Sami Zayn Lets Gunther Choke Out Cody Rhodes on SmackDown Before Italy Title Clash
Updated
Updated · Cageside Seats · May 23
Sami Zayn Lets Gunther Choke Out Cody Rhodes on SmackDown Before Italy Title Clash
10 articles · Updated · Cageside Seats · May 23
Gunther closed SmackDown by locking Cody Rhodes in a sleeper hold after Rhodes beat Sami Zayn in the main event, with Zayn stepping back and watching instead of intervening.
Rhodes had dismissed Zayn earlier, then pushed for a match after overhearing him complain backstage, a slight that fed Zayn’s shift away from trying to play peacemaker.
The attack deepened the tension around Rhodes’ WWE title program with Gunther, even as the two still did not finalize their long-delayed contract for Clash in Italy.
Elsewhere, SmackDown also set Rhea Ripley vs. Jade Cargill for Clash in Italy, while the show continued building several side feuds ahead of Saturday Night’s Main Event.
With GUNTHER looming and Zayn's loyalty broken, has Cody Rhodes' reign entered its most dangerous phase?
Is Sami Zayn a justified victim of a selfish champion, or is his jealousy finally taking over?
Is WWE's portrayal of Sami Zayn a creative blunder or the start of a legendary heel turn?