Where Cody Rhodes, Gunther & Sami Zayn Could Be Going | Notsam Wrestling Update
The episode dives into the explosive fallout between Cody Rhodes, Sami Zayn, and Gunther following a heated SmackDown segment that culminated in Cody slapping Sami and Sami retaliating—only to be stopped by cooler heads. The twist? Gunther demanded that Sami Zayn be named the special referee for their upcoming WWE Championship rematch, turning the match into a high-stakes psychological battleground. The host argues that Sami, despite his personal vendetta against Cody, has a strong incentive to help Gunther win—both because he’s beaten him before and because he sees Cody as the 'golden boy' who always gets saved. This sets up a potential triple threat at Night of Champions, where Gunther could win the title with Sami’s help, only for Cody to sabotage Sami’s victory and allow Gunther to claim the championship. The host passionately advocates for this storyline, calling it a bold reinvention that could reignite fan interest by shifting focus from title ownership to raw character-driven drama, culminating in a no-title grudge match at SummerSlam that redefines Cody’s journey. The episode also examines why this match is happening on SmackDown instead of a pay-per-view, arguing that a title change on a weekly show elevates the stakes and narrative urgency. With no confirmed main event for Night of Champions yet, the host sees this storyline as the perfect catalyst to fill the void and create a compelling, multi-layered arc.
Gunther’s stipulation to pick Sami Zayn as referee creates a built-in conflict of interest, making Sami’s calls a narrative weapon.
Sami Zayn has a strong incentive to help Gunther win the title because he’s beaten him before and sees Cody as the 'golden boy' who always gets saved.
Cody’s slap of Sami and Sami’s retaliation escalate their feud into a personal war, setting up a no-title grudge match at SummerSlam.
A SmackDown title change boosts the value of weekly TV and creates immediate stakes, making the story feel urgent and unpredictable.
Gunther winning the title via Sami’s biased call sets up a triple threat at Night of Champions, where Cody’s sabotage allows Gunther to triumph.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Welcome to Not Sam Wrestling Update
Sam Roberts opens the episode, thanking listeners for the feedback on his new format and previewing the week's major wrestling storylines, particularly the escalating feud between Cody Rhodes, Sami Zayn, and Gunther.
Cody vs. Gunther: The Aftermath of the Controversial Loss
The episode unpacks Gunther’s furious reaction to losing his match against Cody Rhodes due to a foot being outside the ring, and Cody’s dismissive response, setting the stage for a rematch with high stakes.
The Slap Heard 'Round the Ring: Cody and Sami’s Breaking Point
“You ever get slapped in the face and get irrationally angry? You know when somebody hits you? You ever have that with a buddy where you guys are just playing around or whatever? You're roughhousing. And then he'll slap you across the face. And all of a sudden, just instinctively... you'll feel disrespected, and you just go get irrationally angry.”
Gunther’s Stipulation: Sami Zayn as Referee
“I will pick the referee. That's my stipulation. I will pick the referee for the rematch. And Nick Aldis goes, okay, that's fine. Who is the referee? And he said, the referee I pick is Sami Zayn.”
Why Sami Zayn Might Help Gunther Win
The host argues that Sami has both personal and strategic reasons to ensure Gunther wins—having beaten him before, seeing Cody as the 'golden boy,' and wanting to prove he can beat the unbeatable.
“I have Gunther winning the title. I have a triple threat match going to Night of Champions between Sami, Cody, and Gunther. And I have Gunther winning that triple threat match because Sami and Cody's animosity is too much.”
“I will pick the referee. That's my stipulation. I will pick the referee for the rematch. And Nick Aldis goes, okay, that's fine. Who is the referee? And he said, the referee I pick is Sami Zayn.”
“You ever get slapped in the face and get irrationally angry? You know when somebody hits you? You ever have that with a buddy where you guys are just playing around or whatever? You're roughhousing. And then he'll slap you across the face. And all of a sudden, just instinctively... you'll feel disrespected, and you just go get irrationally angry.”
Host
Cody Rhodes
person
Sami Zayn
person
Gunther
person
SmackDown
other
Night of Champions
other
SummerSlam
other
Nick Aldis
person
WrestleMania 40
other
Sam Roberts
person
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