Gunther Sends An Interesting 5-Word Message Just Hours Before WWE SmackDown
Gunther is focused on becoming WWE Champion on SmackDown after previously losing in a controversial manner.
At WWE Clash in Italy, the Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes defended his title against former 2-time World Heavyweight Champion Gunther in the opening match.
It was a match featuring a lot of big moves from each wrestler, with several nearfalls and near-submissions throughout the match.
After about 11 minutes of action, Rhodes hit a Cody Cutter, a clothesline, and then a Cross Rhodes. After hitting Cross Rhodes, Rhodes pinned Gunther, and the referee counted to three even though the tall Austrian’s foot was under the bottom rope, which should have led to a rope break. Since the referee never saw it, the decision was final.
In the weeks that followed, Gunther complained about what happened, and SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis agreed that he deserved a rematch. Cody Rhodes said that’s fine and that the match would be on the June 19th SmackDown in Kansas City. Aldis would inform Rhodes that Gunther gets to pick a stipulation.
On the June 12th edition of WWE SmackDown, Gunther informed Aldis, Rhodes, and the wrestling world that his stipulation is that Sami Zayn will be the guest referee.
The reason why Gunther picked Zayn, who beat the Austrian for the Intercontinental Title in the past, is that Zayn is friends with Rhodes, but they have been having major issues, and their friendship is falling apart. By picking Zayn, Gunther is hoping that Zayn will try to screw Rhodes out of the WWE Title.
In a post on Instagram, Gunther posted a clip of what happened at Clash in Italy, and then made the statement that the WWE Title match is on his terms.
“This time on my terms.”
WWE SmackDown To Feature Two Title Matches Including Cody Rhodes-Gunther, Plus Huge King & Queen Of The Ring Tournament Matches
The June 19th edition of WWE SmackDown in Kansas City looks like a big one with two title matches, plus King and Queen of the Ring Tournament Semifinal Matches.
In addition to the Rhodes-Gunther match for the WWE Title with Sami Zayn as the referee, the WWE Tag Team Champions Damian Priest & R-Truth will defend their titles against MFTs’ Talla Tonga and Tama Tonga.
Plus, the Queen of the Ring Tournament Semifinal match will see Charlotte Flair face the Women’s World Champion, Liv Morgan. Whoever wins that will face Iyo Sky in the Queen of the Ring Finals at Night of Champions on June 27th.
There’s also the King of the Ring Tournament Semifinal match with Jey Uso facing Je’Von Evans. The winner of that match will face Oba Femi in the King of the Ring Finals at Night of Champions.
Here’s the advertised lineup for SmackDown in Kansas City.
- Cody Rhodes battles Gunther in a commercial-free Undisputed WWE Title Match with referee Sami Zayn
- Charlotte Flair takes on Liv Morgan in the Queen of the Ring Tournament Semifinals
- Jey Uso goes head-to-head against Je’Von Evans in the King of the Ring Tournament Semifinals
- Damian Priest & R-Truth tangle with MFTs’ Talla Tonga and Tama Tonga in a WWE Tag Team Title Match
- Carmelo Hayes goes to war with Ricky Saints in a U.S. Title No. 1 Contender’s Match
