Brock Lesnar returned on WWE Raw, ambushing Oba Femi with multiple F5s and prompting a contract for the biggest rematch in history at Clash In Italy on May 31, signaling the end of his surprise retirement storyline.
SmackDown from Columbia built toward Cody Rhodes’s title clash with GUNTHER at Clash in Italy after a tense contract segment where Nick Aldis warned that GUNTHER had overplayed his hand. The night’s main event pitted GUNTHER against Royce Keys to determine who earns a future title shot, with Rhodes delivering a post-match attack to seal the setup. Trick Williams enjoyed a hometown pop, Paige & Brie defended their titles in a functional match, and Jade Cargill’s promo advanced a faction storyline as WWE pushes toward big PLE showdowns while continuing several feuds for Raw and SNMEI. Overall, a solid episode that advances multiple programs and tees up Rhodes vs. GUNTHER in Turin.
Paul Heyman revealed that his favor to Gunther will set up an Undisputed WWE Championship match against Cody Rhodes at WWE Clash in Italy (May 31, Turin). Rhodes pressed for a fast title shot on SmackDown, but the contract mandates the Italy date; Gunther attacked Rhodes recently, and the title picture remains hot with Rhodes having beaten Gunther at Crown Jewel 2024, leaving open the possibility of a longer reign depending on the result.
Paul Heyman orchestrates a WWE Championship contract between Cody Rhodes and Gunther on SmackDown, paying off a favor owed to Gunther and fueling speculation about Rhodes’s heel turn, as Gunther refuses to sign and tension escalates.