the spotlight in WWE, standing tall once again as the Undisputed WWE Champion after a demanding run at the top.
Yet, in pro wrestling, momentum can shift in the blink of an eye. After the beating he took post-WrestleMania 42 and the physical grind of recent matches, there’s been a quiet buzz about what might happen if he can’t defend the title.
Over the last day, Sportskeeda dug into this very scenario. While nothing official is hinting that Rhodes will give up the championship, the mere talk underlines just how unpredictable the main event scene feels right now.
If WWE had to name a new champion out of the blue, a handful of names would quickly come to mind.
CM Punk stands out thanks to his undeniable credibility.
CM Punk remains one of the roster’s most captivating figures. His comeback changed the game, and his latest performances reminded everyone why he once ruled the world title scene. If Rhodes had to step away, Punk wouldn’t need much buildup to step into that spotlight.
What makes him compelling is the fire he brings to every feud. His presence alone raises the stakes instantly.
If the title became vacant, you’d want someone who already carries that larger-than-life vibe. Punk fits perfectly. He brings history, edge, and a reputation that commands attention from the moment his music hits.
Oba Femi could signal a bold new path.
Oba Femi isn’t the conventional choice, but that’s exactly why his name draws interest. Over the past year, he’s steadily become one of the hottest rising stars. His blend of strength and agility turns heads, and WWE has shown faith by giving him meaningful opportunities.
Putting Femi at the top would mean WWE is serious about building the future now. It wouldn’t be the safe route, more like a statement.
When WWE has surprised fans before, it often changed the product’s direction for months. Femi winning the title would inject fresh energy and open up matchups fans haven’t seen before.
Drew McIntyre would bring steadiness and proven leadership.
Drew McIntyre knows the pressure of carrying a championship. He has been the face of the company and understands what it means to hold down the fort. His past title runs made him a reliable main event presence.
If the belt became vacant, McIntyre would be the steady hand you could count on. He consistently delivers solid matches and brings a serious tone to his feuds.
There’s no adjustment period with him. He knows how to make big matches feel important and keep momentum through major live events. In uncertain times, that familiarity can be a real asset.
LA Knight offers an undeniable crowd connection.
Few talents generate buzz the way LA Knight does. His knack for reading and commanding a crowd has turned him into one of WWE’s fan favourites. Wherever he goes, the chants follow, and over the past year, WWE has steadily raised his profile.
Giving Knight the championship might feel like a win for fans who have organically pushed for him. He feeds off the energy, which could translate to strong TV segments and headline matches.
Some might wonder if he’s been consistently given top-tier positioning, but his upward momentum suggests he’s closer than many realise. A vacancy could be the break he needs.
Randy Orton remains the safest, most complete choice.
Randy Orton often leads this conversation for a good reason. His legacy stands tall with multiple world titles, decades in main events, and an ability to evolve across generations that makes him a dependable choice.
His recent encounters with Rhodes add depth here. There’s history and tension that make a quick pivot believable.
If needed, Orton could slide back into the championship picture without causing a storyline stretch. He naturally carries prestige. When he holds a world title, it carries real weight. That kind of aura can’t be faked.
Why this discussion is relevant now
The idea of Cody Rhodes giving up the championship is still just speculation. But the fact that credible contenders immediately come to mind speaks volumes about WWE’s current landscape at the top.
Each possible successor suggests a different direction.
Choosing Punk would lean into star appeal and instant buzz. Picking Femi focuses on future potential. McIntyre would bring calm and dependability. Knight represents organic fan momentum. Orton preserves tradition and credibility.
These aren’t just interchangeable options. Each path would shift storylines, rivalries, and pay-per-view plans for the foreseeable future. That’s why this kind of debate holds weight. Titles in WWE aren’t just props; they help define entire eras.
Right now, Rhodes still holds the belt. Until something official changes, he remains The American Nightmare.
But wrestling is all about unpredictability. Injuries, surprises, and storyline twists can flip everything upside down at any moment.
BROCK LESNAR SHOCKS WWE OFFICIALS WITH UNPLANNED WRESTLEMANIA 42 RETIREMENT SIGNAL NOW
Brock Lesnar stunned WWE at WrestleMania 42 by retiring off-script. Discover the meaning of the "X" sign and Triple H’s reaction.
A clip of Brock Lesnar making the X gesture after his Wrestlemania 42 match against Oba Femi has been spreading rapidly on social media. Many interpret the symbol as a sign that Lesnar might have deviated from the planned script.
