Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther Set For Undisputed WWE Title Match At Clash In Italy
Last week, Gunther arrived on WWE SmackDown.
Paul Heyman had arranged an Undisputed WWE Title match for Gunther against Cody Rhodes at Clash in Italy. Gunther didn’t sign the contract that night.
On the 5/15 WWE SmackDown, Cody Rhodes appeared with the contract in hand. He asked Gunther to sign it, but the latter wanted Rhodes to say please. The American Nightmare did that, but Gunther wasn’t satisfied yet. He wanted Cody to try again, this time with a little more respect.
Royce Keys saw an opportunity here, and he appeared. Keys said if Gunther wasn’t signing the contract, he would.
As Keys tried to put his signature on the contract, Gunther entered the ring and snatched the pen out of his hand. Shortly after, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis appeared and said Gunther has lost his chance, and now Cody’s opponent for Clash in Italy will be decided with a match between Gunther and Keys later that night.
GUNTHER is headed to ITALY. 👊
No thanks to Solo Sikoa, @Gunther_AUT takes down @RealRoyceKeys to become the NEW No. 1 Contender! pic.twitter.com/v8dThFyeaP
— WWE (@WWE) May 16, 2026
During the main event, Solo Sikoa showed up to help Keys. He threw a steel chair in Keys’ way, who threw it back at him. This distraction allowed Gunther to go for a clothesline followed by a powerbomb to end the match.
Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther is now set for the Undisputed WWE Title at Clash in Italy.
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