Tag: Cody Rhodes

Cody Rhodes thinks WWE Clash has already become ‘Big Four’ PLE

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Cody Rhodes thinks WWE’s international Clash events have already made their mark as one of the biggest shows the company puts on each year.

While speaking with ESPN Unsportsmanlike ahead of Sunday’s Clash in Italy, Rhodes said he would personally rank Clash as one of WWE’s “Big Four” PLEs alongside WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, and SummerSlam. He also mentioned Money in the Bank as being in contention but thinks Survivor Series — a traditional “Big Four” event — no longer occupies one of those spots.

“I think Clash is sneaking up as one of WWE’s ‘Big Four’ PLEs,” Rhodes said. “The fact that it’s somewhere new international each year. And Italy, I think they’re up to the task.”

Previous Clash events have been held in Paris (2025), Glasgow (2024), and Cardiff (2022), with this becoming a signature event for the European market.

“I think Clash is becoming that [a ‘Big Four’ event] because of the international appeal of it and the fact that, you know, it’s moving all around,” Rhodes said. “I like that it gives every city an opportunity to be the best Clash.”

Rhodes gave WWE president Nick Khan credit for identifying international markets to visit. Those European countries are now competing with each other to be the loudest WWE crowd.

“I think right now one of the things you’re seeing with the international crowds and Nick Khan’s been so good about identifying this in the different markets, is they’re almost competing with each other in a fun way,” Rhodes said. “In a sense of, ‘Well, Lyon, France is the loudest crowd ever in WWE history. We’re going to be even louder.’ Even some more subdued, you know, the German crowd always fills the arenas but they’re a little bit more subdued in the noise and the acoustics, even they have decided, ‘No, we’re getting in on being the loudest crowd.’ And that’s really the challenge that we present to them.”

Cody Rhodes at WWE Clash in Italy —

Rhodes enters Sunday’s event in Turin as the Undisputed WWE Champion. He’ll be putting the title on the line against Gunther, and fans won’t have to wait very long for their matchup. Rhodes vs. Gunther has been announced as one of the matches scheduled for the first hour of the show. It begins at 2 p.m. Eastern time with the first hour being simulcast on ESPN.

Rhea Ripley vs. Jade Cargill for the WWE Women’s Championship is the other match set for hour one. In the Unsportsmanlike interview, Rhodes praised Ripley by saying he doesn’t think there is a bigger star in the wrestling space than her right now.

Cody Rhodes reflects on WWE WrestleMania injury and rivalry with Gunther 

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

Cody Rhodes addressed recovery from his WWE WrestleMania injuries and his upcoming match against Gunther this weekend. 

Promoting his match against Gunther during an interview with ESPN, Rhodes talked about his eye injury at WrestleMania. He revealed that his eye was completely swollen shut and had to receive multiple staples and stitches to his head. 

“Well, I’m here. Yeah, I’m here and I’m holding the WWE Championship. So, most important thing and all that concussion protocol and the fact that this thing was completely swollen shut, staples to the back of the head, stitches to the front of the head, I still found a way to wrestle the following week. So, built a little different. Yeah. I’m feeling real braggadocious about it. You know, built different, gave me his best shot and I came and wrestled the next week.” 

Promoting his WWE Championship match against Gunther, he dismissed the challenger’s claims of Clash in Italy being on his home turf. 

“I don’t think it’s his home turf. This isn’t Austria. We’re talking about this is Clash in Italy. They are not the same places. Europe is not a monolith. And I actually think that he’s of the impression this will be an away game for me. I don’t think that. I think Italy will be a crowd like France was. Loudest WWE crowd imaginable.” 

The PLE will take place on May 31 in Turin, Italy. The match card also features Roman Reigns defending the World Heavyweight Championship against Jacob Fatu in Tribal Combat. Becky Lynch and Sol Ruca get their SNME rematch but the Intercontinental Title is on the line. WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley squares off against Jade Cargill again. Meanwhile, Brock Lesnar looks to complete his unfinished business with Oba Femi.

Gunther admits he’s ‘still a little bit of an outcast’ in WWE

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

Gunther reflected on his unconventional rise in WWE and why he does not have a wrestling catchphrase. 

Speaking with Rompipallone, Gunther talked about his transition to NXT. And despite being on the main roster for about five years, is considered a veteran and an influence on the next generation. 

“The thing is I didn’t have the typical WWE career, I would say, because I’ve been off the radar for most of my career which helped me in WWE. Basically come in and I had figured myself out already. And yeah, that’s why it’s sometimes hard to give people advice on how to play the game in the WWE system and stuff because I had my very special journey when it came to that but it’s also, that’s something you grow into as well over the time. Sometimes I feel like obviously I do feel like I belong, but sometimes I feel like I’m still a little bit of an outcast when it comes to that. But I think it’s a very interesting position I’m in. So I’m enjoying it how it is.”

