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00:27Ladies and gentlemen, they ring a general.
00:30The career killer, Gunther, who is revered throughout Europe from his time on the independent
00:36scene to his rise in the WWE, his first recorded match in Bern in nearby Switzerland over
00:44two decades ago.
00:46And tonight, for the first time in his career, battles for the undisputed WWE Championship.
01:06Gunther, of course, from Austria, a country bordering Italy, as we welcome you to ringside.
01:11Here tonight, ladies and gentlemen, Michael Cole, Corey Graves.
01:15Corey, what an electric atmosphere.
01:16You can say that again.
01:18I had the pleasure of calling AAA last night in Monterey, Mexico, one of the loudest crowds
01:22I've ever experienced.
01:23Sounds to me like Italy got the memo.
01:25They're going to give Mexico a run for their money.
01:26Well, these fans are starved.
01:28This is the first ever premium live event in the history of Italy.
01:31And if you're watching at home here in Italia, you are watching for the very first time a
01:36PLE in Italy live on Netflix.
01:40Our Italian commentators joining us here tonight.
01:42Luca Franchini, Michele Posa.
01:44Hi, guys.
02:00That was pretty good, Cole.
02:02We're going to get you a Vespa next.
02:05We're going to get you a Vespa next.
02:42We're going to get you a Vespa next.
03:04We're going to get you a Vespa next.
03:20We'll see you a Vespa next.
03:22We'll see you a Vespa next.
03:27We'll see you a Vespa next.
03:30We'll see you next time.
03:33To the end, I am a teenager.
03:36The words go down, I'm ready now.
03:39Damn this roof up for the town.
03:42Gonna give them what they came to see.
03:48Hear the crowd on the floor.
03:51Letting for me to stop the show.
03:54As the dead is like the world.
03:57Whoa.
03:58Whoa.
04:00Whoa.
04:01My heart's dead.
04:04When I'm a teenager.
04:07I got revenge and a pain.
04:11Yeah.
04:12You took it all away.
04:14I gave it all away.
04:16You killed my fate.
04:18You killed my fate.
04:22I killed my kingdom.
04:47Cody Rhodes versus Gunther is brought to you by Scary Movie.
04:51Every line will be crossed.
04:53Don't miss it.
04:54Only in theaters this Friday.
04:56Get your tickets now.
04:58And now let's head up to our ring-it-out.
04:59So the great Alicia Taylor.
05:04The following contest is scheduled for one call.
05:10And he's for the undisputed WWE Championship.
05:23Introducing the challenger from Vienna, Austria.
05:29Wearing in her 250 pounds.
05:35The ring general, Gunther.
05:44And his opponent, from Atlanta, Georgia, weighing in at 222 pounds.
05:55He is the undisputed WWE Champion.
06:02The American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes.
06:17QB1, Cody Rhodes of WWE told Corey and I earlier today that he wasn't sure what the atmosphere was going
06:23to be like tonight.
06:24Was he walking in to an away game or a home game here tonight?
06:28Judging by the response by the crowd here in Italy, this is home territory.
06:33Home turf for QB1.
06:36Italy firmly behind the American Nightmare.
06:39For the first time ever, a world championship defended on TV here in Italy.
06:49The bell rings and we are underway.
06:52This is the second time these two have gone one-on-one in their career.
06:56Back in November of 2024, Cody Rhodes defeating Gunther in Saudi Arabia to win the crown jewel championship.
07:03Does that come into play tonight?
07:05I don't believe it will since the bell has rung.
07:08I believe in the lead-up to this match, Gunther thought about it.
07:10Gunther has obsessed about it.
07:12It was a blemish on an otherwise nearly perfect record for the ring general.
07:16Gunther wants to avenge that tonight and take Cody's gold in the process.
07:27And Cody Rhodes offering a clean break into a somersault.
07:32And our official in this championship match is Dan Engler tonight.
07:36For Gunther, how do you win the title from Cody Rhodes?
07:39Patience.
07:39Nobody feeds off of the WWE crowd quite like Cody Rhodes does.
07:44If Gunther can wait out the American Nightmare, hope for Cody to make a mistake.
07:48Even the tiniest of errors, Gunther can and will capitalize on.
