Gunther tells Rhodes to act professionally ahead of title match
Gunther confronted Cody Rhodes during Friday Night SmackDown after Paul Heyman secured a championship opportunity for the Austrian at Clash in Italy. Rhodes arrived in the ring with a contract and urged Gunther to sign it immediately. Gunther accused Rhodes of inserting himself into the situation and demanded a formal request before proceeding.
Royce Keys interrupted the exchange and attempted to claim the contract himself. Gunther stopped Keys from signing and later defeated him in the main event after Solo Sikoa provided a distraction. SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis then confirmed the title match would proceed as originally arranged.
Carmelo Hayes defeated Ricky Saints earlier in the evening in a United States Championship contender match. Hayes secured the victory by rolling up Saints and using the ropes for leverage, a move the referee did not detect.
Rhodes attacked Gunther from behind after the main-event match concluded. The confrontation sets up their championship bout at Clash in Italy.
