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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A major shift took place on the May 1 episode of WWE SmackDown in Tulsa, as Jacy Jayne scored a high-profile victory over Charlotte Flair in just her second match since joining the blue brand.

The result marked a significant moment for Jayne, who stepped into the ring against one of WWE’s most accomplished competitors and left with a win that could impact the direction of the women’s division.

Jacy Jayne Breakthrough Win Changes Momentum

Flair controlled much of the early action, relying on her experience and technical ability to dictate the pace. Jayne, however, remained composed and competitive, countering key moments and showing she could keep up under pressure.

As the match progressed, outside interference became a factor. Jayne’s Fatal Influence stablemates, Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid, created distractions at critical points. Even when Flair applied the Figure Four, the interference prevented her from fully capitalizing.

Jayne took advantage of the opening, connecting with a rolling elbow that led to the pinfall. The victory stands as a major milestone, especially given Flair’s status as a multi-time champion.

Post-Match Chaos and Rhea Ripley’s Return

After the match, Fatal Influence continued their attack on Flair, extending the moment beyond the bell. The situation escalated until Rhea Ripley arrived to stop the assault, shifting attention and bringing the segment to a close.

While the finish may be debated due to the interference, the outcome is clear. Jayne defeated Flair on SmackDown, and that result alone carries weight.

Momentum often plays a key role in WWE, and this win positions Jayne as a rising name to watch. Whether it leads to sustained success or remains a single standout moment will depend on what follows in the coming weeks.

For now, Jayne has made an impact — not by easing into the division, but by stepping directly into the spotlight.

Jacy Jayne Defeats Charlotte Flair in Breakthrough SmackDown Win

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Ricky Saints made his official debut on WWE SmackDown during the May 1 episode, immediately stepping into a high-profile segment with Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes.

The show opened with Rhodes addressing the crowd and confirming that he has been medically cleared to return to in-ring competition. Moments later, he was interrupted by Ricky Saints, who wasted no time introducing himself to the WWE audience.

Ricky Saints SmackDown Debut Sparks Immediate Impact

Saints addressed the crowd with confidence, declaring himself a major addition to the blue brand.

“They boo what they don’t understand,” Saints said before introducing himself. “I’m the hottest, newest, flyest free agent in the business. If you don’t know about me, you better ask about me. I’m everything your baby mama wishes you were.”

He made it clear that his arrival was not random, referencing his history with Rhodes and stating that a shift is coming to WWE.

“There’s a change in the air — a revolution — and the man leading it is me. It has always been me. I am the man.”

Confrontation with Cody Rhodes

Rhodes responded by welcoming Saints but acknowledged the boldness of the moment. He questioned what made this encounter different from their past interactions.

Saints pointed directly at Rhodes’ current condition as the answer.

“You’re the difference. I’m standing in front of a man with staples in his head and a busted eye. Those title reigns have aged you thirty years. I might be wrong about the number, but I stood in the background and congratulated you for milestone after milestone, even when it hurt my own career. Now I’m here to relieve you of your duties.”

Rhodes quickly accepted the challenge, reminding the Tulsa crowd that he had just been cleared to compete. He suggested they settle things in the ring that same night.

The two shook hands, setting the stage for a match. However, as Saints began to leave, he stopped and delivered one final message.

“I didn’t come out here to make a statement — I came out to change who this show is about.”

With that, Saints established his intentions clearly. His debut was not just an introduction, but a direct move toward the top of the SmackDown roster.

Ricky Saints SmackDown Debut

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Ash By Elegance has shared a new update on her health, revealing that she is set to undergo surgery following an ongoing medical situation that previously forced her out of in-ring competition.

The TNA star, Ash By Elegance, posted a photo from a hospital on social media along with a brief message before the procedure.

“Surgery time! Prayers up! Adds to my story I will share & hopefully help others going through what I am! Trust me you are not alone!” she wrote.

Ash By Elegance Surgery Update

This latest development comes after Elegance was forced to step away from competition due to health concerns that she has described as a “medical mystery.” The issue previously led to her vacating the TNA Knockouts Championship at Victory Road 2025 and announcing a temporary retirement.

While she has been open about dealing with health complications, the exact nature of the condition has not been publicly disclosed.

Despite the challenges, Elegance made a return to action earlier this year. She competed on the January 23 episode of TNA iMPACT in a tag team match, reuniting The Elegance Brand against The Angel Warriors.

She also stepped back into the ring at TNA Rebellion last month, showing signs of progress before this latest update.

At this stage, there is no confirmed timeline for recovery or a potential return to competition. Her message focused on the procedure ahead and the broader goal of sharing her experience to help others facing similar situations.

The situation remains uncertain, but her update has drawn support from fans and the wrestling community as she prepares to undergo surgery.

Ash By Elegance Undergoing Surgery

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