WWE SmackDown live results: Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther title rematch
WWE Champion Cody Rhodes defends against Gunther in the main event of tonight’s WWE SmackDown with Sami Zayn as special referee.
The bout is a rematch from Clash in Italy with Zayn being added at Gunther’s request as part of a stipulation he chose. The match will also be presented ad-free on USA.
Oba Femi’s opponent for next weekend’s King of the Ring finals will be decided as former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Jey Uso faces Je’Von Evans for the first time ever.
IYO SKY’s opponent for the Queen of the Ring finals will also be decided as WWE Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan takes on former multi-time champion Charlotte Flair in their first televised match since April 2020.
The WWE Tag Team titles will be defended as Damian Priest & R-Truth defend against Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga.
In a number one contender’s match for Trick Williams’ United States title, Ricky Starks goes one-on-one with Carmelo Hayes.
Our live coverage kicks off at 8 p.m. Eastern.
**********
– From Kansas City, MO, it’s the 1400th episode of SmackDown. We got the arrivals from the King and Queen of the Ring competitors, as well as the players in the Undisputed WWE Championship match tonight. From there, we were welcomed by Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett, who informed us that the Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther match would kick off tonight and it would be commercial free.
Undisputed WWE Championship Match (Guest Referee: Sami Zayn): Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Gunther
The Gunther-appointee guest referee, Sami Zayn, was first out for this match. Challenger and champion soon followed.
Following the official ring introductions, this match finally got underway. A technical start between Rhodes and Gunther as the challenger chopped down the champion. In the corner, Rhodes had a wrist lock applied on Gunther until Zayn got him to break it up as the crowd booed. Gunther took over with another chop to the chest and a big boot, but Rhodes fought back. As “QB1” drilled Gunther with strikes in the corner, Zayn forced Rhodes out of the corne, which gave Gunther the opening to flatten his foe with a big boot. Gunther continued to punish Rhodes with a seated chinlock as Zayn did the five count tjat he failed to administer on Rhodes. Suddenly, Rhodes struck with a Cody Cutter on Gunther, followed by the powerslam. Gunther responded with a big boot, followed by the figure-four in the middle of the ring. Rhodes struggled as Gunther used the ropes for leverage. Zayn took his sweet time to get Gunther to break the hold. Gunther argued with Zayn, as Rhodes nearly rolled him up for the cover.
Rhodes countered the powerbomb of Gunther into Cross Rhodes. The cover, but Zayn stopped it as he spotted Gunther’s foot on the ropes. Rhodes and Zayn argued as it led to Rhodes being pushed into the sleeper hold of Gunther. Rhodes tried to fight out of it and reached the ropes. Zayn forcibly pulled Gunther off of Rhodes, which led to a shove from the Austrian. Slap to the face by Zayn, as Gunther then blasted him with the Powerbomb. Rhodes recovered and hit Gunther with the Super Cody Cutter. Cross Rhodes, as a new referee ran in. One, two…. 2.9999999999!!!!!! Rhodes to the top rope, but Gunther intercepted him. A leap, and the dropkick by Gunther. Powerbomb made no mistake. The cover, but the referee gets pulled out by Zayn! Gunther held on to the ropes, as Zayn kicked it away. Roll-up by Rhodes and the WWE 2K quick count on Gunther and this one’s done with more questions than answers.
Cody Rhodes def. Gunther via pinfall to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship
Your standard guest referee bout, but Zayn’s anger at Gunther powerbombing him playing into the finish worked for me, at least.
***********
– After the break, emotions were still high as Gunther argued with Sami Zayn and Nick Aldis. Cody Rhodes demanded the match to be restarted as the match was indeed rebooted.
With the match begun ranew, Gunther had Rhodes in the sleeper, but had it broken. Zayn ran in and attacked Gunther to cause a Disqualification. Zayn snapped and hit the official, as well as Rhodes with the Undisputed WWE Title. The “Sami Sucks!” chants rained down as Zayn left and ripped up a fan’s sign on the way out.
I imagine that this will be what sets up the triple threat match for Night of Champions next week.
WWE SmackDown recapper. Former NXT PLE/WWE Saturday Night's Main Event/fill-in recapper.