Gunther confronts Rhodes over contract delay on SmackDown
On the May 15, 2026, edition of Friday Night SmackDown, Gunther accused Cody Rhodes of turning the contract-signing process for their title match into a personal spectacle. Rhodes, positioned by general manager Nick Aldis to finalize the agreement, prepared the ring himself before Gunther appeared. The exchange centered on whether Rhodes had interfered with Gunther’s planned entry to the blue brand.
Paul Heyman had arranged the title opportunity after Gunther declined a standard SmackDown contract. Rhodes reminded Gunther that the match at Clash in Italy was secured through that arrangement. Gunther replied that Rhodes had made the situation about himself, citing Rhodes’ American flag neck tattoo and stating that the attention should remain on the match and the championship.
Royce Keys interrupted the segment and offered to sign the contract if Gunther refused. General manager Nick Aldis then removed Gunther’s guaranteed title shot and scheduled a match between Gunther and Keys for later in the evening. Solo Sikoa accompanied Keys to ringside and attempted to influence the outcome.
Keys threw aside a chair Sikoa provided during a referee distraction. Gunther capitalized with a powerbomb for the pinfall victory. Rhodes then attacked Gunther from behind as Gunther celebrated. The result left the title match at Clash in Italy in doubt pending further decisions by Aldis.
