The Fallout of the Night of Champions Shockwave

Sami Zayn leaving Night of Champions with the Undisputed WWE Championship on June 28 blew up the blue brand's power structure. By pinning Gunther in a chaotic triple threat, Zayn proved that his unorthodox style can overcome sheer physical dominance. The immediate aftermath has left a massive power vacuum at the top of the card, and SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis has moved quickly to fill it.

For the July 3 episode of SmackDown, Aldis has booked a number one contender's match between Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso. This is not just a standard marquee matchup between two of the brand's biggest babyfaces. It is a high-stakes tactical chess match that will dictate the direction of the championship picture heading into the summer.

The history between these two men is deeply layered, stretching from their time as tag team champions to their shared battle against the Bloodline. Yet, friendship is a secondary concern when a shot at the richest prize in the industry is on the line. The winner faces Zayn, a champion whose reign is already marked by volatility and unpredictability.

Rhodes vs. Uso: A Contrast of Ring Styles

To understand how this match will play out, one must look at the contrasting styles of both competitors. Cody Rhodes is a classic southern-style technician who builds his matches around pacing and targeted limb work. He relies heavily on establishing his jab early, setting up the Disaster Kick to keep opponents off-balance. His ultimate goal is to create an opening for the Cross Rhodes, a move he can hit from multiple angles.

Jey Uso, conversely, operates at a completely different tempo. His offense is explosive, emotional, and heavily reliant on striking sequences. Jey averages a high volume of superkicks per match, using them as defensive counters and offensive transition points. His primary win condition is the Uso Splash, a high-risk maneuver that requires him to completely incapacitate his opponent beforehand.

This match will likely be decided by who controls the center of the ring. If Rhodes can force Jey into a grappling battle, he can systematically wear down Jey's shoulders to neutralize the splash. If Jey can turn the match into a chaotic, fast-paced brawl, his superior recovery time and explosive striking will give him the edge.

Analyzing the Pressing Triggers and Pacing

In their previous encounters, Rhodes has shown a vulnerability to opponents who press the action early. During his title run, he often struggled when forced to wrestle from underneath against high-velocity strikers. Jey Uso must exploit this by pushing the pace immediately, looking to land an early spear to disrupt Cody's rhythm. A slow-paced match plays directly into Cody's hands, allowing him to dictate the terms of engagement.

Jey's defense, however, remains his biggest liability. He frequently overcommits on his superkicks, leaving himself open to counters. If Cody can bait Jey into a missed kick, he can easily transition into a Cody Cutter. This tactical mistake has cost Jey in several high-profile matches over the last year.

The Shadow of Gunther and the SmackDown Hierarchy

While the focus is on Rhodes and Uso, the shadow of the former champion looms large over this match. Gunther was furious after losing his title at Night of Champions, confronting Nick Aldis immediately after the show went off the air. The Austrian heavyweight demands a rematch, and his presence makes the number one contender spot a dangerous place to be.

To protect his brand's integrity, Aldis is reportedly looking for external support to keep Gunther in check. Rumors have circulated that the General Manager is preparing to bring back a familiar threat. As reported by WrestleTalk, Ilja Dragunov is expected to make his return to WWE television in the near future. Dragunov, who has been training at the Hart Dungeon, holds a historic victory over Gunther and could serve as the ultimate equalizer.

This potential return adds a massive layer of intrigue to the SmackDown roster. If Dragunov returns to counter Gunther, it frees up the winner of Rhodes vs. Uso to focus entirely on Sami Zayn. Without Dragunov's presence, the new number one contender would likely find themselves targeted by a vengeful Ring General before they even reach the champion.

A Rushed Setup and Jey Uso's Booking Problem

Despite the excitement surrounding this match, it is hard to ignore the questionable booking decisions that brought us here. Forcing Rhodes and Uso into a contender's match feels incredibly rushed. The two men have a rich history as allies, and a match of this magnitude deserves weeks of build-up rather than a sudden television announcement. This hot-shotting risks diluting the emotional weight of their rivalry.

Furthermore, Jey Uso's booking as a singles competitor has been highly inconsistent. Despite his massive popularity, Jey has suffered several clean losses in key matchups over the past six months. His offense has often looked repetitive, relying too heavily on the superkick-and-spear combination without much tactical variation. If Jey is to be taken seriously as a main-event threat, he needs to show more depth in his in-ring story-telling.

This match is a defining test for Jey. A loss here would relegate him back to the mid-card, while a victory would validate his status as a top-tier singles star. For Cody, the match is about maintaining his position at the front of the line after losing his title earlier in the year.

The New York Swing and the Bigger Picture

This match kicks off a pivotal stretch of television for WWE as they prepare for a major return to New York. The promotion is scheduled to host Saturday Night's Main Event at Madison Square Garden on July 18, 2026. This marks a massive return to the iconic venue for the historic brand, coinciding with a massive promotional weekend in the city.

During the same weekend, the Brooklyn Cyclones will host a dedicated WWE Night at Maimonides Park. As detail-oriented fans know, these crossover promotions are designed to build local buzz ahead of the MSG show. A preview of the weekend's promotional schedule was highlighted by PWInsider, detailing how minor league baseball nights are acting as lead-ins for WWE's return to the arena. Even the New York Mets are getting in on the action, hosting a WWE Night later in September.

The winner of the SmackDown contender's match will likely headline that MSG show against Sami Zayn. This makes the stakes on Friday night even higher. The winner gets the glory of walking into Madison Square Garden as the challenger for the Undisputed Championship on a live national broadcast.

The Mercedes Moné Contrast

While WWE is focusing on rebuilding its main event scene, AEW has been making waves with its own stars. Mercedes Moné recently won the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament again and secured her spot for the All In event in London. Her success in AEW has kept her in the spotlight, but fans continue to ask about a potential return to WWE.

Moné recently shut down those questions on social media. As reported by Ringside News, she stated that she would only return to WWE when they induct her into the Hall of Fame. Her stance highlights the stark contrast between the two promotions right now. While AEW relies on established stars like Moné to anchor their big stadium shows, WWE is forced to constantly rotate its roster and elevate new challengers like Jey Uso to keep their television product fresh.

“when they induct me into the HOF”

This contrast is visible in the booking. WWE is running through matches like Rhodes vs. Uso on free television to generate immediate ratings, whereas AEW is playing a longer game with Moné's championship path. Whether WWE's high-velocity booking strategy pays off will depend entirely on the quality of Friday's main event.

Predicting the Finish: Who Faces Sami Zayn?

This match will be a physical, fast-paced encounter that pushes both men to their limits. Expect Jey Uso to start fast, utilizing his speed to catch Cody with an early suicide dive. Jey will likely dominate the middle portion of the match, hitting a series of superkicks to keep Cody grounded. However, Cody's resilience is his greatest asset, and he will weather the storm.

The turning point will come when Jey goes for the Uso Splash. Cody will get his knees up, neutralizing Jey's primary weapon. From there, Cody will hit a disaster kick, followed by a Cody Cutter from the second rope. Cody will then lock in the Figure Four leglock to wear down Jey's legs, preventing him from hitting another spear.

In the final sequence, Jey will fight out of a Cross Rhodes attempt and land a desperation superkick. But as he goes for a spear, Cody will counter with a snap powerslam. Cody will hit two consecutive Cross Rhodes to seal the victory at the 18-minute mark. Cody Rhodes walks away as the number one contender, setting up a blockbuster championship match against Sami Zayn.