Add as a preferred source on Google Royce Keys suffered his first singles loss since arriving in WWE this week. In the main event of Friday Night SmackDown, the former Powerhouse Hobbs was defeated by Gunther in a match with a shot at Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship at Clash In Italy on the line.
The situation started when Gunther once again hesitated to sign the contract for the match against Rhodes. Keys then appeared and offered to sign in his place, leading Nick Aldis to rule that the opportunity would be up for grabs later that night.
In the finish, Solo Sikoa tried to help Keys by offering him a chair while the referee was down. Keys refused the help and hit Solo with the chair, but that created an opening for Gunther to connect with a lariat followed by a powerbomb to secure the pinfall.
GUNTHER is headed to ITALY. 👊
— WWE (@WWE) May 16, 2026
No thanks to Solo Sikoa, @Gunther_AUT takes down @RealRoyceKeys to become the NEW No. 1 Contender! pic.twitter.com/v8dThFyeaP
The loss ends Keys’ singles undefeated streak since his WWE debut on January 31, in the 30-Man Royal Rumble Match in Saudi Arabia. Before becoming a regular on SmackDown, he had racked up nine wins in dark matches held around the company’s TV tapings.
Keys had also been presented as a fast-rising name after winning the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal on the WrestleMania edition of SmackDown, eliminating Aleister Black and Talla Tonga in the final moments.
With the result, Gunther will now face Cody Rhodes at Clash In Italy on May 31 in Turin. Keys, meanwhile, loses his first major test since joining the main roster.