Gunther explained why he does not have a catchphrase in WWE. He cited he’s more interested in letting his in-ring performance speak for itself. 

“The man without phrases I think. There’s a reason why I don’t have any catchphrases or something like that, because I leave that to people like Cody Rhodes who can give themselves all kinds of cool names, cool sounding names that’s easy for the marketing department to use and put on t-shirts. That’s not me, I’m not interested in that part. I’m interested in what happens in the ring, that’s my number one.”

Gunther will face Rhodes at Clash in Italy on May 31 for the Undisputed WWE Championship. He blindsided the champion in an attack earlier this month setting sights on a new mission to capture gold. This ultimately set up the match for the Premium Live Event in Turin. 

WWE announces two Clash in Italy matches for ESPN

Posted on by Vincent Verhei

Last week, WWE announced that the first hour of Clash in Italy would be airing on ESPN. Tonight they announced which matches will occupy that timeslot.

During tonight’s episode of Monday Night Raw named two matches that would open Clash in Italy. One was Cody Rhodes defending the WWE Undisputed Championship against Gunther. The other will be Rhea Ripley defending the WWE Women’s Championship against Jade Cargill in a WrestleMania rematch. 

The full card for Clash in Italy:

  • Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther for the Undisputed WWE Championship
  • Rhea Ripley vs. Jade Cargill for the WWE Women’s Championship
  • Roman Reigns vs. Jacob Fatu in Tribal Combat for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship
  • Becky Lynch vs. Sol Ruca for the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship
  • Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar

Clash in Italy airs on May 31 from the Inalpi Arena in Turin, Italy. The event will start at 8 p.m. local time, which will be 2 p.m. on the East Coast of the United States, 11 a.m. on the West Coast. Full information on how to watch can be found here. 

WOL: Distraction after distraction after distraction

Posted on by Jim Valley

It’s the Saturday Wrestling Observer Live with Jim Valley.

Five out of six matches on WWE SmackDown had distraction finishes. Do all of these people need to stay strong for the future? In three hours, only one person can lose clean? We discuss.

Plus, you don’t need to make excuses and fantasy book a real life battery charge, especially when there are details listed in the police affidavit. Let it play out. No need to cape for strangers you see on TV.

Plus, the Hana Kimura Memorial Show, Marigold, AEW Double or Nothing and more.

Check it out.

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WWE SmackDown live results: Tiffany Stratton US title open challenge

Posted on by Marc Quill

The road to Clash in Italy rolls through Lexington, Kentucky, on tonight’s WWE SmackDown with a week to go until the event in Turin, Italy.

A confrontation between WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and impending title challenger Gunther is being promised after Rhodes took out the “Ring General” last week.

WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley will open the show by answering Jade Cargill’s challenge for a rematch at next weekend’s PLE.

Reigning WWE Women’s United States Champion Tiffany Stratton will hold an open challenge.

After defeating Ricky Saints last week in his return, former WWE United States Champion Carmelo Hayes will share some thoughts on reigning champion Trick Williams and his running mate, Lil’ Yachty.

Drew McIntyre will return on the show in his first appearance since losing to Jacob Fatu at WrestleMania 42.

The only match announced thus far features Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Talla Tonga.

**********

Rhea Ripley kicks off SmackDown

The reigning WWE Women’s Champion got our night going as she made her way to the ring. We got a recap of Jade Cargill’s return from two weeks ago and how the former champion and her Baddies put a beating on Ripley, Charlotte Flair, and Alexa Bliss.

“Welcme to Friday Night Mami”, Ripley opened in her usual manner. She talked about how she had one week off and everyone missed her. All Jade Cargill and her crew did was manage to piss Ripley off. She said that if Cargill wanted it so badly, she’d beat her again at Clash in Italy for the WWE Women’s Championship. As Ripley raised her belt high, her uneasy allies Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss interrupted.

Flair said that she appreciated Ripley wanting to defend her title, but she and Charlexa had their six-woman tag match tomorrow night at Saturday Night’s Main Event to look forward to. Flair wondered where Ripley was last week when Cargill and her Baddies laid her and Bliss out. Ripley said that she went home to see her family. Ripley got mad at Flair’s accusations, stating that Bliss got the most of the brunt and that if Flair couldn’t have the back of her own partner, how can she count of Flair’s help.

