Cody Rhodes Brawls With Gunther on SmackDown After Being Issued WWE Title Challenge for Clash in Italy

On this week's SmackDown, Cody Rhodes was issued a challenge for the WWE title against Gunther at Clash in Italy.

Cody Rhodes Brawls With Gunther on SmackDown After Being Issued WWE Title Challenge for Clash in Italy

Gunther putting Cody Rhodes in the Gojira Clutch on SmackDown [via- WWE]

Gunther had made it pretty clear that he’s next in line for Cody Rhodes‘ Undisputed WWE title last week when he ambushed ‘The QB1’ and put him to sleep with the Gojira Clutch. On this week’s SmackDown, ‘The American Nightmare’ got interrupted in his promo by Paul Heyman, who was revealed to have negotiated a trade to SmackDown for ‘The Ring General’.

When Heyman came out to cut Rhodes off, the WWE Hall of Famer had a contract in his hands that called for a world title match between Rhodes and Gunther. The erstwhile EVP of AEW was willing to defend the gold on SmackDown in Jacksonville itself. ‘The Wiseman’ first cleared the air around his business relationship with Gunther, saying he’s not his advocate.

‘The Oracle’ just owed Gunther a favor, which the contract he was holding would suffice for. ‘Paul E’ then let Rhodes know that the proposed WWE title match was for the upcoming Clash in Italy PLE, should the champ accept. Having said that, Heyman wanted out of there, and he told Rhodes to get Gunther’s signature on the contract if he wanted that fight.

Before Heyman could leave, Rhodes wanted to know why the 60-year-old was doing it. Was it because he was running out of options since Brock Lesnar walked out on him and Roman Reigns was no longer interested in doing business with him, and also his former great friend CM Punk discarded him? ‘The Mad Genius’ responded by saying that he’s not the one looking for options and added that they all need the wiseman sooner or later.

With Heyman walking up that ramp to the back and Rhodes not taking his eyes off him, Gunther slid in the ring from behind to blindside Rhodes again. But the former Stardust was ready for it this time around as he landed some haymakers on the Austrian. The latter still managed to lock in the Gojira Clutch, but Cody Rhodes decked him with the microphone to get out of it.

‘The Prodigal Son’ sent the ex-Imperium leader through those ropes to set him free from the sleeper once again. ‘The Career Killer’ would keep climbing the ring apron and get knocked off it by Rhodes a couple of times, with the champ declaring that he’s not scared of Gunther despite the latter having retired Goldberg, AJ Styles, and John Cena. At last, Rhodes affirmed that he’s easy to find and hard to beat. Gunther had already retreated by then and was headed to the back.

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WWE changed plans to get Gunther in a major feud with Cody Rhodes

In all likelihood, Cody Rhodes will accept Gunther’s challenge for the WWE title match at Clash in Italy sooner rather than later. It would be Rhodes’ first title defense since keeping Randy Orton from becoming a 15-time world champion at WrestleMania last month. But was this the working plan from the get-go?

Cody Rhodes wrestled Gunther at Crown Jewel 2024
Cody Rhodes wrestled Gunther at Crown Jewel 2024 [via- WWE]

It doesn’t appear so, as Dave Meltzer has noted that there have been a lot of changes in top-level WWE feuds of late. ‘The Ring General’ was penciled in as one of the biggest threats to Roman Reigns‘ World Heavyweight title run, with them reportedly planned for a major feud this year.

It got changed to ‘The Career Killer’ now chasing Cody Rhodes and his Undisputed WWE title all of a sudden. It’s seemingly due to the fact that Randy Orton hasn’t been seen on TV since WrestleMania, and, therefore, his feud with Rhodes couldn’t be continued.

Although Orton did hit Rhodes with the punt kick to stand tall and make it clear he’s not done with ‘The QB1’, he’s allegedly having some back issues again. There’s no update on The Viper’s return, but WWE could be holding him back to make it happen closer to SummerSlam, which could be where Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes II may happen.

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