WWE SmackDown Notes: Gunther vs. Cody Rhodes for Undisputed WWE Title To Kick Off Clash In Italy, Sami Zayn Explains Reason Why He Let Gunther Choke Out Cody Rhodes on 5/22 Show, Trick Williams Declares for 2026 King of the Ring, Jacy Jayne Declares for 2026 Queen of the Ring

Gunther vs. Cody Rhodes for Undisputed WWE Title To Kick Off WWE Clash In Italy

Friday’s WWE SmackDown show at the Olimpic Arena Badalona in Barcelona, Spain featured the announcement of which match will be the opening match for Clash in Italy, which takes place on May 31st at the Inalpi Arena in Turin, Italy.

It was announced that the Undisputed WWE Championship match of Gunther vs. Cody Rhodes (c) will be officially kicking off the event for the first hour on ESPN.

OFFICIAL

Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther will open up WWE Clash In Italy on Sunday! pic.twitter.com/DzjGS3OYdw

— WrestleTalk (@WrestleTalk_TV) May 29, 2026

Current card for WWE Clash in Italy:

• WWE World Heavyweight Championship Tribal Combat match – Jacob Fatu vs. Roman Reigns (c)
• WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship – Sol Ruca vs. Becky Lynch (c)
• Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar
• Undisputed WWE Championship – Gunther vs. Cody Rhodes (c) (ESPN)
• WWE Women’s Championship – Jade Cargill vs. Rhea Ripley (c) (ESPN)

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Sami Zayn Explains Reason Why He Let Gunther Choke Out Cody Rhodes on May 22nd Show

Friday’s WWE SmackDown show also featured Sami Zayn giving his reason why he did not save Cody Rhodes from Gunther’s attack on last week’s show.

During today’s show, Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes was seen backstage being interviewed by Cathy Kelly. This led to Zayn showing up to interrupt and told Rhodes if he had anything to say to him, which Rhodes did not respond back.

Rhodes and Zayn talked about Gunther’s attack after their match together on last week’s show. Zayn told Rhodes that the reason why he didn’t help him when Gunther was choking him out was because he wanted to teach Rhodes a lesson.

Rhodes responded stating once he’s done with Gunther, he will hopefully teach Zayn a lesson too in return.

Sami Zayn tells Cody Rhodes that he left him to get choked out by Gunther last week so he could learn a lesson#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/h82LU7wynC

— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) May 29, 2026

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Trick Williams Declares for 2026 King of the Ring Tournament

Friday’s WWE SmackDown show also featured Trick Williams officially declaring himself for this year’s King of the Ring tournament.

This announcement was setup following an in-ring promo segment involving Williams, Lil Yachty, Carmelo Hayes, and Ricky Saints.

TRICK WILLIAMS DECLARES FOR KING OF THE RING! 👑#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/h7LAW8mTfZ

— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) May 29, 2026

Williams joins LA Knight as those who have officially declared themselves for this year’s King of the Ring tournament.

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Jacy Jayne Declares for 2026 Queen of the Ring

Friday’s WWE SmackDown show also featured Jacy Jayne officially declaring herself for this year’s Queen of the Ring tournament.

This announcement was setup following a backstage promo segment involving Scream Mode (Paige & Brie Bella) and Fatal Influence (Jayne, Fallon Henley, & Lainey Reid).

Jacy Jayne has declared for Queen of the Ring.

She should be a favorite to win it. #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/wMlVAlCjBd

— Fightful Wrestling (@Fightful) May 29, 2026