Fatal Influence, the trio making waves on SmackDown as of late, interrupted the proceedings. Jacy Jayne said that her group was making an impact and that Ripley, Bliss and Flair were at each other’s throats since Fatal Influence arrived. Flair didn’t have time for this as she offered any two of Fatal Influence to face her and Bliss in tag team action later tonight.

This was a good opener to establish the situation of “can they co-exist” with Ripley and Bliss/Flair.

**************

– Backstage, Alexa Bliss gave the bad news to Charlotte Flair that she wasn’t going to team up with her tonight against Fatal Influence. Instead, Flair will have to team up with Rhea Ripley, because Bliss wants the two to get their acts together and stop bickering already.

Talla Tonga vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

Talla used his strength to push Nakamura away to start off, but the King of Strong Style briefly dodged a strike from the big man. Talla took over with a clubbing strike to the chest as he then stomped at his smaller foe in the corner. Talla threw Nakamura hard into the opposite corner, which left him down and out. That was followed by a scoop slam to the mat. Just as Talla charged into the corner, Nakamura dodged and began trying to hit him with kicks to the chest. As Talla staggered back against the ropes, Nakamura clotheslined him out of the ring.

That advantage was all but fleeting, as Nakamura got taken out and thrown into the barricade as we took a commercial timeout.

As we returned from commercial, Nakamura was slammed again by Talla. A chokeslam attempt by Talla was turned into a triangle choke by Nakamura, who transitioned it into a guillotine choke. Nakamura escaped the grasp of Talla as he battered him with a strike to the back of the big man’s knee. Nakamura again avoided a running attack from Talla, which left his foe trapped in the corner. On a kneeling Talla, Nakamura connected with the Scorpio Rising kick for the near-fall. Nakamura had Talla lined up for Kinshasa, but Solo SIkoa got on the apron to create enough of a distraction. This led to a running powerslam and a chokeslam by Talla for the three.

After the match, Sikoa and Talla looked like they were gonna finish Nakamura off, but Tama Tonga interrupted. After some hesitation, Tama hit Nakamura with the dulled, not-so-hidden blade of the Cutthroat. Just as Sikoa was going to hit the Samoan Spike, Damian Priest ran down with a chair in hand. The M.F.T.s backed off.

Talla Tonga def. Shinsuke Nakamura via pinfall

I can’t say that I’m excited about the M.F.T. drama being a continued thing, but this match was okay. I’m not fully on board on the Talla Tonga train.

**********

– As Nick Aldis was chatting with Charles Robinson, the lights flickered briefly. Aldis told Robinson to look into it. Cody Rhodes interrupted and wondered when Gunther was coming. Aldis said that he was going to make sure that the Clash in Italy contract would be signed. Sami walked into the room and offered to help Rhodes against Gunther. “Thanks, but no thanks,” said Rhodes as he left the room.

A very petulant Zayn whined about how Cody Rhodes always going to get what he wants, unaware that Rhodes was standing behind him. This led to a match between Zayn and Rhodes to be made for later tonight.

– The M.F.T.s were in conversation backstage, as Tama Tonga said the reason everyone was coming to get them, was that everyone thinks they’re weak. He said that Sikoa had to face Damian Priest on his own, for the sake of “The Family”.

WWE Women’s U.S. Title Open Challenge: Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Lash Legend

Nia Jax and Lash Legend came out, and had some words to say, as we learned that Legend was going to face Stratton for the Open Challenge.

Legend shoved down Stratton as the bell rang, and she used her size to effortlessly throw Stratton around. Another Biel throw was turned into a somersault dodge by Stratton, but Legend’s running shoulder tackle knocked her down afterwards. Stratton got back on it with a dropkick that sent her rolling out of the ring. That was followed by a vaulting press over the ropes onto Legend. An apron chokeslam by Legend left Stratton out cold as Chelsea Geen ran down to look after Stratton. That was our cue to take a break in the action.

Our match continued from the commercial break as Stratton was still under siege against the offense of Legend. In the corner, Legend attempted a move from the corner, but Stratton countered it into an Aloha Arn Sunset Flip pin attempt. Legend kicked out and then applied a resthold on Stratton. A jawbreaker from the Women’s U.S. Champ broke the hold. Legend ran right into the corner post, which allowed Stratton to hit another jawbreaker, followed by an athletic springboard stunner for the near-fall. Legend attempted a powerbomb, but Stratton countered that by sending her into the corner. Stratton went for her cartwheel Alabama Slam, but Legend caught that into a powerbomb for a close near-fall.

Legend went for the Lash Extension, but Stratton reversed it into a crucifix. Chelsea Green pushed Nia Jax into the corner, as Legend grabbed a hold of her from the ring. Stratton snuck up and got the rollup pin to retain the Women’s U.S. Title.