07:57In the interview in the countdown show, Gunther admitted that this is a grudge match tonight.
08:01Not only the win by Cody at crown jewel, but the fact that over two Royal Rumbles, Gunther
08:05was eliminated by Cody Rhodes back in 2023 and 2024 as Cody would go on to win that event.
08:12Now, if you're Cody Rhodes, how do you beat Gunther tonight?
08:15Cody's had a lot on his mind as of late as it comes to his, well, I guess former friend
08:19now,
08:19Sami Zayn, oh, what a shot.
08:21Well, I believe Cody needs to show Gunther something entirely different.
08:25And if Cody has made the mistake of allowing Sami Zayn to creep into his mind tonight,
08:30this may be his last night as an undisputed WWE champion.
08:33Cody needs to focus on one thing and one thing alone, the ring general.
08:37And Cody dropped down, kicked the midsection.
08:38And there is that pop-up right hand by Cody Rhodes off the second round.
08:43Oh, the Cody cutter, and he ran into a big chop.
08:46And that illustrated my point perfectly.
08:48I don't know if anyone has as high of an in-ring IQ as Gunther.
08:53Gunther studies film.
08:55Gunther remembers what he experiences inside of the ropes.
08:58He is maybe the most complete athlete in WWE.
09:00Yeah, Cody Rhodes in his first title event since winning the championship in WrestleMania.
09:06And look at Gunther now, the chop, driving the champion to the mat.
09:10Cover now by Gunther, kick out by Rhodes.
09:12Now, you noticed in the entrance, Cody was wearing that helmet, that mask.
09:15The left eye was ripped out.
09:17That was to remind everyone of what Randy Orton did to Cody Rhodes after the WrestleMania matchup.
09:22And the punch to the face, injuring Cody's eye.
09:24Now, something inside of the American Nightmare changed that night.
09:28It was forced by Randy Orton, but Cody Rhodes will tell you himself.
09:32Something inside snapped.
09:34Something broke.
09:35Something changed completely.
09:36This is a different American Nightmare than we saw in the lead-up to WrestleMania this year.
09:40Cody ripped across the ring with authority.
09:42And the career killer, Gunther, who has ended the careers of Goldberg and AJ Styles
09:46and the great John Cena over the past year, looks to take out Rhodes tonight.
09:51But Cody Rhodes has been very open that he aims to follow in the, quote-unquote,
09:55John Cena blueprint here in WWE.
09:58I don't think Cody intends to follow the finale of Cena's career.
10:04Gunther, looking for the sleeper hold.
10:06Rhodes able to shrug it off.
10:08And Gunther now, Cody Rhodes knocked down.
10:10You know, I mentioned earlier, first time in a televised event in Italy
10:14that the WWE Championship has been defended.
10:17Also tonight, the first time on ESPN, what the title's been up for grabs.
10:22Well, just as Cody Rhodes was able to escape the clutches of the ring general,
10:26Gunther connects with a massive boot right to the jaw of the champion.
10:34It is appropriate that these two men are the last King of the Ring tournament winners.
10:412024, Gunther, Cody Rhodes, last year, King of the Ring tournament
10:45and the Queen of the Ring tournament start tomorrow night on Monday Night Raw here live.
10:50And Turin, as Gunther delivers a shoulder tackle to Rhodes,
10:54he continues to work on the midsection of the arm of Cody.
10:56Which you'll never see out of Gunther in the midst of a match
10:59is the ring general being shaken.
11:01He is calculated, borderline emotionless.
11:04Gunther is a professional wrestling machine.
11:08You know, they talked about it on the Countdown show,
11:10the fact that the last time Cody defended a title here in Europe,
11:14he lost to Drew McIntyre earlier this year.
11:17Cody Rhodes wants to make sure that history does not repeat itself tonight.
11:22Gunther staggered for the moment.
11:24Up and over goes the American Nightmare!
11:25And there's a power slam by Cody.
11:32This place is rocking!
11:40Cody now with a quick jab to the ring general.
11:44Just like that he used to do.
11:46The old bionic elbow from Cody to Gunther.
11:49Now looking to lock him up.
11:52Face first!
11:53Pedigree!
11:54Off the pedigree!
11:55By Rhodes!
