Cody Rhodes books himself triple-threat title match for Night of Champions after frustrating 'SmackDown'

Ask and you shall receive, Cody Rhodes.

The undisputed WWE champion demanded that SmackDown wide manager Nick Aldis enactment him successful a lucifer astatine Night of Champions against Gunther and Sami Zayn successful hopes of dispatching each challenger and wholly nixing their complaints altogether.

The lucifer was made and present Rhodes volition support the rubric against the 2 thorns that person been successful his broadside since earlier Clash successful Italy took place. But each that occurred aft the absurdity that took spot to commencement "Friday Night SmackDown."

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Cody Rhodes enters the ringing astatine T-Mobile Center successful Kansas City, Missouri, connected June 19, 2026. (Kevin Sabitus/WWE)

Zayn was the impermanent referee, astatine Gunther’s behest, for Gunther’s Undisputed WWE Championship lucifer against Rhodes. Zayn, according to him, was calling the lucifer close down the middle. He pulled Gunther disconnected Rhodes to interruption up a submission clasp and got crushed for it.

Gunther powerbombed Rhodes and stacked him up connected the pin attempt. After a caller referee came down to assistance with the match, helium was the 1 counting the pin. But Zayn pulled him retired of the ring. Gunther was irate. Rhodes tried to sunset flip Gunther from the apron but couldn’t propulsion him down. Zayn kicked Gunther’s hands disconnected the rope, allowing Rhodes to pin him. Zayn counted rapidly and helped Rhodes clasp the title.

Zayn and Aldis argued into Gorilla Position. Gunther wanted a caller lucifer and took retired Zayn. Rhodes, successful the ring, demanded a caller match. They each got one. However, Zayn wouldn’t fto it happen. Zayn deed Gunther with the rubric loop and forced a disqualification. Zayn, then, maybe, accidentally took retired Rhodes with the loop arsenic well.

Aldis was upset with Zayn’s call. But Zayn reminded Aldis that it was him who wanted Zayn to beryllium the referee. Zayn maintained helium called the lucifer just earlier Gunther enactment his hands connected him. He said that Rhodes should beryllium "thanking" him due to the fact that he’s inactive the champion.

It each led to Rhodes going to Aldis and demanding the triple-threat lucifer for Night of Champions.

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King and Queen of the Ring finals determined

Jey Uso competes against Je'Von Evans astatine the T-Mobile Center successful Kansas City, Missouri, connected June 19, 2026. (Rich Wade/WWE)

Jey Uso and Je’Von Evans exchanged words successful the backmost for their lucifer connected "SmackDown." Uso was the wily veteran, a erstwhile satellite heavyweight champion, looking to get backmost into the rubric picture. Evans was the undaunted rookie trying to marque a sanction for himself.

The 2 clashed for a spot successful the King of the Ring finals and a accidental to instrumentality connected Oba Femi astatine Night of Champions with a title accidental connected the line. Uso didn’t person immoderate assistance from The Bloodline oregon Solo Sikoa arsenic helium took location the victory.

In the Queen of the Ring semifinals, Liv Morgan took connected Charlotte Flair. But it was Jade Cargill and her allies, Michin and B-Fab, who acceptable the edge. The Cargill radical attacked Flair’s banged up genu earlier the match, giving Morgan the advantage.

Morgan focused connected Flair’s knee. She deed the Oblivion connected Flair but couldn’t get the pinfall. She past enactment Flair successful a half-Boston crab. Flair tapped retired and Morgan would beforehand to the Queen of the Ring final.

Morgan volition instrumentality connected Iyo Sky with a rubric accidental connected the line. Morgan is already the women’s satellite champion and her triumph enactment her 1 measurement person to perchance challenging Rhea Ripley for the WWE Women’s Championship.

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SmackDown lucifer results:

Liv Morgan celebrates astatine T-Mobile Center successful Kansas City, Mo., connected June 19, 2026. (Kevin Sabitus/WWE)

Cody Rhodes (c) def. Gunther to clasp the Undisputed WWE Championship.

Gunther def. Cody Rhodes via DQ.

Damian Priest and R-Truth (c) def. Talla Tonga and Tama Tonga to clasp the WWE Tag Team Championship.

Ricky Saints def. Carmelo Hayes to gain No. 1 contender spot for the United States Championship.

Jey Uso def. Je’Von Evans successful the King of the Ring Tournament.

Liv Morgan def. Charlotte Flair successful the Queen of the Ring Tournament.