Gunther calls out Cody Rhodes for inserting himself into contract talks
Gunther confronted Cody Rhodes on Friday Night SmackDown after Paul Heyman arranged a title match between the two men at Clash in Italy. Rhodes entered the ring, set up the table and chairs, and waited for Gunther to appear. The Austrian wrestler accused Rhodes of turning the segment into a personal spotlight rather than focusing on the contract signing.
SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis told Gunther that his refusal to sign immediately had cost him the guaranteed shot. Aldis then booked Gunther against Royce Keys for later in the show, with the winner to receive the next opportunity at Rhodes’ Undisputed WWE Championship.
Keys, still accompanied by Solo Sikoa, lost after Gunther powerbombed him following a distraction involving a steel chair. Rhodes then attacked Gunther from behind as the Austrian celebrated the victory, leaving their title match at Clash in Italy still scheduled.
Earlier in the evening, Carmelo Hayes defeated Ricky Saints in a United States Championship contender match after using the ropes for leverage on a roll-up that the referee did not see. Both wrestlers had traded near-falls throughout the bout.
