After attacking the champion on last week’s episode, GUNTHER is officially a member of the “WWE SmackDown” roster as of this week, and he’s also seemingly set to take on Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes at Clash in Italy on May 31. It was revealed on Friday’s edition of the blue brand that Paul Heyman, who owed GUNTHER a favor after GUNTHER took on, and defeated, Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 42, set up the match and the “Ring General’s” move to Friday nights.

GUNTHER met General Manager Nick Aldis and Heyman in Aldis’ office, where Aldis handed him a contract. Before GUNTHER could sign, Rhodes’ music hit, and Heyman went out to meet the “American Nightmare,” contract in hand. Heyman explained that it’s a contract for a title match, just not in Jacksonville, Florida for “SmackDown.” He said it was for a match at Clash in Italy.

Heyman explained he’s not an advocate for GUNTHER, he just owed him a favor, and that was it. The favor was only to set up the match, however, and Rhodes will need to get the signature from GUNTHER himself. Rhodes asked if Heyman was out of options, with Brock Lesnar retired and Roman Reigns and CM Punk wanting nothing to do with him.

The former “Wiseman” said it wasn’t him running out of options, and GUNTHER slid in the ring to attack Rhodes. The segment ended with the men staring each other down, GUNTHER outside of the ring, with the contract for the match not yet officially signed.

Of all the major UFC events that are taking place in 2026, none of them are as big as UFC Freedom 250. The event will take place on The White House lawn on June 14, with the President of the United States, Donald Trump, getting a front row seat to the entire event. Like every UFC event, the main fighters on the card have been promoting the event, and one of their stops was none other than The Oval Office itself.

Gearing up for battle on the South Lawn. 👊🇺🇸

President Trump meets with Alex Pereira, Ilia Topuria, Justin Gaethje and Ciryl Gane in the Oval Office ahead of their fights at UFC Freedom 250 in June. pic.twitter.com/DsPcYiGM1o

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 6, 2026

Ilia Topuria, Justin Gaethje, Alex Pereira, and Cyril Gane, the four men who will be fighting over UFC gold on June 14 were invited to The White House by President Trump to promote the event, with the UFC making a custom American belt to commemorate the occasion. Trump spoke with the Associated Press to promote the event, stating that it will be a once in a lifetime event that will never be seen again. “We’re having a big fight, it’s never going to happen again, never happened before, and it’s all of the best four fighters standing right behind me [who are] all champions.”

Gaethje also spoke as the only American fighter involved in the two title fights at the event, thanking Trump for his involvement in the UFC becoming the success it is today. For as controversial as Trump is as a public figure, he is very important to the history of the UFC as he allowed the company to host it’s earliest events after Zuffa bought the company in 2001 in the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Please credit the original source when using quotes from this article, and give a H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

Tiffany Stratton retained the Women’s U.S. title over Kiana James in her first title defense on “SmackDown.”

Before the match, Chelsea Green recorded a video of support for Stratton. Green is recovering from a heart procedure. They started out by exchanging side headlocks. Stratton did a handspring and followed with a clothesline. James kicked the side of Stratton’s head before pulling her leg into the ringpost & then slamming her leg into it the opposite way.

James cinched in a single leg crab until Stratton was forced to roll to the outside. Stratton laid in blows and landed a handspring stunner and a dropkick. James connected with a big boot and a Death Valley Driver. James punched her in the head over and over before shoulder tackling her. Stratton sent James into the ringpost. James rolled her up, but Giulia had the ref distracted. Stratton landed Prettiest Moonsault for the win.

After the match, Giulia tried to apologize to Kiana, but she wasn’t having it. Giulia lost the title to Stratton two weeks ago after a reign of 112 days.

WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash often has a pessimistic view of his former company, and the professional wrestling business overall, oftentimes giving reason, such as his recent experience at the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony where he inducted fellow nWo member Dennis Rodman. There are some aspects of wrestling that he still enjoys, however.

On an episode of his “Kliq This” podcast, as he and co-host Sean Oliver were discussing WWE revenue over the years, Nash brought up a recent Danhausen skit from the WWE WrestleMania 42 build. He said that one year, revenue was up for the company thanks to “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, but mentioned, “as Danhausen would say, ‘Cold Stone.'”

“I love it. It’s the best thing in wrestling,” Nash said, then questioned “why” the gimmick “has to run its course.” “It’s one of the few things that absolutely, 100 percent amuses me.”

Danhausen made his WWE debut at Elimination Chamber in February after weeks of rumors surrounding a crate that had been shipped between “WWE Raw” and “WWE SmackDown.” After his initial debut fell flat with fans in Chicago’s United Center, fans, especially those on social media, have come around to the “Very Nice, Very Evil” one, to the point he was one of the top three merchandise sellers at WrestleMania 42, behind CM Punk and Cody Rhodes.

He even got his own WrestleMania moment alongside John Cena, when he and the “Littlehausens” confronted The Miz and Kit Wilson in the ring. Danhausen has, so far, only wrestled two matches in WWE, with his third to come alongside a mystery partner against Miz and Wilson at Backlash.

If you use any quotes from this article, please credit “Kliq This” and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.