Add as a preferred source on Google Gunther could have a very favorable crowd behind him when he faces Cody Rhodes at Clash in Italy, despite being positioned as a heel on WWE programming.
The Ring General will challenge Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship on Sunday, May 31, at the Inalpi Arena in Turin, Italy. In the United States, the premium live event will stream at 2 PM ET/11 AM PT on the ESPN App for ESPN Unlimited subscribers.
During a recent interview with the Italian Wrestling Channel, Gunther was asked about potentially receiving a babyface reaction from the European crowd. The Austrian said it does not bother him and could even make the match more interesting.
“We’re in Europe, that’s my home turf. It could feel like an away game for Cody.”
Gunther On Possibly Getting A Babyface Reaction In Italy: 'We're In Europe, That's My Home Turf,' Says It Could Feel Like An Away Game For Cody Rhodes https://t.co/0tziekYGsp
— Fightful Wrestling (@Fightful) May 24, 2026
WWE made Rhodes vs. Gunther official after weeks of tension on SmackDown. Gunther attacked Cody on the May 1 episode, refused to sign the contract on the champion’s terms, and later defeated Royce Keys to secure the title opportunity.
Clash in Italy will also be WWE’s first premium live event held in Italy, which only increases the chances of Gunther getting a different reaction than usual.
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For now, Cody remains the emotional favorite on weekly TV. In Turin, however, The American Nightmare may find himself in a very different environment from the one he is used to in the United States.