11:56And a kick out by Gunther.
11:58And again, Cody Rhodes going to pull out all the tricks,
12:00as you mentioned here tonight.
12:01Cody understands the task at hand.
12:03Cody understands the assignment.
12:04He knows full well how lethal Gunther is capable of being.
12:15Gunther starved for another world title.
12:18He's won two in his career.
12:21666 days.
12:23The record is the Intercontinental Champion.
12:25Over 800 days is the NXT UK Champion.
12:28Cody going to roll through.
12:29But there's that monster dropkick by Gunther.
12:33And now Gunther looking for the powerbomb.
12:36To put the champion away.
12:39Stacks him off for the title.
12:41Cody at two gets the shoulder up.
12:43And that's what Cody's got to avoid tonight.
12:45No doubt about it.
12:46And expect Gunther to continue the onslaught
12:49after a thunderous powerbomb.
12:52Center of the ring.
12:53Stack the shoulders.
12:54But the nightmare with a little too much left in the tank.
12:57Over 12,000 tonight sold out here in Turin, Italy.
13:02Went for the front smash.
13:04Cody got his knees up.
13:06And now the champion.
13:07Springboard off the second rope.
13:09Hitting a disaster kick by Rhodes.
13:13And Cody now, from behind,
13:15looking for a quick crossroads.
13:17To Gunther.
13:18Looking to retain.
13:19Hook to the leg.
13:21Gunther kicks out at two and here fall.
13:23Ball.
13:27Perhaps a bit early in this match
13:29to expect to put Gunther away so quickly.
13:32Yeah, Cody doesn't appear to be too badly shaken
13:35after landing his bread and butter
13:38and having Gunther kick out.
13:41Cody understands there's more work to be done.
13:43And Rhodes was fully aware of the work required
13:46to get past the ring general.
13:48We are so glad that he took the opportunity
13:50to join us this afternoon in the States
13:52the late morning on the West Coast
13:54on ESPN and, of course, internationally
13:56on Netflix.
13:58WWE Championship kicking off the show tonight.
14:00Cody Rhodes going to head up to the top rope.
14:03Looking for it.
14:03And he got caught in the sleeper.
14:06Gunther caught Rhodes in the sleeper.
14:07Great counter by Rhodes.
14:09Turned it into a pinning combination.
14:10But again, into the sleeper for Gunther.
14:12And this is what Cody had to avoid.
14:15Rhodes is trapped.
14:17We saw Cody utilize the reversal moments ago.
14:19That was how he defeated Gunther
14:21in the King of the Ring final.
14:22Yeah, Styles about this.
14:24Ask Cena about this.
14:25Gunther now for the sleeper locked in.
14:28And the American Nightmare looks like he's starting to fade.
14:34And Gunther, his full body weight on Cody Rhodes.
14:39Cody's got nowhere to go here.
14:43Desperate times for the champion.
14:49Gunther now wrestling Cody back toward the ring.
14:51Cody trying to somehow hang on here,
14:52but Gunther's got it locked in.
14:53It looks to me like Cody's managed to slip his chin
14:56in between the arm of the ring general,
14:58which may be the only reason Rhodes is conscious at this point.
15:01But Gunther now just continuing to squeeze.
15:04This is agonizing on your jaw if you're Cody Rhodes.
15:06Cody now back to a vertical base with Gunther on his back.
15:10Rhodes now.
15:11That will create space for Cody Rhodes.
15:14But no!
15:14Gunther right back up into the sleeper.
15:16The relentless attack by Gunther.
15:19Now the well-placed elbow to the champion.
15:22And Gunther again has it locked in.
15:24Cody may be out.
15:25Cody's in the middle of the ring.
15:27Gunther's got his legs and arms wrapped around the champion.
15:29That boa constrictor-like grip of the ring general.
15:34And Cody could be fading.
15:37And what a nightmare this would be for Rhodes.
15:44Rhodes gasping for air.
15:47Opening his eyes.
15:48Perhaps one last gasp.
15:54But perhaps not.
15:58The WWE fans trying to.
16:02Will Cody on.
16:03Cody got his foot on the bottom rope.
16:06And that will force a break.
16:10Much to the chagrin of the ring general.
