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And New? WWE Championship Match Ends In Controversy On SmackDown

By Faiz Ahmed • Published Jun 19, 2026 20:30 EDT
WWE Title
Undisputed WWE Champinoship. (Source: WWE.com)

Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes successfully defended his title against Gunther at Clash in Italy last month. However, the result was shrouded in controversy as Gunther’s foot seemed to be under the rope.

The Ring General opened the SmackDown following Clash in Italy and demanded that he be given a rematch for the Undisputed WWE Championship. Cody Rhodes agreed to Gunther’s demand, and Nick Aldis confirmed the match for tonight.

Gunther put legal pressure on Aldis and managed to choose the stipulation for the match. Last week on SmackDown, Gunther chose Sami Zayn as the Special Guest Referee for the title match, given the increasing animosity between Zayn and Rhodes.

The Undisputed WWE Championship match kicked off the show tonight with The Ring General taking advantage in the early parts of the match. Cody fought back with a Cody Cutter, which fired him up and built some momentum, before Gunther took control again.

The former World Heavyweight Champion began targeting Rhodes’ left leg in an attempt to weaken him. Gunther took some time to recover, allowing Cody to surprise him with a Cross Rhodes.

The Champion went for the pin, but Sami spotted Gunther’s foot under the rope, causing a rope break. This call back to Clash in Italy caused tensions to flare up between the two, and Zayn pushed Rhodes into Gunther, who locked in the Sleeper Hold.

Sami Zayn seemingly turns heel on WWE SmackDown completely

Cody somehow made it to the ropes, but Gunther didn’t let go. This caused trouble between Gunther and Sami after he forced Gunther away from Rhodes, and the Ring General took him out with a powerbomb.

The Undisputed WWE Champion recovered as this happened, and he attacked Gunther with his trademark combo before hitting a top rope, Cody Cutter. He followed that up with a Cross Rhodes, but Gunther kicked out when the new referee came in.

Gunther then took Cody out with a Shotgun Dropkick and a vicious powerbomb, but Sami dragged the referee out of the ring. Cody then tried a Sunset Flip powerbomb, but Gunther held on to the rope.

Zayn then chose to react to Gunther’s attack and he kicked his hands off the rope, allowing Cody to trap him in a pin. Sami then does a fast count to ensure that Rhodes ended the match as still the Undisputed WWE Champion.

A furious Nick Aldis came down the ramp after the match and had some words for Zayn. Both Cody and Gunther were angered at the result, and the champion demanded the match be restarted.

As everyone agreed, the title match was restarted, and as the two men were fighting it out, Sami attacked Gunther with a Helluva Kick, ending the match in a disqualification. He then took Cody out with the Undisputed WWE Championship before walking away from the scene.

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