Cody Rhodes will now defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against both Gunther and Sami Zayn in a triple threat match at WWE Night of Champions. The bout came together as a direct result of Zayn’s disqualification-triggering attack on the June 19 episode of SmackDown, an act that bought him a spot in the title picture.
What started as a personal grudge has turned into a three-way collision with the biggest prize in WWE on the line. Zayn’s interference did not just cause chaos, it cost Gunther a clean shot at the title and earned himself a place in the championship match.
How The Triple Threat Came Together
The June 19 SmackDown saw Gunther challenging Rhodes for the WWE Championship, with Zayn serving as the special guest referee. Sami had been handpicked for the spot by the Ring General, but the move ended up backfiring on him.
Sami declared Rhodes the winner with a fast count after a scuffle with Gunther resulted in the Ring General powerbombing him. Nick Aldis made the decision to restart the match with a new referee on the insistence of Rhodes but the bout did not last long.
Having been clobbered by Gunther once again backstage, Sami Zayn attacked the former Imperium leader. He also ended up taking out Rhodes accidentally when the WWE Champion tried to stop the attack. Zayn then retreated in frustration with both Gunther and Cody lying in the ring to end the segment.
Night of Champions Match
Later in the night, Rhodes approached SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis and asked for a triple threat match against Gunther and Zayn. Aldis made it official for Night of Champions.
The match deepens Rhodes’ rivalry with both men, with Zayn entering the championship picture off the back of his SmackDown ambush rather than a traditional earned shot.