Tiffany Stratton def. Lash Legend via pinfall to retain the WWE Women’s U.S. Championship

That was not at all a good match. Both Stratton and Legend seemed like they were moving in molasses for the bulk of it. The only interesting aspect was Chelsea Green giving Stratton unwanted help to advance their story.

**********

– Nick Aldis was told of the power issues as he was directed to an unmarked room. In the room, we saw Danhausen was gain trying to reanimate the corpse from last week. Aldis told Danhausen to stop messing around, as the lights went out.

– Elsewhere, The Miz & Kit Wilson were interviewed, as Miz insisted that there was no curse. He complained about the Cleveland Cavaliers being cursed by Danhausen as Fraxiom rolled up. This led to a tag match between Wilson and Miz versus Fraxiom to be made for next week in Barcelona.

Trick Williams enters the scene

The United States Champion, flanked by his good friend Li’l Yachty, walked down to the ring with the crowd’s adulation for him as big as ever.

Williams and Yachty talked about what they did last week before Carmelo Hayes walked down to interrupt his old friend. The former U.S. Champion talked about how both he and Williams knew that this day was going to come. Hayes talked about how if it weren’t for Williams, he would’ve still be the U.S. Champion. However, Hayes wasn’t here to discredit Williams’ achievements as of late. But, Hayes pointed out how there’s a difference between holding a championship and carrying it. He discussed how he won the crowd over with his blood, sweat, and tears. That’s why Hayes wanted Williams to do the right thing and give the crowd what they want: Trick Williams vs. Carmelo Hayes for the United States Championship.

Yachty responded, stating that Williams had a schedule to keep, but Hayes butted in. He said that he and Williams go way back and that the old Trick Williams would never let anyone tell him what to do. Then again, Williams must be used to playing second fiddle.

Williams pointed out that we would indeed see him face Hayes right here and right now.

I enjoyed this segment. It played off of Hayes and Williams’ history and was a great way to get this match going.

**********

Trick Williams vs. Carmelo Hayes

This match kicked off after the commercial break. Williams had the early advantage with a shoulder block and a scoop slam. Hayes got back on his feet and used his agility to dodge the U.S. Champion. In the corner, Hayes chopped at the chest of Williams, which forced his foe to scurry to another corner. That didn’t leave him any peace from the chops. Williams blocked Hayes’ last chop and then delivered a hard slap that left him down and out.

Hard Irish whip by Williams was followed by the spinning kick to the face of Hayes. Standing suplex from Williams kept momentum firmly in the U.S. Champion’s side. Williams dropped Hayes throat-first onto the top rope as he sized him up for a side kick. Hayes avoided it and sent Williams over the top rope. He made a run for the ropes and looked for a big diving attack, but Li’l Yachty got in the way to protect Williams, which halted Hayes’ advance in the ring. This led to a break in the action.

Williams had Hayes in a resthold as we returned from break. The former U.S. Champ broke the hold and began to fight back. Williams and Hayes traded blows until the former hit a jumping neckbreaker as he then kipped up to his feet. Meanwhile, Ricky Saints appeared at ringside in the midst of this. Hayes recovered and hit the springboard clothesline and then followed it with Dirty Diana for a close two-count. Saints yelled at Hayes to focus on the match. Williams hit a pop-up uppercut on Hayes, but got hit with a series of superkicks from his opponent. Williams roared back with his spinning kick for the near-fall. Williams targeted Hayes for the Trick Shot, but was intercepted with First 48. One, two….. 2.99999!!!!!!!!! Hayes took notice and headed up top, perhaps looking for Nothin’ But Net. Ricky Saints provided a distraction, which didn’t seem to sit well with Williams. Saints argued with the referee as Hayes rolled up Williams to no avail. Hayes punched Saints off the apron, but that opened him up to Williams’ Trick Shot as he ended up looking up at the lights at the end of it all.

Trick Williams def. Carmelo Hayes via pinfall

That was a really good match, and I do like this U.S. Title picture opening up with Hayes and Saints being a key part of it. Hope to see more of this in the coming weeks.

**********

– Ricky Saints was badmouthing Carmelo Hayes backstage, but he got socked in the jaw for his troubles. Hayes warned Saints to stay away from his business.

– A recap of Brock Lesnar’s return on Raw was shown.

