Gunther Ignites Title Feud With Brutal Assault On Cody Rhodes During SmackDown Debut

Posted : 02 May 2026

The post-WrestleMania landscape of Friday Night SmackDown has been shifted by a violent statement from Gunther. During the latest broadcast in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Cody Rhodes successfully defeated Ricky Saints in a non-title match. This bout marked the official main roster debut for Saints; however, he was unable to overcome the reigning Undisputed WWE Champion. The American Nightmare secured the win before the atmosphere turned dark in the arena.

Gunther appeared unexpectedly and launched a clinical assault on the champion. He utilized the Gojira Clutch to render Rhodes unconscious in the center of the ring. This attack serves as a clear declaration of intent regarding the Undisputed WWE Championship. Gunther enters this new rivalry with immense momentum after a series of high-profile victories. He recently ended the careers of Goldberg, John Cena, and AJ Styles over a dominant eight-month period.

The Ring General is fresh off a significant win against Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 42. He achieved that victory with minor assistance from Bron Breakker; however, his dominance remains unquestioned. WWE fans have expressed polarizing views on social media regarding this potential championship clash. Some supporters believe Gunther will restore prestige to the title; others remain skeptical of his aggressive tactics. A section of the fanbase remains frustrated that other contenders like Randy Orton appear to have been bypassed.

Management has yet to confirm the official date for this championship encounter. Many analysts expect the match to be added to the Backlash card on May 9. Another alternative is the upcoming Clash in Italy event scheduled for May 31. This development effectively sidelines recent rumors of a "dream match" between Rhodes and CM Punk. Rhodes recently commented to ESPN that a match with Punk is difficult to coordinate in the current landscape.

The history between Rhodes and Gunther is limited; however, the physical stakes are now at an all-time high. Rhodes has not faced a challenger with this level of ruthless efficiency during his current title reign. The champion is now forced to recover quickly from the sleeper hold attack to defend his crown. SmackDown has found its next major narrative as the dominant force from Raw invades the blue brand.

Gunther Ignites Title Feud With Brutal Assault On Cody Rhodes During SmackDown Debut

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