WWE may have quietly planted the seeds for a major championship rivalry during the taped June 26 episode of SmackDown.
With Night of Champions just around the corner, an unexpected face emerged to stand across from Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes in a moment that immediately caught fans’ attention.
The upcoming episode was taped on June 23 at The O2 Arena in London, England, ahead of WWE’s trip to Saudi Arabia for Saturday’s premium live event.
While much of the focus remains on Rhodes’ title defense at Night of Champions, the show’s closing moments hinted at what could come next for The American Nightmare.
Oba Femi and Cody Rhodes share tense SmackDown staredown
Rhodes is set to defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Gunther and Sami Zayn in a Triple Threat Match at Night of Champions. The event will also feature the King of the Ring final between Jey Uso and Oba Femi, with the winner earning a championship opportunity at SummerSlam 2026.
That connection became impossible to ignore during SmackDown’s final segment.
The closing in-ring confrontation featured Rhodes, Zayn and Gunther ahead of their title clash. Jey Uso then interrupted the segment to send a message before his King of the Ring final. However, the situation escalated when Oba Femi arrived and joined the confrontation.
According to spoilers from the taping, Femi watched from the apron and shared staredowns with several top stars. The most notable exchange came when he locked eyes with Rhodes, creating a moment that felt like more than a passing glance. For fans who enjoy reading between the ropes, WWE may have offered a glimpse of a future championship program.
The timing is particularly interesting given the stakes at Night of Champions. If Femi defeats Jey Uso in the tournament final, he will secure a title shot at SummerSlam. Rhodes, meanwhile, must first survive challenges from both Gunther and Zayn.
For now, the staredown remains just a tease. But with Night of Champions set to reshape WWE’s title picture, the possibility of Cody Rhodes and Oba Femi crossing paths appears firmly on the radar.
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