SouthernWorldwide.com – On “Friday Night SmackDown,” Gunther faced a significant decision regarding his future with the blue brand.
After his initial attempt to sign a contract with SmackDown didn’t go as planned, a favor from Paul Heyman seemed to pave the way. Heyman secured a match for Gunther at Clash in Italy, where he will challenge Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
Heyman then placed the responsibility on Rhodes, the prominent figure of SmackDown, to ensure Gunther signed the necessary paperwork. Rhodes took the initiative, setting up tables and chairs in the ring in anticipation of Gunther’s arrival.
Gunther expressed his displeasure, claiming Rhodes had interfered with his “strategic planning” for joining SmackDown. He accused Rhodes of making his debut on the show about himself.
“Just like a typical American. I shouldn’t be surprised. I see it on your neck every week,” the 6-foot-4 Austrian stated, referencing Rhodes’ neck tattoo. “When the attention is not on you, you cry, you complain and you find a way to make it all about yourself. But not like me. This is my deal. This is my title match. This will be my title. So, golden boy, all I want you to do is be professional, address me nicely and don’t forget to say please. It’s very simple.”
Rhodes countered by reminding Gunther that he had “gotten the drop” on him and had enlisted Heyman’s assistance. He acknowledged his own U.S. flag tattoo but asserted that Gunther was the one creating an awkward situation.
“So, here’s the thing, I’m going to make it simple. This is the contract right here. It’s in this ring. That’s where you need to be and you need to sign it. You want me to say please? Sure, please come to this ring, sign this contract so that you’re guaranteed to get your a– kicked at Clash in Italy,” Rhodes retorted.
The segment was interrupted by Royce Keys, who declared that if Gunther refused to sign, he would. Keys marched towards the ring and was on the verge of signing the contract when Gunther snatched the pen away.
SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis intervened, stating that Gunther had “overplayed” his hand and was no longer guaranteed a title shot. Aldis then scheduled a match between Gunther and Keys for later that evening.
Keys entered the match with Solo Sikoa attempting to persuade him to join forces with Sikoa, Tama Tonga, and Talla Tonga. With Sikoa’s influence potentially playing on his mind, and later appearing at ringside in his corner, Keys entered the SmackDown main event with aspirations of climbing the championship ladder.
Gunther presented a formidable challenge, but Keys proved resilient and unable to secure a pinfall. Keys demonstrated why he is considered a significant threat, though he ultimately could not defeat Gunther.
As the referee was momentarily incapacitated, Sikoa slid a chair into the ring, attempting to tempt Keys into using it. Keys, however, threw the chair back at Sikoa. This brief distraction was all Gunther needed. As the referee recovered, Gunther executed a powerbomb on Keys, securing the victory and the pin.
Following the match, Cody Rhodes launched a surprise attack on Gunther from behind as the wrestler, dubbed the “Career Killer,” was celebrating his win.
Earlier in the night, Carmelo Hayes and Ricky Starks, representing the future of SmackDown, were in action, each aiming to position themselves as contenders for the United States Championship.
Hayes, a former U.S. Champion himself, was making his return to the ring after his loss to Sami Zayn in a rematch for the title on April 3. He showed no signs of ring rust, immediately taking the offensive against Starks.
However, Starks, a seasoned former NXT and North American Champion, managed to slow the pace of the match and gain the upper hand. He showcased his confidence throughout the bout, landing dropkicks, suplexes, and chops to wear down Hayes.
Hayes successfully evaded a superplex attempt and turned the tables on Starks, delivering a frog splash. The move, however, only resulted in a two-count. Both competitors appeared stunned and exhausted, eager for the win. Starks even executed a high-angled driver, but again, the referee’s count stopped at two.
Starks demonstrated incredible resilience, kicking out of Hayes’ signature move, the First 48. He then hit a Revolution DDT on Hayes, but the pinfall was again denied at the two-count.
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As Starks argued with the referee, Charles Robinson, Hayes seized the opportunity, rolling up Starks and using the ropes for leverage to secure the pin. Referee Robinson, seemingly unaware of the illegal assistance, counted the pinfall, awarding Hayes the victory.
