Cody Rhodes Retains WWE Championship Against Gunther at Clash in Italy Amid Controversial Finish
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Cody Rhodes is still WWE Champion, but his victory over Gunther at Clash in Italy is already surrounded by controversy.
In one of the biggest main event moments of the night, Cody Rhodes successfully retained the WWE Championship against Gunther in a hard-hitting title match that delivered intensity, drama, and a finish fans will likely be debating for days.
The controversy came during the closing moments of the match, when Cody scored the deciding pinfall on Gunther. However, Gunther immediately protested the decision, arguing with the referee after his foot appeared to be under the rope during the final count.
That single detail has now turned Cody’s championship defense into one of the most talked-about finishes coming out of Clash in Italy.
Cody Rhodes Survives Gunther
Cody Rhodes entered Clash in Italy with the WWE Championship around his waist and one of the most dangerous challengers in WWE standing across from him.
Gunther has built his reputation on dominance, physicality, and punishing opponents until they break. Against Cody, he brought that same intensity, forcing the champion into a fight that felt less like a traditional title defense and more like a survival test.
Cody, however, found a way to endure.
Despite Gunther’s pressure, Cody managed to weather the storm and retain the WWE Championship in front of a fired-up international crowd. For Cody fans, it was another major defense in his championship reign. For Gunther fans, the ending raised a very different question.
Did Cody truly beat Gunther clean?
The Foot Under the Rope Controversy
The biggest talking point from the match came during the final pinfall.
As the referee counted three, Gunther’s foot appeared to be under the rope, which should have forced a rope break if seen by the official. Gunther immediately protested the finish, arguing with the referee and pointing toward the ropes after the bell.
That moment instantly changed the conversation.
Instead of the focus being only on Cody Rhodes retaining the WWE Championship, fans are now asking whether Gunther was robbed of a fair finish.
In professional wrestling, a controversial rope break finish is one of the easiest ways to keep a rivalry alive. The champion keeps the title, the challenger has a legitimate complaint, and the audience is left with something to argue about.
That is exactly what happened here.
Was Gunther Robbed?
That depends on how WWE wants fans to view the finish.
From Cody’s perspective, he did what champions do: he survived, capitalized, and walked out still holding the title. Cody did not make the referee miss the foot under the rope. He simply finished the match and kept his championship.
From Gunther’s side, the argument is just as strong. If his foot was under the rope during the count, the match should not have ended there. That gives Gunther a built-in reason to demand a rematch and claim Cody escaped rather than defeated him.
This is the type of finish that keeps both men protected.
Cody remains champion. Gunther does not look weak. The referee’s missed call becomes the story.
What This Means for Cody Rhodes’ Title Reign
For Cody Rhodes, this win adds another major defense to his WWE Championship run, but it also adds controversy to his reign.
Cody has been positioned as the fighting champion, but controversial finishes can create pressure. If fans believe Gunther had a legitimate rope break, Cody may be forced to address it on WWE television.
That opens the door for several possibilities:
Cody offers Gunther a rematch to prove himself.
Gunther demands another title shot.
WWE uses the controversy to build a larger feud.
Another challenger enters the picture while Gunther remains furious about the finish.
Either way, Cody’s title reign just gained another layer of drama.
Gunther Has a Strong Case for a Rematch
Gunther losing clean would have been a major statement. Gunther losing because of a missed rope break gives WWE a much easier path forward.
The Ring General can now claim he was not truly beaten. That is a dangerous position for Cody because Gunther’s entire character thrives on discipline, pride, and proving superiority inside the ring.
A disputed finish may only make him more dangerous.
If WWE wants to run this match back, the story is already written:
Gunther believes he was robbed. Cody believes he won. The referee’s call stands, but the footage tells a different story.
That is classic championship controversy.
Could This Set Up Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther II?
The ending strongly suggests this may not be over.
A Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther rematch would make sense, especially if WWE wants to stretch the rivalry into another major event. The first match gave Cody the victory, but the controversial finish gives Gunther a reason to keep chasing the WWE Championship.
The big question is whether WWE gives Gunther an immediate rematch or lets the tension build.
If Gunther continues protesting the decision on Raw or SmackDown, the story could easily become one of WWE’s top championship angles moving forward.
Fan Reaction: Right Call or Bad Finish?
The fan debate is already easy to predict.
Cody supporters will argue that the referee’s decision is final and Cody found a way to win.
Gunther supporters will argue that a foot under the rope means the match should have continued.
That split reaction is exactly why the finish works.
It creates conversation.
It gives fans a reason to rewatch the ending.
It makes Cody’s win feel dramatic instead of routine.
Most importantly, it gives WWE a strong reason to continue the feud if they choose to.
Final Thoughts
Cody Rhodes is still WWE Champion after Clash in Italy, but his win over Gunther did not come without controversy.
The image of Gunther protesting with the referee after his foot appeared to be under the rope may end up being the defining moment of the match. Cody leaves with the title, but Gunther leaves with an argument — and maybe a strong case for another shot.
For now, Cody Rhodes remains champion.
But after that finish, one thing feels clear:
This story probably is not over.
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