GUNTHER has secured a major title opportunity following the May 15 episode of WWE SmackDown, defeating Royce Keys in an impromptu number one contender’s match. With the win, he is now officially set to challenge Cody Rhodes at Clash in Italy in Turin on May 31.
The situation developed earlier in the show when Rhodes entered the ring holding the contract that Paul Heyman had given him the previous week. Rhodes called out GUNTHER and demanded he come to the ring to make the match official. When GUNTHER appeared, he avoided signing the contract right away and instead told Rhodes to ask properly, slowing down the process.
The segment took a turn when Royce Keys interrupted. Keys made it clear that if GUNTHER was not going to sign the contract, he would step in and do it himself. This led to a heated exchange between the two, as both argued over the opportunity. SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis then stepped in and made an impromptu match between GUNTHER and Keys, with the winner earning the title shot.
GUNTHER Defeats Royce Keys
The match served as the night’s main event and featured interference late in the contest. Solo Sikoa came to ringside and brought a steel chair into play, despite Keys previously stating he did not want any assistance. Keys reacted by throwing the chair at Sikoa, knocking him off the apron and removing him from the equation.
Moments later, GUNTHER regained control, stopped Keys’ momentum, and delivered a powerbomb to secure the pinfall victory. With that win, GUNTHER officially became the number one contender.
As a result, he will now face Rhodes for the championship at Clash in Italy, adding another high-profile match to the card.
In related developments, Jade Cargill stated that she intends to challenge Rhea Ripley for the WWE Women’s Championship at the same event, although that match has not been confirmed. What has been made official is a six-woman tag team match for Saturday Night’s Main Event, where Cargill will team with Michin and B-Fab against Ripley, Charlotte Flair, and Alexa Bliss.
GUNTHER Defeats Royce Keys in Impromptu No. 1 Contender’s Match
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