Charlotte Flair & Rhea Ripley vs. Fallon Henley & Lainey Reid

Flair and Henley started off this tag match, as the latter kicked it off hot with the head scissor takedown. Flair dragged Henley to her corner as Ripley blindtagged. Reid entered the match for Fatal Influence and had Ripley trapped in the corner for a bit. A leap from the middle rope was turned from a crossbody to a fallaway slam by Ripley. Flair tagged herself in by patting Ripley on the head. Outside the ring, Reid and Henley isolated Flair as Fatal Influence was in control as we headed to commercial.

We returned from the break with Flair trying to fend off Reid and Henley with chops. However, Reid’s well-placed superkicked folded Flair up like an accordion. Irish whip to the corner was turned into a leap over the corner by Flair. A boot for Henley, but Jacy Jayne tripped up Flair while Reid distracted the referee. Henley kept Flair grounded with a chinlock, but that got broken up. Flair attempted to reach out to Ripley as she used elbow strikes to create some distance. However, Henley prevented it. Henley was thrown out of the ring, which seemingly gave Flair the opening to tag, but Reid stopped it with a clip of the leg. Flair hit a neckbreaker on Reid, which finally gave Ripley the hot tag.

Ripley ran through Reid and Henley with a superkick in the corner, followed by a German suplex on the latter. Capoeira kick by Ripley led to the Razor’s Edge and the Shining Wizard to Reid. Henley broke the count, but Flair took her out, and then Jayne with a dive to the corner.

In the corner, Flair took the superkick from Reid, as Ripley hoisted her up for Riptide. Meanwhile, Flair blindtagged into the match and finished off Reid with Natural Selection.

Post-match, Jade Cargill and the Baddies attacked Charlexa and Ripley, as Fatal Influence joined in the attack. In the ring, Cargill took out Ripley with Jaded.

Charlotte Flair & Rhea Ripley def. Fatal Influence via pinfall

This was an alright match, but not really feeling Jade Cargill in the title picture at the moment.

**********

– Jade Cargill and the Baddies bragged about their handiwork as they also took shots at Fatal Influence in the process. Cargill promised to take her WWE Women’s Title back at Clash in Italy.

Damian Priest vs. Solo Sikoa

Priest went after Sikoa right away by taking him out as he reached the apron. The leap from stairs and a takedown from Priest, who then followed that with a hard throw to the steel steps. In the ring, Sikoa bounced back with a throat strike to Priest. However, fought back witha jumping elbow strike. On the apron, Priest was distracted by Talla Tonga, which allowed Sikoa to grab him for the scoop slam into the ring as we took a break in the action.

We returned from the break as Priest and Sikoa dueled on the top rope with trading strikes. A bell clap from Priest stunned Sikoa long enough for the superplex. Priest rose to his feet and began battering Sikoa with his strikes of the punch and kick variety. That was followed by leaping shoulder charges onto Sikoa into the corner, followed by a Broken Arrow for the near-fall. Priest charged his elbow up, as Tama Tonga created a distraction while the ref was focused on Sikoa. Talla Tonga struck Priest, who stumbled into Sikoa’s Spinning Solo. Priest kicked out and then hit Sikoa with the rebound lariat. Tama Tonga again got on the apron but got dropped to the ground. Talla Tonga got on the apron and got teed up for the kicks, but Sikoa intercepted Priest with the Samoan Spike for the win.

The M.F.T.s tried to attack Priest some more, but Royce Keys ran down and took out Talla and Tama Tonga. He sized up Sikoa to fight him, but Sikoa backed up. A delirious Priest grabbed Keys by the throat, thinking he was a threat.

Solo Sikoa def. Damian Priest via pinfall

This match was alright, I supposed. The finish being more M.F.T. interference stuff and the Sikoa/Tama tension being really wishy-washy didn’t help matters either.

*********

Saturday Night’s Main Event (5/23/26) Card:

  • World Tag Team Championship: Logan Paul & Austin Theory (c) vs. The Street Profits
  • Intercontinental Championship: Penta (c) vs. “All Ego” Ethan Page
  • Becky Lynch vs. Sol Ruca
  • Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair, & Alexa Bliss vs. The Baddies (Jade Cargill, B-Fab, & Michin)
  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: Paige & Brie Bella vs. The Irresistable Forces (Nia Jax & Lash Legend)

– Chelsea Green ran into Blake Monroe, who remarked that she saw Green and that now she wish that she didn’t. After Monroe left, Nia Jax literally ran into Green as payback for earlier. The crack team of road agents got Jax and Legend to back off, with the damage already done to Green.

– Royce Keys was still angry about being grabbed by the throat, stating that R-Truth called him to help Damian Priest out. Priest seemed angry as he didn’t ask for Keys’ help and that for all he knew, he could be working for the M.F.T.s. Keys responded, flatly stating that if it was an issue that Priest wants, then it may very well be an issue he’s going to get if he’s not careful.

