Cody Rhodes Slapped On WWE SmackDown, But Not By Gunther
Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes has been fighting a battle on multiple fronts ever since emerging victorious at WrestleMania 42. He defeated Randy Orton at the Show of Shows to retain his title.
With Orton away from television due to a lingering back issue, the Undisputed WWE Championship was wide open, and Cody has multiple wrestlers willing to challenge him for it.
He defended his belt at Clash in Italy last month against the Ring General, Gunther, and the two aren’t yet done with each other as they’re set to fight it out once again for the championship at next week’s SmackDown.
Meanwhile, Cody has been confronted by his former friend Sami Zayn, and the two have been butting heads for the last several weeks now. Sami called out Rhodes to the ring tonight and they had another heated confrontation.
Sami Zayn and Cody Rhodes involved in heated confrontation on WWE SmackDown
They spoke about sharing the ring following Cody’s iconic victory over Roman Reigns at WrestleMania XL, and Sami reminded him that he was the first person to come out to the ring and congratulate the American Nightmare.
The conversation soured from there as Zayn asked Rhodes to tell him how he actually feels about it. In a fit of rage, Cody Rhodes responded brutally to Zayn, telling him that he isn’t the person he thinks he is and the fans hate him for what he has become.
You want him to be honest?! 😳@CodyRhodes just went OFF on @SamiZayn!! 😱 😱 pic.twitter.com/1wb4EPJAd6
— WWE (@WWE) June 13, 2026
He said that Sami has become desperate to become a World Champion following which Zayn slapped Cody as he was still talking. He immediately regeretted his decision and apologized to Cody.
Zayn repeatedly apologized to his ‘friend’ and even tried to hug him, but Cody responded with a slap of his own. This enraged the former US Champion and he picked up a steel chair from the outside and looked to attack Cody, but their segment ended in a stand off.
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