The championship landscape is heating up as WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray breaks down the logical progression for John Cena’s title reign. With multiple contenders circling the Undisputed WWE Championship, Ray’s analysis reveals some compelling storylines that could reshape the summer’s biggest events.
The Case for Cody Rhodes: Pin Equals Opportunity
According to traditional wrestling logic, one superstar stands above the rest in deserving a championship opportunity. Bully Ray made his position crystal clear during a recent “Busted Open” broadcast, emphasizing the importance of following established wrestling protocol.
“If you follow what’s going on in wrestling and the rules, Cody Rhodes deserves the next shot at John Cena because Cody Rhodes pinned John Cena at Money in the Bank,” Ray explained.
The victory at Money in the Bank created a natural storyline progression that many fans expected to see play out. However, wrestling rarely follows predictable paths, as Ray acknowledged when discussing how CM Punk’s involvement shifted the championship picture.
CM Punk Changes Everything at Night of Champions
The upcoming Night of Champions event in Saudi Arabia will feature Cena defending against CM Punk instead of Rhodes. This booking decision effectively bumped the former champion down the pecking order, despite his legitimate claim to a title shot.
Ray reflected on how different circumstances might have produced different results. He suggested that timing played a crucial role in determining Cena’s next challenger, with Punk’s presence altering the natural flow of championship contenders.
“Maybe if Cody came out [instead of Punk], Cody would’ve got the match. Now Cody is not the next in line, we get Punk, now we’ll see what happens after Night of Champions and what they will do at SummerSlam.”
SummerSlam Scenarios: Multiple Paths Forward
Looking ahead to SummerSlam, Ray outlined several compelling championship scenarios. The Hall of Famer expressed enthusiasm for a potential Cody Rhodes title match at the summer spectacular, viewing it as a logical progression from their Money in the Bank encounter.
However, Ray also floated an intriguing alternative involving the recently returned R-Truth. The veteran’s comeback has generated significant fan interest, and Ray sees potential in elevating Truth to main event status through the right booking decisions.
R-Truth’s Championship Dreams
The King of the Ring tournament presents an interesting wildcard in the championship picture. Ray specifically highlighted how R-Truth could earn his way into title contention through tournament success, which would align with the character’s desire for increased respect.
“I love the idea of what we talked about yesterday of Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena at SummerSlam, with Cody stepping to the side and giving it to Truth. But I also love the idea of Truth because Truth wanted to be taken more seriously, of Truth winning the King of the Ring and earning his spot in the main event at SummerSlam.”
King of the Ring Tournament Adds New Elements
The ongoing King of the Ring tournament has already begun shaping potential championship scenarios. Sami Zayn secured the first semi-final spot during this week’s Monday Night Raw, establishing himself as an early frontrunner for the crown.
With three more qualifying matches scheduled and one tournament spot reportedly still available, speculation continues about R-Truth’s potential inclusion. The tournament’s conclusion at Night of Champions will crown a winner who earns a world title opportunity, adding another layer to the championship picture.
Ray’s analysis highlights how multiple storylines could converge at SummerSlam, creating various paths for compelling championship matches. Whether Rhodes gets his deserved rematch, Truth earns tournament victory, or another contender emerges, the road to SummerSlam promises exciting developments. Which scenario do you think would create the most compelling main event for WWE’s biggest summer show?
