Cody Rhodes
vs
Gunther
Two champions collide in the WrestleMania 41 main event. The American Nightmare defends the WWE Championship against The Ring General — a clash of eras, styles, and legacies.
WWE Championship
Cody Rhodes — Defending Champion
Cody Rhodes completed his story at WrestleMania 40, winning the WWE Championship. Now he must defend it on the grandest stage against the most dominant champion in recent memory.
World Heavyweight Champion
Gunther — The Ring General
Gunther has been the most dominant champion in WWE — devastating title reign after dominant title reign. At WM41, he gets the biggest match of his career.
The Combatants
Cody Rhodes
The American Nightmare · WWE Champion
Cody's journey — from leaving WWE to becoming the face of it — is one of the great comeback stories in wrestling history. He completed his story. Now the challenge is staying on top.
Gunther
The Ring General · World Heavyweight Champion
Methodical, calculated, and devastating. Gunther doesn't just beat opponents — he dominates them. His IC title reign was the longest in decades. Now he wants the ultimate prize.
Why This Match Works
Style Contrast
Cody's fire-up moments vs Gunther's methodical dominance creates natural dramatic tension. Every Cody comeback feels earned against Gunther's oppression.
Era Clash
Cody represents the modern WWE era — storytelling, family legacy, crowd connection. Gunther represents old-school European toughness. Two philosophies of wrestling collide.
Stakes
Whoever wins leaves WM41 as THE champion. Not just a title holder — but the man who won the biggest match on the biggest night. Legacy-defining for both men.
Watch Highlights
Cody Rhodes explains why Gunther is a liar 👀
Gunther relishes destroying the dreams of the WWE Universe: Clash in Italy Countdown
"I beat you at WrestleMania, and I going to do it again!"
FULL INTERVIEW: Cody Rhodes on surviving Gunther and the Randy Orton Punt Kick fallout
Gunther tells Cody why he is an entitled brat
FULL SEGMENT: Gunther vows to put Cody Rhodes to sleep: SmackDown, May 29, 2026
This Gunther is SCARY 😨
FULL MATCH: Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar: WrestleMania 42
Gunther viciously attacks Cody Rhodes: SmackDown highlights, May 22, 2026
Gunther viciously attacks Cody Rhodes: SmackDown highlights, May 22, 2026
Gunther viciously attacks Cody Rhodes: SmackDown highlights, May 22, 2026
Gunther viciously attacks Cody Rhodes: SmackDown highlights, May 22, 2026
Latest News
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What They're Saying
Cody Rhodes (Cultaholic Wrestling): "We're not going to talk about it. We're moving on. Did bad stuff happen? Good stuff happened too...."
2 months ago
Kaz on The Ringer Wrestling Show: "Gunther versus Seth Rollins at WrestleMania is now a done deal."
2 months ago
Brian O'Connell (Voices of Wrestling): "The rumor around the campfire is that WWE did offer him a retirement run with Gunther, and he did..."
2 months ago
Dave LaGreca (Busted Open Radio): "This Friday night on SmackDown, it is Drew McIntyre versus Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship."
2 months ago
Wei Ting (POST Wrestling): "I think we could say now in Cody Rhodes versus Randy Orton. They're going the one-on-one directio..."
2 months ago
Adam Silverstein (Getting Over Wrestling Podcast): "Cody Rhodes winning back the WWE Championship over Drew McIntyre in the main event of SmackDown o..."
2 months ago
Sam Roberts on WWE Now: "Seth Rollins versus Gunther is at WrestleMania."
2 months ago
Randy Orton (Complex Graps): "The voices in my head, they talk to me and they tell me I am going to beat Cody Rhodes for the WW..."
2 months ago
Sam Roberts (Notsam Wrestling): "I would 100% have Cody win the title on Friday. I think Cody Rhodes should absolutely beat Drew M..."
2 months ago
Notsam on Notsam Wrestling: "Cody Rhodes is once again the WWE Champion."
2 months ago
Sam Roberts (Notsam Wrestling): "Cody Rhodes goes to WrestleMania and it's Cody Rhodes versus Randy Orton in what is I would consi..."
2 months ago
Gunther (What Do You Wanna Talk About Cody Rhodes): "I think it's the biggest thing I've done in my career. Like the first time I was ever part of som..."
2 months ago