Gunther Names Sami Zayn Referee for Cody Rhodes Rematch as Jey Uso Reaches Final 4

Q: As TKO shakes up the roster, which rising star is poised to become WWE's next main event breakout?

Royce Keys looks best positioned to become WWE’s next main-event breakout as TKO reshapes the roster. The clearest evidence is how SmackDown is presenting him. On the June 12 episode, Keys again stood out and appears to be moving directly into a feud with Solo Sikoa and The MFTs, a meaningful slot tied to one of the brand’s most visible storylines. That matters more than a one-off showcase: it signals WWE sees him as a weekly television player with upward mobility. His broader 2026 trajectory strengthens that case. Since arriving after his Royal Rumble debut, Keys has been given markers WWE traditionally uses to elevate new stars, including a strong first SmackDown win and the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal victory before WrestleMania 42. He has also been framed with a clear, main-roster-ready identity built around power, intimidation and dominance, and he has openly targeted either the WWE Championship or the U.S. title. The timing also favors him. With fan reaction mixed on Jey Uso’s singles push, and with the Cody Rhodes-Gunther-Sami Zayn title story centered on established names, Keys has room to emerge as the fresh heavyweight presence on SmackDown. Other names such as Bron Breakker, Ricky Saints and Blake Monroe also appear in line for major pushes, but Breakker is already closer to established than breakout, while Saints and Monroe are still at an earlier stage of rollout. Based on current booking, visibility and momentum, Keys is the standout candidate.

Q: With their friendship shattered, will referee Sami Zayn hand the WWE Championship from Cody Rhodes to Gunther?

Yes—WWE is clearly setting up a strong possibility that Sami Zayn could cost Cody Rhodes the championship and swing the match to Gunther. That possibility is rooted in what SmackDown showed. Gunther specifically demanded Zayn as special guest referee after watching Rhodes and Zayn’s friendship break down in public. Their confrontation escalated from verbal shots to mutual slaps, and Rhodes’ remark that Zayn would never be WWE Champion appeared to hit the deepest nerve. Zayn nearly went further with a chair before stopping himself, which underlined how emotional and unstable the situation has become. Gunther’s choice was not random. On-screen, he framed Zayn as a rules expert and a “good guy,” but the real strategy was obvious: exploit Zayn’s anger toward Rhodes and place the title match in the hands of a man whose judgment is now in doubt. Even Rhodes immediately recognized the danger and raised concerns. That does not guarantee Zayn will intentionally hand Gunther the belt. WWE also left room for a different outcome: Zayn may try to prove he is fair, only for the tension to create controversy anyway. Given the prior disputed finish in Rhodes-Gunther, another screwy ending is very plausible. Still, based on the current storyline, the most likely reading is that WWE wants viewers to believe Zayn could be the deciding factor—and that Gunther has a very real path to winning the championship because of him.

3 articles · Updated · Bleacher Report · Jun 13

Sami Zayn’s feud with Cody Rhodes deepened on SmackDown when a demand for an apology over last week’s accidental dive turned into a slap exchange and Zayn storming out.
Gunther then raised the stakes for next week’s Undisputed WWE Championship rematch by hand-picking Zayn as special referee, creating a direct opening for chaos around Rhodes’ title defense.
Jey Uso also moved closer to a championship shot, winning a 4-man King of the Ring main event over LA Knight, Finn Balor and Royce Keys to book a semifinal against Je'Von Evans.
Charlotte Flair joined him in the tournament semifinals with a 4-way Queen of the Ring win, while SmackDown focused heavily on building the June 28 Night of Champions card.

Sources

Bleacher Report12h ago

WWE SmackDown: Jey Uso Advances, Gunther Reveals Stipulation, Rhodes-Zayn Conflict Escalates

WWE12h ago

Gunther chooses Sami Zayn to officiate rematch with Cody Rhodes: SmackDown highlights, June 12, 2026 | WWE

Sportskeeda12h ago

3 Reasons why 41-year-old WWE star is the special guest referee for Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther on SmackDown next week

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As TKO shakes up the roster, which rising star is poised to become WWE's next main event breakout?

With their friendship shattered, will referee Sami Zayn hand the WWE Championship from Cody Rhodes to Gunther?

Despite online backlash, is WWE's persistent push for Jey Uso a creative masterstroke or a major miscalculation?

Gunther Names Sami Zayn Referee for Cody Rhodes Rematch as Jey Uso Reaches Final 4

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