Cody Rhodes and Gunther Prepare for Clash in Italy

The tension between Cody Rhodes and Gunther intensified on ‘Friday Night SmackDown,’ setting the stage for their upcoming title match at Clash in Italy. Cody Rhodes will defend his Undisputed WWE Championship against Gunther, who earned the match due to a favor from Paul Heyman. Gunther, who had attacked Rhodes from behind in recent weeks, addressed him directly in the ring, labeling Rhodes as self-centered and entitled.

Gunther’s remarks targeted Rhodes’ wrestling journey, implying that Rhodes’ success came too easily. In response, Rhodes accused Gunther of lying about wanting the championship spotlight. He insisted that Gunther truly desires the fame that comes with being WWE champion, otherwise, he wouldn’t be the competitor he is today.

Their verbal exchange set the tone for their highly anticipated showdown, with Gunther vowing to add Rhodes to his list of legendary conquests.

Sami Zayn’s Confrontation with Cody Rhodes

Sami Zayn and Cody Rhodes faced tension after Zayn left Rhodes to be attacked by Gunther. Rhodes confronted Zayn backstage, questioning his actions. Zayn defended his decision, explaining that he wanted to teach Rhodes a lesson by not intervening when Gunther attacked him. The confrontation hinted at potential future hostilities between the two friends.

Jade Cargill and Rhea Ripley Exchange Words

Jade Cargill and Rhea Ripley sparked tension ahead of their WWE Women’s Championship match at Clash in Italy. The confrontation saw Cargill proclaiming her dominance and Ripley reminding her of past defeats. Ripley highlighted their WrestleMania encounter, asserting that she would defeat Cargill once again.

As their verbal showdown escalated, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss joined Ripley to confront Cargill, resulting in a match between Cargill and Bliss. Cargill emerged victorious, solidifying her assertive stance.

Trick Williams vs. Carmelo Hayes Heats Up

Trick Williams, riding high on his recent success, set his sights on the King of the Ring Tournament. However, Carmelo Hayes, a familiar face from Williams’ past, remained a formidable presence. Their rivalry reached new heights as Williams and Hayes engaged in a heated exchange, leading to tensions with Ricky Saints.

Williams promised that either Hayes or Saints, whoever emerged victorious, would become his next challenger. The segment concluded without a clear winner, intensifying the anticipation for their future encounters.

Match Results From SmackDown in Barcelona

• Jade Cargill defeated Alexa Bliss
• Axiom defeated The Miz
• Talla Tonga and Tama Tonga defeated Damian Priest and Royce Keys
• Sami Zayn defeated Matt Cardona
• Carmelo Hayes and Ricky Saints reached a double count-out draw
• Chelsea Green defeated Nia Jax