Gunther defeats Cody Rhodes after the Sami Zayn match on WWE SmackDown

Sami Zayn vs. Cody Rhodes Highlights SmackDown in Lexington

Fans in Lexington, Kentucky, witnessed an electrifying match between Sami Zayn and Cody Rhodes on Friday night during “SmackDown.” This showdown had the makings of a main event, showcasing two top WWE stars.

The match was a result of Zayn’s ongoing frustration about being sidelined and feeling neglected in the lineup. After expressing his grievances to SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis, Zayn’s frustrations caught the attention of Rhodes, who, in a somewhat dismissive manner, referred to him as “Golden Boy.” That didn’t sit well with Zayn, and thus the match was set.

Rhodes approached the fight wary of a possible ambush from Gunther, his upcoming opponent at Clash in Italy. Their rivalry has intensified lately, particularly after Paul Heyman aided Gunther in securing a shot at the Undisputed WWE Championship.

Zayn, eager for a showdown, went in ready to fight—and he indeed emerged victorious.

In the early stages, both wrestlers exchanged blows, testing each other’s limits. Rhodes aimed to wrap things up quickly, attempting a Cody Cutter or Disaster Kick, but Zayn intercepted him and slammed him down. He then focused his assault on Rhodes’ left knee.

As the match went on, Zayn remained relentless, targeting Rhodes’ knee. But Rhodes battled through the pain, surprising everyone with a sudden Cody Cutter. Zayn, however, wasn’t out for long; he managed to flip Rhodes onto the apron, following it up by knocking him onto the announce table.

Rhodes, breaking the count, rushed back into the ring just in time. Zayn aimed for a helluva kick but missed, only to see Rhodes fight back with another Cody Cutter, getting a close two-count. Zayn attempted a Blue Thunder Bomb, but Rhodes thwarted that plan as well.

The back and forth continued until Rhodes tried to maneuver Zayn into a crossroads. At that moment, Gunther appeared, putting Zayn in a sleeper hold unnoticed by the referee. Rhodes dodged the interference, and Zayn retaliated by slamming Gunther out of the ring. Then, in a moment of surprise, Rhodes executed the Crossroads on a distracted Zayn.

Gunther returned to wreak havoc, attacking Rhodes, while Zayn looked on, seemingly unconcerned. However, he ultimately turned his back on Rhodes, walking away as chaos ensued.

Rhea Ripley’s Challenge for a Rematch

Meanwhile, Rhea Ripley addressed her desire to reclaim the WWE Women’s Championship after her WrestleMania loss to Jade Cargill. She expressed her anticipation for a rematch during her segment on SmackDown.

Ripley faced off against Cargill, Michin, and B-Fab, highlighting that their message only left her disappointed. “Now that I’m back, I’m itching to fight,” Ripley declared. She challenged Cargill to a rematch during the upcoming Clash of Italy event.

Cargill, alongside her crew, seemed to accept the challenge, taking action later by attacking Ripley and Charlotte Flair following their tag team match. Flair and Bliss later joined Ripley, reminding her of the importance of staying focused amid the turmoil.