Gunther To Announce SmackDown Move Tonight As Cody Rhodes Showdown Looms

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown airs live from the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina, on USA Network and Netflix. The show is the first episode following WWE Backlash and features fallout from that event alongside early build toward Clash in Italy on May 31 in Turin.

Confirmed for tonight:

• Cody Rhodes and Gunther are set for a face-to-face confrontation. Paul Heyman delivered the Clash in Italy contract last week, and Gunther attempted to choke out Rhodes on the way out. Gunther is also expected to officially announce he is joining the SmackDown brand.
• WWE United States Champion Trick Williams returns to Columbia for a homecoming celebration. Williams played college football at the University of South Carolina and defends the title he won at WrestleMania 42.
• Jade Cargill addresses her recent attack on WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley.
• An announcement is expected regarding the suspension of Jacob Fatu following his post-match attack on Roman Reigns at Backlash.