CM Punk’s surprise return and championship victory have dominated the news cycle, but Roman Reigns, Sami Zayn, and several mid-card contenders are competing for airtime as WWE heads into SummerSlam season with momentum across multiple divisions.
#1. CM Punk
The Undisputed WWE Champion’s return to Raw on July 6 from his Chicago hometown generated massive coverage—nearly 30 stories this week alone covering his title win over Sami Zayn, his physique transformation, weight fluctuations during vacation, responses to criticism, hotel fan incidents, and his appearance on Stephanie McMahon’s podcast. He’s not just the champ; he’s the story dominating every outlet, whether discussing his 9-day title reign criticism, AI-generated fake quotes, or advice to younger talent.
#2. Roman Reigns
The Tribal Chief and OTC secured significant mainstream crossover by inviting NBA champion Jalen Brunson to Saturday Night’s Main Event at Madison Square Garden, generating multiple stories and broadening WWE’s celebrity reach beyond typical wrestling coverage. He’s positioned as a major player heading into SummerSlam and remains one of the company’s top draw cards.
#3. Sami Zayn
The former Undisputed WWE Champion’s nine-day reign became a focal point of debate and discussion following his loss to CM Punk, generating substantial backstage chatter and questions about his push trajectory. Despite the short title reign, his feud with Punk kept him heavily in the news cycle.
#4. Brock Lesnar
The returning Beast Incarnate is set for a Hell in a Cell match against Oba Femi at SummerSlam and appeared on tonight’s Raw in Dallas, signaling WWE’s confidence in him as a major SummerSlam draw alongside his established history as a megastar.
#5. Logan Paul
The Vision member and celebrity crossover star generated multiple stories this week regarding his ahead-of-schedule triceps injury recovery and his interest in potentially buying WWE, keeping him in the conversation despite in-ring absence due to injury.
#6. Rhea Ripley
The WWE Women’s Champion attended Power Slap 21 and is actively generating content and interviews, appearing in multiple stories this week while maintaining her position as a credible top female star.
#7. PENTA
The WWE Intercontinental Champion defended his title at the Albuquerque house show and is set to face the winner of tonight’s gauntlet match at SummerSlam, positioning him as an active mid-card main event talent.
#8. Jade Cargill
SmackDown’s rising enforcer attacked Alexa Bliss and sent her to the hospital with an arm injury, establishing herself as a credible threat and a focal point of SmackDown’s women’s division heading into summer.
#9. Oba Femi
The Hell in a Cell challenger against Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam is being positioned as a major rising threat capable of hanging with WWE’s biggest names, though limited individual coverage keeps him lower on this list.
#10. Alexa Bliss
Little Miss Bliss’s arm injury from Jade Cargill and her subsequent hospitalization created a credible storyline threat heading into SummerSlam, though her absence limits overall coverage compared to active competitors.
Sheamus, recently departed WWE, generated speculation buzz about his next landing spot in AEW, making him a notable name just outside active WWE rankings.