Cody Rhodes vs. Sami Zayn

Zayn offered a handshake to Rhodes, who accepted as our main event got underway. Armdrag by Zayn was followed by another handshake, but Rhodes seemed annoyed by it. Rhodes slid under a Zayn dropkick as he then hit him with the drop-down uppercut. Standing suplex was followed by Rhodes now offering a handshake of his own. Zayn refused it as the two traded chops to the chest in the corner. Zayn ran Rhodes and got hit with the powerslam. Rhodes tried to go for maybe a Cody Cutter, but Zayn tripped him up as we took our final commercial break of the evening.

Our main event returned from the break as Zayn tried to lift Rhodes up for a suplex, but he found himself taking a ride for a Rhodes suplex instead. Rhodes hit Zayn with the Dusty punches, followed by the Cody Cutter for the near-fall as the champ favored his hurt leg. Rhodes set Zayn up for Cross Rhodes, but that was reversed as he got sent over the top rope onto the apron. Rhodes then was sent crashing over the announce table by a Zayn charging attack. By the closest of margins, Rhodes made it before the count of ten on one leg. Zayn smelled blood and had Rhodes lined up for the Helluva Kick, but struck out on the swing. Rhodes hit the “Super” Cody Cutter off the corner, but Zayn just managed to kick out a two.

Zayn rolled up Rhodes but couldn’t get the win. The Blue Thunder Bomb from Zayn had similar results. Zayn went after Rhodes’ damaged leg and applied the Figure Four leglock right in the centre of the ring. Rhodes fought through the pain and managed to reverse it to put the pressure on Zayn’s knee. A rope break managed to force Rhodes to release the hold. As both Zayn and Rhodes got back to their feet, the two exchanged strikes until a Disaster Kick knocked Zayn loopy. As Rhodes had Zayn at his mercy, Gunther snuck up and applied the sleeper hold. However, Zayn completely missed the Helluva Kick That opened him up for Cross Rhodes and the win.

Post match, the mecurial Austrian put Rhodes to sleep as Zayn just left.

Cody Rhodes def. Sami Zayn via pinfall

*************

A good main event to a middle of the road edition of SmackDown. The Gunther/Rhodes feud is good stuff and is probably one of the only good things about SmackDown as of late, which has felt just kind of there.

I will say that the U.S. Title scene is at least heating up and I do like Trick Williams, Carmelo Hayes, and Ricky Saints. It’s a lot more preferrable to the Gingerbread Man antics of the last few weeks. It’s something I’ll be keeping an eye on in the coming weeks.

Not so good was the M.F.T.s stuff because I’m still not a fan of it, especially with the group whittled down to just three guys. I dunno, I’m just not a fan.

All in all, just an okay show with nothing really exciting to write home about, but thankfully nothing really awful to complain about.

Jimmy Hart recalls being shot by wrestling fan with dart gun 

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

Jimmy Hart revisited the night a fan shot him with a homemade dart gun at a wrestling event. 

He detailed the incident to Cody Rhodes on the latest episode of What Do You Wanna Talk About? Podcast. It happened after a six-man tag team match featuring himself, The Dream Machine (Troy Graham) and Handsome Jimmy (Jimmy Valiant) against Jerry Lawler, Jerry Jarrett and Dylan D. When he was being carried out after the match, he initially thought his tights were burnt but backstage learned he had been shot with a dart gun. 

“I didn’t complain or get mad. I loved that when we had people (mad), you know, I got shot one time in Louisville. Everybody has, in the rump with a dart gun. A guy made a homemade dart, hit me right up. They, he got a cheap little straw from Wendy’s or McDonald’s or whatever building this big one made at home, took a little needle, like threading needle, put it in there, put a little thing on it and went as I was coming out because they had me draped over Handsome Jimmy’s shoulder.” 

“It was a six man tag. It was like Jerry Lawler, Jerry Jarrett and Dylan D against me, the Dream Machine and Handsome Jimmy. And I’m leaning over the back. They carried me out. Of course I got beat right. So I’m leaning over the back and all of a sudden I’m going, ‘Oh God’. And I thought, ‘man, I hope nobody burnt my tights’ because we didn’t make a lot of money back then. And so I got back. I went, ‘Oh my, I hope my tights aren’t burnt.’ They go no, look, they went ‘whoa’ And I went ‘what is it?’ They go, ‘look, it’s a dart’. And I went ‘Oh my God,’. Then Miss Jarrett ran, she goes ‘you’ve got to go get a tetanus shot.'”

“I went ‘Oh my God, it’s going to take my whole payoff to go get a tetanus shot’, you know, but I went and got a tetanus shot.I didn’t have anything, thank goodness, but that’s what happened.”

