Gunther rejects Cody Rhodes contract offer on SmackDown
Gunther confronted Cody Rhodes on Friday Night SmackDown after Paul Heyman arranged a title match for the Austrian at Clash in Italy. Rhodes set up the ring table and chairs himself and presented the contract, but Gunther refused to sign and accused the champion of turning the situation into a personal spectacle.
After Gunther declined the SmackDown contract, Heyman secured the championship opportunity against Rhodes. Rhodes reminded Gunther that the match existed only because of Heyman’s intervention and urged him to sign so the bout could proceed as scheduled.
SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis declared that Gunther had forfeited the guaranteed title shot by refusing to sign. He booked Gunther against newcomer Royce Keys in the main event, with the winner to receive a future championship opportunity.
Keys controlled much of the match until a referee distraction allowed Gunther to powerbomb him for the victory. Rhodes then attacked Gunther from behind as he celebrated, setting up their scheduled clash at Clash in Italy.
