SmackDown confrontation raises the stakes for Clash in Italy
Summary
– Gunther vowed to choke out Cody Rhodes and take the Undisputed WWE Championship at Clash in Italy
– Cody Rhodes fired back by calling Gunther a liar and questioning his claim that he does not crave the spotlight
– The heated SmackDown segment ended with both men ready for their title match on Sunday
Gunther and Cody Rhodes brought sharp words and heavy tension to SmackDown before their Undisputed WWE Championship match at Clash in Italy.
Cody entered Barcelona with the crowd firmly behind him, but the mood changed when Gunther arrived. The challenger wasted little time aiming for the champion’s background, calling him a product of ego, privilege, and family connections.
Gunther said Cody represents a broken version of the American Dream. He claimed his own path came through discipline, sacrifice, and hard work, while Cody had doors opened for him through one phone call after another.
Cody answered by calling Gunther a liar. He said Gunther may act like he does not care about fame, attention, posters, media, or the spotlight, but the truth is different. Cody argued that anyone chasing the WWE Championship wants everything that comes with it.
The champion also said Gunther is just as addicted to that attention as he is. Cody praised Gunther’s growth as a dangerous athlete, then delivered the harder message. He told Gunther that at Clash in Italy, he will find out he is not as good as he thinks he is.
Gunther closed the exchange by pointing to past promises. He said he promised to choke out Bill Goldberg, AJ Styles, and John Cena, and he followed through each time. He then promised Cody the same fate on Sunday.
The segment ended with the match locked in and the talking finished. Cody Rhodes will defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Gunther at Clash in Italy.