Hart stated he does not hold any grudges over the incident and  believes fan backlash comes with varied portrayals in wrestling. 

“I don’t really get mad about it because we get the people upset over it and then we get mad because they get upset with those. It didn’t make any sense, right?”

Former Layla reveals why she dated Cody Rhodes: ‘He was going to be a star’

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Former WWE diva Layla has opened up and revealed why she dated Cody Rhodes during their time together at the wrestling promotion.

During a recent interview with Sportshadow, Layla said that she started dating Rhodes because she knew he was going to be a star.

“Absolutely 100%, I saw that. I started dating Cody [Rhodes] because I knew he was going to be a star, and he had a lot of dreams, and everything that he told me he was going to do, he’s done it. So congratulations to him because for someone who can tell you their dreams and they’re going to make it happen and they do make it happen, congratulations,” she said. “Of course, I saw it because I wouldn’t have dated him or been with him if I didn’t see everything that people are seeing now.”

However, despite the expectations from Rhodes, he was not always seen as a star or a top name during his first run in WWE. However, it was his development in the indies, AEW run, and WWE comeback in 2022 that actually elevated him to the main-event scene and effectively made him the face of the promotion.

After Rhodes and Layla split up, the 40-year-old began a relationship with Brandi Rhodes, whom he later married and now has two kids with.

WOL: WWE needs to stop with the bait & switch tactics

Posted on by Jim Valley

It’s the Saturday Wrestling Observer Live with Jim Valley.

Friday’s ROH SuperCard of Honor saw some great performances, a few surprises, returns and sneak attacks which included Swerve Strickland blindsiding Bandito ahead of their Owen Hart tournament match next weekend at AEW Double or Nothing.

Friday’s WWE SmackDown set up Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther at Clash in Italy. Wasn’t Gunther’s deal with Paul Heyman supposed to do that? WWE needs to stop with the bait and switch. I explain why.

Plus, the latest on the NJPW Best of the Super Juniors, Ronda Rousey returning to fighting, and more. Check it out.

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WWE Championship match official for Clash in Italy

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Gunther is ready for Clash in Italy.

It was made official on Friday’s SmackDown that Gunther will challenge Cody Rhodes after defeating Royce Keys in an impromptu number one contender’s match. As a result, he will now officially challenge Rhodes in Turin on May 31.

Rhodes came to the ring Friday holding the contract that was given to him by Heyman last week. Rhodes demanded Gunther arrive to sign it, ready to defend the title later this month. The former World Heavyweight Champion came out and instead played games, asking Rhodes to say please. Keys interrupted the proceedings and told Gunther if he wasn’t going to sign it, he would. The two argued over who was going to sign until Nick Aldis interrupted, setting up the main event.

The finish of the main event saw Solo Sikoa arrive and introduce a steel chair to the match despite Keys telling Sikoa earlier in he show he didn’t want his help. Keys proceeded to throw the chair at Sikoa’s head, sending him out to the floor. Gunther cut off Keys and pinned him following a powerbomb.

Another match seemed to be made for Turin, as Jade Cargill said she would be taking the WWE Women’s title back from Rhea Ripley at Clash in Italy. However, the match has yet to be confirmed. What was confirmed was a six-woman tag team match for Saturday Night’s Main Event which will see Cargill team with Michin and B-Fab to take on Ripley, Charlotte Flair, and Alexa Bliss.

WWE Clash in Italy (May 31)

  • WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes defends against Gunther

Updated preview for WWE SmackDown Backlash fallout episode

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE has made its first slate of announcements for tonight’s Backlash fallout edition of SmackDown.

– Gunther all but joined the SmackDown roster last week, but he’ll officially decide tonight if he’s going to be part of the brand going forward. If he does sign his SmackDown contract, Gunther challenging Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship will be confirmed for Clash in Italy on May 31.

– Tonight’s show is taking place at Colonial Life Arena on the campus of the University of South Carolina, where Trick Williams once played college football. A special homecoming celebration will be held for Williams on SmackDown. He’s coming off a successful United States Championship defense against Sami Zayn at Backlash.

– Last Friday, Jade Cargill returned for the first time since dropping the WWE Women’s Championship to Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 42. She immediately set her sights back on Ripley, with Cargill, B-Fab & Michin interrupting a six-woman tag match and causing Ripley, Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss to lose to Fatal Influence.

Cargill will appear on tonight’s show and address the fans following last week’s attack.

