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Gunther Targets Rhodes, Secures Backlash Main Event After Orton Injury

5/9/2026

45 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

GUNTHER attacked Cody Rhodes on May 1, 2026 SmackDown, starting a WWE Championship feud.
Dave Meltzer reported on May 8, 2026 that WWE redirected GUNTHER from a Roman Reigns program to a Rhodes rivalry because Randy Orton’s injury cancelled the WrestleMania 42 match.
The reshuffle moved GUNTHER into the Backlash main event, dropped the Jelly Roll-Pat McAfee tag match, and left Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu’s storyline open for SummerSlam.

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Story summary

GUNTHER attacked Cody Rhodes on May 1, 2026 SmackDown, starting a WWE Championship feud.
Dave Meltzer reported on May 8, 2026 that WWE redirected GUNTHER from a Roman Reigns program to a Rhodes rivalry because Randy Orton’s injury cancelled the WrestleMania 42 match.
The reshuffle moved GUNTHER into the Backlash main event, dropped the Jelly Roll-Pat McAfee tag match, and left Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu’s storyline open for SummerSlam.