Controversial finish protects title at Clash in Italy
Summary
– Cody Rhodes defeated GUNTHER to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship at Clash in Italy
– GUNTHER protested the finish because his foot appeared to be under the bottom rope
– Rhodes survived a powerbomb, sleeper hold, and several major momentum swings before winning
Cody Rhodes opened WWE Clash in Italy with a major title defense against GUNTHER.
The Undisputed WWE Championship match took place at Inalpi Arena in Turin, Italy. The crowd gave the bout a major match feel from the entrances, and the introductions added even more weight to the moment.
The path to the match started when GUNTHER helped Paul Heyman on Raw and later reminded him that a favor was owed. That favor eventually became a title shot against Rhodes at Clash in Italy.
GUNTHER made the match official after defeating Royce Keys with the opportunity on the line. That sent The Ring General into Italy with a chance to take Cody’s title and shake up WWE’s main event scene.
The match was physical from the start. GUNTHER controlled long stretches and forced Rhodes to fight from underneath.
Rhodes survived a powerbomb that looked close to ending the match. He later rallied with Crossroads, but GUNTHER kicked out and kept the fight going.
GUNTHER then trapped Rhodes in a sleeper hold. Cody struggled for air and looked close to fading before finally reaching the ropes with his foot.
That escape gave Rhodes a way back into the match. He hit a Cody Cutter and followed with more offense before landing another Crossroads.
Rhodes scored the pinfall and retained the Undisputed WWE Championship, but the finish was not clean in GUNTHER’s eyes. GUNTHER protested after the match because his foot appeared to be under the bottom rope during the count.
The result gives Cody another huge title defense, but it also leaves GUNTHER with a clear argument for a rematch. Rhodes left Italy still champion, while The Ring General left with controversy hanging over the loss.
