Should Cody Rhodes Drop WWE Title to Gunther at Clash in Italy

Cody Rhodes walks into the Clash in Italy main event as the face of SmackDown and the reigning Undisputed WWE Champion.

The matchup with Gunther is official, and the stakes are clear. What remains uncertain is whether WWE should pivot its championship direction now.

The question is not about momentum alone. It is about long-term positioning. Rhodes’ title reign has stabilized the SmackDown championship picture, but Gunther represents a different kind of future.

Gunther’s SmackDown push changes the equation

Gunther’s recent elevation on SmackDown signals serious intent. He is no longer positioned as just a dominant former Intercontinental Champion. He is framed as a credible world title threat, and the company has emphasized his presence in the Clash in Italy main event.

From a booking standpoint, a Gunther world title opportunity at a major international premium live event makes strategic sense. WWE has expanded its European footprint, and a title change in Turin would send a strong message about global positioning.

It would also immediately reshape the SmackDown championship picture.

Still, ending the Cody Rhodes title reign too quickly carries risk. Rhodes remains one of the promotion’s most consistent headline figures. His Undisputed WWE Championship future is tied to broader storytelling, including potential rivalries later in the year.

There is also the question of momentum. Gunther’s aura is built on dominance and discipline. A loss in a high-profile setting could slow his push. Yet a premature title switch could interrupt Rhodes’ long-term arc.

WWE booking plans often balance credibility with timing. If the goal is to establish Gunther as the next cornerstone champion, Clash in Italy presents a logical moment. If the goal is sustained storytelling, Rhodes retaining may preserve flexibility.

The Undisputed WWE Championship future depends on what creative values more right now: stability or evolution. Gunther winning would instantly refresh SmackDown and create new challengers.

Rhodes retaining would reinforce continuity and maintain narrative control.

At this stage, the safer move appears to be patience. A Gunther victory may ultimately feel inevitable. The question is whether Italy is the right moment or merely the first chapter in a longer build.