WWE SmackDown (Friday, May 15) —

  • Gunther decides whether to join SmackDown to challenge Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes
  • United States Champion Trick Williams returns to the University of South Carolina for a homecoming celebration
  • Jade Cargill addresses her attack on WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley

Cody Rhodes is open to his daughters becoming wrestlers

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Hailing from the legendary Rhodes wrestling family, Cody Rhodes has now opened up on the chances of his daughters becoming wrestlers.

In an interview with US Weekly at the Disney Upfronts, Cody Rhodes was asked about the possibility of his daughters, Liberty and Leilani, becoming pro-wrestlers themselves.

Not brushing aside the chances, Rhodes claimed that if they have to be the best, if they plan to become wrestlers. “I would say the same thing my dad said, which was, ‘Cool, you can go into it, but you have to be the best.’ That’s easier said than done, but I think they could certainly do it, those two.”

Cody and his wife, Brandi Rhodes, welcomed Liberty into the world in June 2021, while Leilani was born in August 2025.

Cody Rhodes’ wrestling family legacy

Cody Rhodes is himself a second-generation wrestler. He is the son of WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes and the younger brother of current AEW wrestler Dustin Rhodes.

Born and raised in the wrestling business, Rhodes has been a part of the business since his early years. A veteran now, Rhodes is also married to Brandi Rhodes, who is herself a former ring announcer and pro-wrestler.

Rhodes has been wrestling since 2006 and has performed all over the world, including TNA, Japanese and British promotions, AEW, and WWE. A former AEW EVP, Rhodes is currently a 3-time WWE Champion.

Cody Rhodes reveals Nintendo sent cease-and-desist over Zelda-inspired gear

Posted on by Vincent Verhei

Cody Rhodes has risen from being the son of a son of a plumber, to AEW executive vice president, to WWE Champion. But even he still yields to the power of Nintendo’s attorneys.

Rhodes discussed his legal run-ins with the video game giant on the latest episode of What Do You Wanna Talk About? As he and Kit Wilson were talking about their favorite video games, the conversation turned to the Legend of Zelda-themed gear Rhodes used to wear.

“I got a cease and desist [notice] from Nintendo,” he said. “It was very kind. It was polite. They weren’t coming after anybody. They’re friendly. I’m not the first guy to have the Triforce.”

Rhodes also talked about the Triforce and why he chose to put it on his boots in the first place.

“I thought the principles of the Triforce, which are power, courage, and wisdom—and for those who don’t know, Zelda’s the wise one, obviously Link is the one who’s got the courage, and power is Gannon,” Rhodes explained. “They make up the three parts of the Triforce, that’s the whole deal. And I just liked the idea of thinking and leaning towards your own wisdom or what you’ve learned and applying it, of being ambitious and wanting to be powerful, in a world that’s competitive of sports and sports entertainment, and then having the courage to do it.”

WOL: Bread Man Walking

Posted on by Jim Valley

It’s the Saturday edition of Wrestling Observer Live with Jim Valley.

The Gingerbread Man closed the go-home Smackdown for tonight’s WWE Backlash, ending a show long angle that was short on big laughs and long on being long. If not for the aura of Trick Williams, this could have been a baking disaster. Will we see a surprise Gingerbread appearance at Backlash? It would all make sense if we did.

Between that, Pat McAfee, Gunther and Paul Heyman, among other WWE surprises haven’t been very surprising lately. Why do I hate fun and whimsy? Because I’m the gatekeeping fun police, that’s why!

Plus, thoughts on tonight’s Backlash, AEW Fairway to Hell and more. Check it out.

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Gunther joins WWE SmackDown brand, issues challenge to Cody Rhodes

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Gunther is coming for Cody Rhodes.

On Friday’s SmackDown, Gunther was set to discuss his actions after choking out Rhodes last week. Instead, Rhodes came out and said he wanted to face Gunther right then and there. Paul Heyman emerged and said the fight would not be in Jacksonville or even the United States. Rather, it would be in Turin, Italy on May 31, handing Rhodes a contract.

After the two traded some words, Heyman eventually left as Gunther used the distraction to run in through the crowd for the attack, attempting a sleeper. Rhodes managed to avoid it twice, causing Gunther to bail. Rhodes told Gunther that he was easy to find, but hard to beat, with announcers noting that nothing had been confirmed for Italy just yet.

It was also confirmed on Friday that Gunther had joined the SmackDown brand, jumping from Raw.

Gunther began to set his sights last week

Last week’s show had Rhodes announcing he medically cleared after injuring his orbital bone in the aftermath of his WWE title match against Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42. Rhodes accepted a challenge from Ricky Saints and managed to score the win, only for Gunther to jump him from behind and sink in his sleeper, quickly establishing himself as the next contender.