Add as a preferred source on Google Cody Rhodes and Gunther will open WWE Clash in Italy this Sunday from the Inalpi Arena in Turin, Italy.
Joe Tessitore confirmed the news during Friday’s SmackDown in Barcelona. WWE had already promoted the Undisputed WWE Championship match as one of the major attractions for the first hour of the show, but it had not been made clear whether it would actually serve as the opening match.
In the United States, the premium live event will begin at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT on the ESPN App for ESPN Unlimited subscribers. ESPN will also air the Countdown from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. ET, along with the first hour of the event from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. ET.
That means Rhodes vs. Gunther should be one of the most heavily exposed matches on the show in the United States. The first hour will also feature Rhea Ripley defending the WWE Women’s Championship against Jade Cargill.
The rivalry between Rhodes and Gunther began on the May 1 episode of SmackDown, when “The Ring General” attacked the Undisputed WWE Champion. Gunther later refused to sign the contract under Rhodes’ terms and had to defeat Royce Keys to earn the title shot.
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The Clash in Italy card will also feature Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar, Becky Lynch vs. Sol Ruca for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship, and Roman Reigns vs. Jacob Fatu in a Tribal Combat Match for the World Heavyweight Championship, which is expected to main event the show.