WWE SmackDown is set for another huge night as Cody Rhodes prepares for his upcoming Undisputed WWE Championship clash against Gunther. The blue brand heads to Columbia, South Carolina this week, and fans are expecting major drama before Clash in Italy later this month.
Cody Rhodes is officially advertised for tonight’s show, and there is already a lot of tension surrounding his rivalry with Gunther. With Paul Heyman now involved in the story, things could become even more dangerous for The American Nightmare.
Several top stars are also expected to appear on the show, including Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, and Gunther himself. However, all eyes will be on Cody Rhodes and what happens next in his championship story.
Here are three major things that could happen involving Cody Rhodes on WWE SmackDown tonight.
Gunther Could Send A Brutal Message
Gunther may decide to make a strong statement before Clash in Italy by targeting Cody Rhodes tonight.
Last week, Paul Heyman officially challenged Rhodes on Gunther’s behalf for the Undisputed WWE Championship. Even though Heyman claimed he was not directly working with Gunther, many fans still believe there could be something bigger happening behind the scenes.
There is also a chance that members connected to The Vision could get involved. Stars like Bron Breakker, Austin Theory, or even Logan Paul may appear to help Gunther attack Cody Rhodes.
A big assault segment would instantly raise the tension between both stars and make their upcoming title match feel even more personal.
WWE has often used these kinds of moments to build major premium live events, so tonight could be the perfect time for Gunther to take control of the rivalry.
CM Punk Could Stand Beside Cody Rhodes
Another interesting possibility is CM Punk appearing to support Cody Rhodes.
The RAW after WrestleMania already teased future tension between Punk and Rhodes when both stars had a face-to-face moment. Punk made it very clear that he still wants another world title opportunity.
Because Gunther could have several people backing him, Rhodes may need an ally of his own. CM Punk stepping in tonight would immediately create excitement among fans.
At the same time, WWE could slowly begin building a future feud between Rhodes and Punk for the championship. The company loves long-term storytelling, and a short alliance before a future rivalry would make complete sense.
Fans have wanted to see both stars compete against each other for a long time, and tonight’s SmackDown could quietly start that journey.
Randy Orton Could Shock Everyone Again
The biggest surprise of the night could be Randy Orton finally returning to WWE television.
Orton has been missing since WrestleMania after his violent rivalry with Cody Rhodes. Their feud became extremely personal after Orton attacked Rhodes with a brutal Punt Kick following their championship match.
Interestingly, this week’s venue reportedly advertised The Viper earlier this year, which has increased rumors about his possible comeback.
If Orton appears tonight, he could once again target Cody Rhodes and restart their heated rivalry. WWE may also use this return to set up another match between both stars at Night of Champions.
Even without the championship involved, Orton vs Rhodes remains one of WWE’s strongest rivalries right now. Fans are still invested in the story, and another RKO out of nowhere could easily become the biggest moment of SmackDown tonight.
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