Summary

Gunther made his move on Cody Rhodes after the Undisputed WWE Champion got through a title defense against Ricky Saints on the May 1 episode of SmackDown.

Saints stepped up earlier in the night and challenged Rhodes for the championship, and the match was later made official for the show. Rhodes ultimately retained when he countered a Roshambo attempt and connected with the Cody Cutter for the win.

The post-match scene quickly became the bigger story. Gunther attacked Rhodes from behind immediately after the bout and trapped him in a sleeper, putting the champion down after the defense was already over.

How the title match and attack unfolded

Rhodes had to survive a late push from Saints, who appeared close to taking control when he lifted the champion for Roshambo. Instead, Rhodes reversed the move and turned the exchange into the finishing sequence that kept the title around his waist.

That gave SmackDown a one-two punch around its top champion. Rhodes left the match with a successful defense, but he did not leave the segment standing after Gunther struck from behind.

Rhodes has also remained a central figure in the brand's recent weekly builds, including a featured SmackDown segment in mid-April.

What Gunther's attack means for Cody Rhodes

Gunther attacking Cody Rhodes right after an Undisputed WWE Championship match puts him directly in the title conversation on SmackDown. WWE did not need a formal challenge here, the timing of the attack made Gunther's intentions clear.

It also gives Rhodes a fresh threat immediately after getting through Ricky Saints. Rather than closing the show on a routine title retention, WWE used the aftermath to shift attention to a possible Rhodes vs. Gunther program.

Sources

As reported by Fightful