Sami Zayn costs Gunther title in WWE SmackDown match

June 19, 2026

Cody Rhodes retained the Undisputed WWE Championship against Gunther on the June 19 episode of WWE SmackDown. Sami Zayn served as special guest referee and interfered to influence the outcome.

The match took place at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Rhodes and Gunther competed evenly until Zayn became involved. Zayn pulled a referee out of the ring during a pin attempt and delivered a fast count to award the win to Rhodes.

Rhodes requested a restart after the initial finish. Gunther and Rhodes resumed the bout until Zayn entered the ring and delivered a Helluva Kick to Gunther, resulting in a disqualification.

Backstage, Gunther argued with officials and demanded another title opportunity at Night of Champions. Rhodes retained the championship following the events.

What people are saying

Fans reacted to Sami Zayn's interference as special guest referee costing Gunther the Undisputed WWE Title against Cody Rhodes on SmackDown. Some called the chaotic finish wild and anticipated a triple threat match ahead. Others criticized the booking for making Gunther appear foolish or questioned Sami's intent during the attacks on both wrestlers and the referee.

They on commentary saying Sami didnt know that was Cody lmaooo he knew!! Sami Zayn messed up the match attacking Gunther and attacking Gunther and Cody with the title. Attacked the poor ref too💀 #smackdown pic.twitter.com/O9DhKNVmpW

— Seth Joseph (@SethJoseph95) June 20, 2026

Well that was certainly a way to go about the WWE Title match.

Gunther turns on his own hand picked ref in Sami Zayn, only for Sami to screw him with a fast count.

I guess it's fine because it's not the end of the story, but they made Gunther look really dumb there.#SmackDown

— Mike Mayer (@offthemike28) June 20, 2026

Sami Zayn may have just costed Gunther the Undisputed WWE Championship as he pulls the referee out of the ring, damn.

Gunther possibly had the match won after delivering his signature Powerbomb on Cody Rhodes.#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/lfWjfl8kTf

— PW Chronicle (@_PWChronicle) June 20, 2026

🚨 Sami Zayn just snapped on both Cody Rhodes and Gunther, costing them their already restarted Undisputed Title Match after earlier costing Gunther as well.#WWE #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/I365fk8xtK

— Matcam Wrestling (@thematcam) June 20, 2026

they knew #SmackDown during a Brazil game in the World Cup was a challenge, so they decided to give us pure CHAOS to kick off the show.

Sami Zayn cost Gunther the title shot, not once but TWICE, he also hit Cody Rhodes with the belt in the face.

what a WILD start of the night.…

— 𝕸𝖔𝖝𝖎𝖙𝖔 (@__moxito) June 20, 2026

Sources

• https://www.fightful.com/wrestling-news/sami-zayn-costs-gunther-undisputed-wwe-title-on-6-19-smackdown-attacks-him-and-cody-rhodes-after-the-match-is-restarted/
• https://www.wrestlinginc.com/2198284/sami-zayn-costs-gunther-wwe-championship/
• https://www.fightful.com/wrestling-news/wwe-smackdown-results-6-19-2026-cody-rhodes-vs-gunther-qotr-kotr-semifinals-more/
• https://www.wrestlinginc.com/2198261/wwe-smackdown-june-19-two-championships-on-line-number-one-contenders-match-more/