Cody Rhodes, the undisputed WWE champion, is set to defend his title in a triple-threat match at Night of Champions. Rhodes demanded the match from SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis to silence his challengers, Gunther and Sami Zayn. This request followed a chaotic segment at the start of “Friday Night SmackDown.”
During a championship bout, Sami Zayn served as the guest referee at Gunther’s request. Zayn tried to officiate fairly, but controversy ensued. After Gunther powerbombed Rhodes, a new referee was needed to count the pin. Zayn intervened, pulling the referee out of the ring, which angered Gunther. This led to further chaos as Rhodes managed to pin Gunther with Zayn’s help.
Backstage, arguments erupted between Zayn and Aldis, with Zayn declaring he maintained fairness until Gunther physically attacked him. Zayn’s actions led to a disqualification, further complicating matters. Ultimately, Rhodes secured the triple-threat match against his rivals for Night of Champions.
Another highlight was the determination of finalists for the King and Queen of the Ring. Jey Uso, a seasoned competitor and former world heavyweight champion, faced Je’Von Evans for a coveted spot in the finals. Without assistance from The Bloodline or Solo Sikoa, Uso claimed victory, setting the stage for a clash with Oba Femi at Night of Champions.
In the Queen of the Ring semifinals, Liv Morgan took on Charlotte Flair. Jade Cargill, Michin, and B-Fab targeted Flair’s injured knee, giving Morgan an upper hand. Morgan capitalized, advancing to the final where she’ll meet Iyo Sky with a title opportunity against Rhea Ripley on the line.
Match results from SmackDown included:
- Cody Rhodes retained the Undisputed WWE Championship against Gunther.
- Gunther defeated Cody Rhodes via disqualification.
- Damian Priest and R-Truth defended the WWE Tag Team Championship against Talla Tonga and Tama Tonga.
- Ricky Saints triumphed over Carmelo Hayes to become the No. 1 contender for the United States Championship.
- Jey Uso defeated Je’Von Evans in the King of the Ring Tournament.
- Liv Morgan beat Charlotte Flair in the Queen of the Ring Tournament.
Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.