16:17That's got to be so frustrating, Corey, for that man.
16:21I'm sure to an extent it is frustrating for Gunther.
16:24But Gunther has also spent the majority of his time in this matchup delivering offense.
16:29Yes, that will exhaust you.
16:30But Gunther still seems to have plenty left in the tank.
16:33Whereas Cody Rhodes seems to be running on empty.
16:40And I wonder what's going through the mind of Gunther as Cody tries to recover.
16:45I think Gunther's simply surveying the situation right now.
16:48He approaches all of his offense with surgical precision.
16:51Gunther's trying to solve the American nightmare.
16:54Just taking a moment to look at the big picture.
16:56The man who spent weeks jockeying before signing this contract.
17:00In fact, had to beat Royce Keys to earn this opportunity here tonight against Cody Rhodes.
17:05Was all that contract jockeying worth it?
17:09I'll give you an answer when this matchup is over.
17:11But I understand why Gunther did it.
17:13It was psychological warfare.
17:15Trying to make the champion wait.
17:17Gunther declaring to Cody Rhodes.
17:18I'm worth waiting for.
17:19Because when I get there, I'm taking what's yours.
17:22And the chock's just seen him.
17:24Could fire Cody up.
17:26Oh, a clothesline.
17:27Almost knocked his head off.
17:29And Cody with a clothesline of his own.
17:32Both men still on their feet.
17:36Rhodes trying to chop down the ring general.
17:38Oh, what a clothesline.
17:40Turns the champ inside out.
17:42And Gunther says that's it.
17:44Says he's closing in.
17:45Cody Rhodes ducks underneath.
17:48Went for the Cody cutter.
17:49And again, look for the sleeper side.
17:50Headlocked Cody with a sleeper on his own.
17:52Sleeper locked in now by Cody.
17:53Gunther able to create space.
17:55Cody cutter.
17:59Cody back to his feet.
18:02And a clothesline by the champion.
18:05Knocks Gunther down.
18:07And Gunther not used to being on the receiving end of those clotheslines.
18:12Rhodes has been able to tap in what took him to the top of the box.
18:15Crossroads again.
18:17Crossroads again by Cody.
18:19Here's the cover.
18:20Hook to the leg.
18:21And he got it.
18:23Cody Rhodes got it.
18:25Cody Rhodes retains the title.
18:27Here is your winner.
18:28And still the undesputed WWE champion.
18:35The American Nightmare.
18:38Cody Rhodes.
18:42The win belongs to the American Nightmare.
18:45But Gunther immediately began protesting.
18:49I'd love to get another look.
18:51Perhaps a different angle.
18:54Jeffrey Dan Engler was right there to make the call.
18:57Something obviously happened at the end of that matchup.
18:59Because Gunther is extremely upset.
19:04Take a look at the closing moments of this one.
19:07Gunther tried on multiple occasions to avoid it.
19:10But Rhodes delivering the Cody cutter.
19:14Which was the prelude to the crossroads.
19:18This is what I want to get a look at.
19:19Pay attention to the ring positioning of the ring general.
19:23Rhodes with the crossroads.
19:26Well this is the angle we just saw, Corey.
19:29And back again.
19:30I can't tell decisively.
19:32But it looks like at the beginning of the count.
19:33Here's the other angle.
19:35Gunther's foot may have been under the bottom rope.
19:39Let's see if we can see it here.
19:40And it clearly, clearly his foot was under the bottom rope.
19:43Which means the official, you never should have started.
19:45You're right.
19:46And Dan Engler's spot.
19:47His call is going to stand.
19:49He's got the authority.
19:50But I personally don't believe Engler should have even began the count.
19:54I have to imagine that's Gunther's argument as well.
19:57Well that is the rule.
19:58If your foot's underneath the bottom rope, you cannot begin the count.
20:03But nonetheless, the referee's decision is final.
20:06Cody Rhodes is going to leave here tonight.
20:07As the under-speeded WWE Champion.
20:10Despite the protest from the ring general.
20:18A hell of a match.
20:19No doubt about it.
20:21What a way to kick off Clash in Italy.
20:28Well ladies and gentlemen, Monday Night Raw.
20:31You can try.
20:31I spot your weapon in a cell phone.
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