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Gunther had two decisions to make on “Friday Night SmackDown.”
After failing to sign a contract with SmackDown, the favor he expected from Paul Heyman seemed to come to fruition. Heyman offered Gunther a match at Clash in Italy for Cody Rhodes’ Undisputed WWE Championship.
Heyman put Rhodes – the face of the blue brand – in charge of getting Gunther to sign the contracts. Rhodes entered the ring and set up the tables and chairs himself while waiting for Gunther to come to the ring.
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Wrestler Gunther makes his entrance on SmackDown at the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina on May 15, 2026. (Rich Wade/WWE)
Gunther was upset that Rhodes allegedly interfered with Gunther’s “strategic planning” that led to his signing to SmackDown. He said Rhodes made his arrival to SmackDown all about him.
“Just like a typical American. I shouldn’t be surprised. I see it on your neck every week,” the 6-foot-4 Austrian said of Rhodes’ neck tattoo. “When the attention is not on you, you cry, you complain and you find a way to make everything about you. But not like me. This is my deal. This is my title match. This will be my title. So, golden boy, all I want you to do is be professional, address me nicely and remember to say please. It’s very simple.”
Rhodes recalled that Gunther “got the better of” him and that he asked Heyman to do him a favor.
“Yeah, I’m the one with the American flag on the side of my neck, sure, but you’re the one making things weird,” Rhodes replied. “So here’s the thing, I’ll keep it simple. It’s the contract right here. It’s in this ring. This is where you have to be and you have to sign it. You want me to say please? Sure, please come to this ring, sign this contract so you’re guaranteed to get kicked out at the Clash in Italy.”
Royce Keys interrupted the segment and told Gunther that if he didn’t sign the contract, he would. Keys walked to the ring and was about to sign the contract before Gunther picked up the pen.
SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis said Gunther “overplayed” his hand and was no longer guaranteed a shot. Aldis made a match between Gunther and Keys later that night.
Keys entered the match still with Solo Sikoa in his ear, trying to convince him to join forces with him, Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga. With Sikoa possibly in his head and later outside the ring in his corner, he entered the SmackDown main event with the intention of climbing to the top of the championship ladder.
Gunther gave all Keys could handle, but couldn’t hold off the big man. Keys showed why he was a force to be reckoned with. However, Keys just couldn’t locate him.
When the referee went down, Sikoa slipped a chair and tried to trick Keys into using it. Keys sent him back to Sikoa. It was the distraction Gunther needed. The referee got up, Gunther powerbombed Keys and pinned him for the win.
Cody Rhodes stands in front of Gunther during SmackDown at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina on May 15, 2026. (Rich Wade/WWE)
Rhodes attacked Gunther from behind as the “Career Killer” celebrated the victory.
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Carmelo Hayes and Ricky Saints preview the future of SmackDown
Carmelo Hayes and Ricky Saints represent the future of SmackDown and both were in action overnight as they both looked to emerge as United States Championship contenders.
Hayes, a former United States champion himself, was making his first in-ring appearance since April 3 when he lost his title rematch to Sami Zayn. Hayes didn’t seem to show any sort of rust as he attacked the Saints early.
But Saints, the former NXT Champion and savvy North American, had an opportunity to slow the match down and take it to Hayes. He worked his way through the match hitting dropkicks, suplexes, chops and more to wear Hayes down.
Ricky Saints makes his entrance during SmackDown at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina on May 15, 2026. (Rich Wade/WWE)
Hayes avoided a superplex attempt and turned the tables on the Saints, hitting a frog splash. He only got a two count. Both men were stunned and stunned as they hoped for victory. The Saints even blew out a high-angle driver, but only got a two count.
Saints survived everything Hayes gave him. After Saints was kicked out of the First 48, he hit a Revolution DDT on Hayes, but again only got a two count. The Saints tried to cheat their way to victory, but referee Charles Robinson caught him and stopped his count.
As Saints argued with Robinson, Hayes rolled up Saints and used the ropes as leverage to get the pin. Robinson didn’t see the move and Hayes got the win.
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SmackDown match results
Trick Williams def. The Miz
Paige and Brie Bella def. Julia and Kiana James.
Carmelo Hayes def. Ricky Saints
Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss def. Michin and B-Fab via DQ.
Gunther def. Royce keys.