After his emotionally charged match, Lesnar left his gloves and boots in the centre of the ring and shared a heartfelt hug with his on-screen advocate, Paul Heyman.
Viewers quickly speculated that the 48-year-old former UFC star was signalling his retirement, especially given the match’s brevity, just four minutes and 42 seconds, and the surprising nature of the move, which, according to Fightful, caught WWE officials off guard.
Reports suggest WWE hadn’t anticipated Lesnar retiring in Las Vegas. Instead, they expected the announcement to come later, likely at SummerSlam in August, which is set to take place in his hometown of Minneapolis.
After the event, WWE’s chief content officer, Triple H, told ESPN that it seemed that way when asked if Lesnar had made up his mind to retire. He added, “Brock is not a guy who walks back through the curtain to have a long conversation.”
Of course, millions witnessed Lesnar leaving his gear in the ring, while some caught the “X” signal he flashed before embracing Heyman, a gesture historically used in wrestling to signal authenticity or an unplanned moment.
Fans reacted strongly to the incident.
One wrote: During his emotional retirement, Brock Lesnar threw an 'X' sign to Paul Heyman and the cameras. In wrestling, this signal lets everyone know something real and off-script just happened. A truly LEGENDARY end to an ERA.
Another said simply, "Paul Heyman's face says it all," while a third added, "I think Brock made that decision in the ring." I don’t think it was planned or that Paul had any idea it was coming.
Comments like, "This means Heyman didn’t know?" That’s crazy, appearing alongside remarks praising Lesnar’s autonomy, such as He definitely made this decision himself and didn’t let people in on it. Good for him. Legend of the game.
In the aftermath, Triple H, whose real name is Paul Levesque, offered his thoughts on Lesnar, describing him as a unique athlete and paying tribute to his legacy.
“There was no discussion afterwards," he said. “I’ll say this: Brock is probably the most famous combat sports athlete of our generation. No one likes him. People see Brock as this hulking brute, the Beast, but what often gets overlooked is his intelligence as a fighter.
“There comes a time when someone bigger and better pushes you to a point of no return. The smart ones recognise that moment and decide to call it quits.
“I don’t think this was something planned. Brock went into the ring and ran into a wall named Oba.
“Brock faced the next big thing and hit a brick wall. His intelligence told him, ‘Maybe it’s time to call it a day.’ He took off his boots, set down his gloves, and walked away.
“That’s not Brock showing fear. It’s an intelligent man recognising something unstoppable. It speaks as much about Oba as it does about Lesnar.”
He summed up by saying, “What you witnessed was a changing of the guard at the highest level of our business.”
WHY CM PUNK SWATTED A FAN'S PHONE TO PROTECT AJ LEE'S PRIVATE MOMENT
CM Punk was filmed swatting a fan's phone in Las Vegas after WrestleMania 42. Discover the details of the incident and his title loss.
When you look into CM Punk’s eyes, what comes to mind? There’s a sense of him shutting down yet another fan who stepped over the line. We haven’t fully grasped the depth of his frustration, but it’s clear he’s been through tough moments, especially after seeing his aspirations unravel because of the OTC. Setting all the humour aside, Punk didn’t hold back when confronted with a fan filming a private moment. He was actually caught on video swatting a phone away from someone who was recording his wife, AJ Lee, sharing a hug with Bayley at a Las Vegas hotel just hours after what many call “The Super Bowl of Pro Wrestling".
TMZ Sports shared a clip capturing that exact moment when Punk knocked the phone from the fan’s hand. Security quickly moved in to create some space, and Punk’s mentor, Ace Steel, stepped up to help calm things down. The fan kept apologising for recording the personal moment, but Punk replied with, “No, you’re not.” The video ends with him and Lee walking away together.
Punk isn’t alone in voicing concerns about fans pushing boundaries to snap photos or grab autographs. Back in October 2025, he made a pretty clear statement on social media: “We unfortunately have to have this conversation again. Do not turn up at airports. Do not show up at hotels. I cannot believe I have to say this. DO NOT FOLLOW PEOPLE. You’ve repeatedly been politely told no; respect it. You are not a fan; you are a stalker and will be treated as such. Respect the boundaries. Stop harassing people.”
“The Best in the World” is currently recuperating from his last match at WrestleMania 42, where he fell to Roman Reigns in the main event on Sunday night. Punk’s World Heavyweight Championship reign started on November 1, 2025, lasting 169 days with the title. This recent WrestleMania marked the 11th time Reigns headlined the event. It’s been two years since Reigns lost the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40, ending an epic 1,316-day run as champion.
