Gunther accuses Cody Rhodes of making his SmackDown arrival about himself ‘just like a typical American’

Gunther had 2 decisions to make connected "Friday Night SmackDown."

After he grounded to motion a statement pinch SmackDown, nan favour he wanted from Paul Heyman appeared to travel to fruition. Heyman sewage Gunther a lucifer astatine Clash successful Italy for Cody Rhodes’ Undisputed WWE Championship.

Heyman put nan onus connected Rhodes – nan look of nan bluish marque – to make Gunther motion nan contracts. Rhodes sewage to nan ringing and setup nan tables and chairs himself arsenic he awaited Gunther to travel to nan ring.

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Wrestler Gunther makes his entranceway during SmackDown astatine Colonial Life Arena successful Columbia, S.C., connected May 15, 2026. (Rich Wade/WWE)

Gunther was upset that Rhodes allegedly impeded connected Gunther’s "strategic planning" that went into signing pinch SmackDown. He said Rhodes made his presence to SmackDown each astir himself.

"Just for illustration a emblematic American. I shouldn’t beryllium surprised. I spot it connected your cervix each week," the 6-foot-4 Austrian said of Rhodes’ cervix tattoo. "When nan attraction is not connected you, you cry, you kick and you find a measurement to make it each astir yourself. But not for illustration me. This is my deal. This is my title match. This will beryllium my title. So, aureate boy, each I want you to do is beryllium professional, reside maine nicely and don’t hide to opportunity please. It’s very simple."

Rhodes reminded that Gunther "got nan drop" connected him and that he sewage Heyman to do a favour for him.

"Yes, I’m nan 1 pinch nan U.S. emblem connected nan broadside of my neck, sure, but you’re nan 1 who’s making it weird," Rhodes responded. "So, here’s nan thing, I’m going to make it simple. This is nan statement correct here. It’s successful this ring. That’s wherever you request to beryllium and you request to motion it. You want maine to opportunity please? Sure, please travel to this ring, motion this statement truthful that you’re guaranteed to get your a-- kicked astatine Clash successful Italy."

Royce Keys interrupted nan segment and told Gunther that if he wouldn’t motion nan contract, he would. Keys marched to nan ringing and was astir to motion nan statement earlier Gunther took nan pen away.

SmackDown wide head Nick Aldis said Gunther "over played" his manus and that he wasn’t guaranteed a changeable anymore. Aldis made a lucifer betwixt Gunther and Keys for later successful nan night.

Keys went into nan lucifer still pinch Solo Sikoa successful his ear trying to get him to subordinate forces pinch him, Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga. With Sikoa perchance successful his caput and later connected nan extracurricular of nan ringing successful his corner, he came into nan SmackDown main arena looking to leap to nan apical of nan title ladder.

Gunther gave everything Keys could handle, but couldn’t support nan large man down. Keys showed why he was a unit to beryllium reckoned with. However, Keys conscionable couldn’t get a pin connected him.

When nan referee went down, Sikoa slid a chair successful and tried to goad Keys into utilizing it. Keys threw it backmost astatine Sikoa. It was nan distraction that Gunther needed. The ref sewage backmost up, Gunther powerbombed Keys and pinned him for nan win.

Cody Rhodes stands complete Gunther during SmackDown astatine Colonial Life Arena successful Columbia, S.C., connected May 15, 2026. (Rich Wade/WWE)

Rhodes attacked Gunther from down arsenic nan "Career Killer" was celebrating nan victory.

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Carmelo Hayes, Ricky Saints showcase early of SmackDown

Carmelo Hayes and Ricky Saints correspond nan early of SmackDown and nan 2 were successful action during nan nighttime arsenic they some looked to look arsenic contenders for nan United States Championship.

Hayes, a erstwhile U.S. champion himself, was making his first quality successful nan ringing since April 3 erstwhile he mislaid his rematch for nan title against Sami Zayn. Hayes didn’t look to show immoderate benignant of ringing rust arsenic he took nan onslaught to Saints early.

But Saints, nan savvy erstwhile NXT and North American champion, sewage his opportunity to slow down nan lucifer and return it to Hayes. He showboated his measurement done nan lucifer arsenic he deed dropkicks, suplexes, chops and much to deterioration down Hayes.

Ricky Saints makes his entranceway during SmackDown astatine Colonial Life Arena successful Columbia, S.C., connected May 15, 2026. (Rich Wade/WWE)

Hayes avoided a superplex effort and turned nan tables connected Saints, hitting a frog splash. He only picked up a 2 count. The 2 men were staggered and stunned arsenic they hoped for nan win. Saints moreover collapsed retired a high-angled driver, but only sewage a 2 count.

Saints was surviving everything Hayes was giving him. After Saints kicked retired of nan First 48, he deed a Revolution DDT connected Hayes, but again, only sewage a 2 count. Saints tried to cheat to get nan win, but referee Charles Robinson caught him and stopped his count.

As Saints based on pinch Robinson, Hayes rolled up Saints and utilized nan ropes for leverage to get nan pin. Robinson didn’t spot nan move and Hayes sewage nan win.

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SmackDown lucifer results

Trick Williams def. The Miz

Paige and Brie Bella def. Giulia and Kiana James.

Carmelo Hayes def. Ricky Saints

Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss def. Michin and B-Fab via DQ.

Gunther def. Royce Keys.