The May 1 episode of WWE SmackDown closed with a clear statement from GUNTHER, as he set his sights on the top prize in WWE following a post-match attack on Cody Rhodes.

Rhodes competed in a non-title match against Ricky Saints, who made his official debut on the blue brand. Saints pushed the Undisputed WWE Champion in a competitive bout, but Rhodes ultimately secured the victory.

GUNTHER Attacks Cody Rhodes After Match

Rhodes’ celebration was short-lived. Moments after the match, GUNTHER struck from behind, taking the champion down and applying a chokehold to leave him laid out in the ring.

After the attack, GUNTHER picked up the Undisputed WWE Championship and stared at it, making his intentions clear without saying a word. The visual alone signaled that he is positioning himself for a run at the title.

Clear Direction Toward the Top

The segment established GUNTHER as a potential challenger moving forward. Following his WrestleMania match against Seth Rollins, there had been questions about his next step. This moment provided a direct answer.

Rather than moving into a secondary role, GUNTHER appears focused on returning to the top of the roster. The attack on Rhodes places him immediately into the title picture.

With Rhodes coming off a hard-fought match and GUNTHER making a decisive move afterward, the angle adds another layer to SmackDown’s main event scene.

The message was simple and effective. GUNTHER is back in the hunt, and the Undisputed WWE Championship is clearly his target.

GUNTHER Chokes Cody Rhodes, Targets Undisputed WWE Title

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