Here are my WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event predictions for the July 18 show at Madison Square Garden, featuring CM Punk and Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther and Sami Zayn, a Roman Reigns and Jalen Brunson segment, and more.
Let’s jump in.
Fatal Influence (Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid) vs. (c) Paige and Brie Bella – Women’s Tag Team Titles
This should be an easy choice for WWE.
I have nothing against Paige and Brie Bella, but their title run hasn’t been much. That’s not their fault. We know the original idea was for Brie to team with Nikki Bella at WrestleMania 42, and that was supposed to be the shining moment for The Bellas’ return.
However, Nikki got injured, Paige returned to sub in, and there’s been zero storyline advancement of note since April. Meanwhile, Fatal Influence has lost some momentum since their hot debut, perhaps due to Rhea Ripley’s injury, which likely kept Jacy Jayne from pursuing the top title.
Henley and Reid are a great duo, and they need to win the titles here.
Prediction: Fatal Influence (NEW Women’s Tag Team Champions)
Danhausen vs. JD McDonagh – No DQ Match
Madison Square Garden. New York Knicks. 2026 NBA champions.
Yeah, this might be the most predictable winner in the history of Saturday Night’s Main Event.
There is no way that Danhausen, who successfully uncursed the Knicks to basically hand them their first title since 1973, is going to lose this match. And not to JD McDonagh! Just kidding, JD. You do a great job.
The biggest question entering this match is which shenanigans Danhausen uses to score the win, and whether that includes The Miz, Kit Wilson, Matt Cardona, and the super-secret experiment he’s been cooking up.
Prediction: Danhausen
Bayley vs. Lyra Valkyria
I wrote in this week’s WWE Raw review that this match is a solid addition to the Saturday Night’s Main Event card.
I also wrote that the statement was true…unless you’re a Bayley fan.
WWE isn’t going to overhaul someone’s look and have them become unhinged, only to lose in their first match with that new persona. I don’t love that for Bayley, who may or may not be in AEW at this time next year.
She still has a lot to give in WWE, but Valkyria is going to earn the victory to further her character shift, which is the biggest priority for the company.
Prediction: Lyra Valkyria
CM Punk and Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther and Sami Zayn
On the one hand, Gunther and Sami Zayn winning this match would set up a few compelling singles match possibilities in the future.
On the other hand, it’s an MSG main event tag match featuring two of the biggest babyfaces in WWE, who just so happen to be facing off in one of the top matches at SummerSlam. I don’t know if you can beat Punk and Cody because of that.
There is still suspense to be had. After his “mental health break,” what is Zayn going to do in his first appearance since losing the title to Punk in Chicago? And what about the Nick Aldis factor? Could the SmackDown general manager cost Gunther to potentially set up their one-on-one clash?
Zayn is the most fascinating of the bunch, as he doesn’t have a clear opponent for SummerSlam. Gunther would be a logical choice if they weren’t pushing the Aldis match. No one else has been in the mix in Zayn’s current story, except for a wild card option like Johnny Gargano or something.
This should present a better idea of what WWE has in mind for Zayn moving forward.
Prediction: CM Punk and Cody Rhodes
What are your WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event predictions? Who should win the huge tag team main event? Let me know your thoughts. Thanks for reading!