WWE's original plans for SummerSlam reportedly featured several matches, including a WWE Championship bout between Cody Rhodes and CM Punk, and a World Heavyweight Championship match pitting Roman Reigns against Seth Rollins. These plans were in place before Rhea Ripley sustained an injury during a European tour.

The intended SummerSlam card also included Oba Femi in a Hell in a Cell match against Brock Lesnar. On the women's side, the original vision was for Charlotte Flair to face Jade Cargill, WWE Women's Champion Rhea Ripley to compete against either Jacy Jayne or Alexa Bliss, and Liv Morgan to challenge IYO SKY for the Women's World Championship. This booking suggests that plans for the Queen of the Ring tournament's conclusion were not affected by Ripley's injury.

Other matches reportedly slated for the original SummerSlam lineup were GUNTHER versus Royce Keys and Fatal Influence challenging Paige and Brie Bella for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship. United States Champion Trick Williams was also slated to face Carmelo Hayes.

While many of these matches appear to still be on track, notable changes have occurred. GUNTHER is now reportedly set to face Nick Aldis. The women's tag team title match has been officially announced for Saturday Night's Main Event on July 18. The status of Rhea Ripley for SummerSlam remains uncertain due to her injury.

Notably, current WWE Champion Sami Zayn was not listed on this original SummerSlam card in a prominent position. If Cody Rhodes wins back the WWE Championship on the July 6 edition of Raw in Chicago, ending Zayn's reign, it may indicate that Zayn's championship win in Saudi Arabia was intended as a brief, feel-good moment.

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