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Cody Rhodes vs GUNTHER is finally getting close and WWE fans can feel the tension building

After weeks of promos, staredowns, and mounting tension on WWE television, Cody Rhodes and GUNTHER are now only days away from colliding at Clash in Italy, and the excitement around the match is growing rapidly among wrestling fans.

WWE has spent much of the spring carefully building this rivalry into one of the company’s biggest matches of the year, and now that the event is approaching, it genuinely feels like something special could happen once these two finally step into the ring together.

The atmosphere surrounding the match has changed noticeably over the last week. What originally felt like a strong championship feud now feels much bigger as WWE continues presenting both men as absolute top-level stars heading into one of its biggest international events of 2026.

Cody Rhodes is walking into one of his toughest title defenses yet

Cody Rhodes has spent the last year carrying WWE as its leading babyface champion, but Clash in Italyl may end up becoming one of the defining matches of his entire reign.

Rhodes has consistently delivered in major moments throughout his comeback run, whether against Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, or Drew McIntyre. The emotional connection with fans remains incredibly strong, and WWE clearly still sees him as one of the central faces of the company’s future.

But GUNTHER presents a completely different type of challenge.

Unlike many recent opponents, GUNTHER does not rely on chaos, outside interference, or mind games. Everything about him feels calculated, controlled, and brutally physical. WWE programming over recent weeks has repeatedly emphasized how dangerous and unstoppable he has become heading into this match.

That has made the anticipation around this title clash even stronger.

GUNTHER feels more dangerous than ever right now

There is a growing feeling among wrestling fans that GUNTHER may finally be approaching a true world championship moment.

Ever since moving fully into WWE’s main event picture, he has carried himself like somebody destined to dominate at the highest level. His presence alone changes the tone of every segment he appears in, and the company has protected his credibility exceptionally well over the past two years.

That is exactly why so many fans are now struggling to predict the outcome of this match.

For the first time in a while, a Cody Rhodes title defense genuinely feels uncertain.

WWE has done an excellent job making GUNTHER look like a real threat rather than simply another challenger waiting to lose. The closer the event gets, the more believable it becomes that Clash in Italy could end with a major championship change.

Betting interest around the match is also growing quickly

As Clash in Italy gets closer, betting activity surrounding Cody Rhodes vs GUNTHER has also started increasing across wrestling and sports betting communities. Many fans remain divided on the outcome because WWE has protected both stars extremely strongly during the build, making the match far less predictable than a typical championship defense. Early discussions across betting-focused platforms and communities such as Parhaat Uudet Nettikasinot have reflected just how split opinions currently are heading into the event.

Some expect Rhodes to continue his title reign deep into 2026, while others believe WWE may finally be preparing GUNTHER for a dominant run at the top of the company. That uncertainty has only added even more anticipation to what already feels like one of WWE’s biggest matches of the year.

Clash in Italy already feels like a massive event

Part of the excitement also comes from the setting itself.

WWE has aggressively expanded its international premium live events recently, but Clash in Italy already feels bigger than a normal overseas show. The company is loading the card with major names, top championship matches, and a presentation that feels much closer to a stadium-level event.

Fans online have been especially vocal about Rhodes versus GUNTHER because stylistically the match has the potential to be outstanding.

Rhodes thrives in emotional, dramatic main events while GUNTHER excels in slower, punishing physical matches that gradually wear opponents down. That contrast alone has created enormous interest among fans who want to see how the two styles collide under the pressure of a world title match.

WWE may have created one of its best rivalries of the year

What makes the feud work so well is how seriously WWE has treated both men throughout the build. Neither wrestler feels secondary. Neither feels like filler before a bigger storyline. Instead, WWE has presented this rivalry as a genuine clash between two of the company’s biggest stars entering the Netflix era.

That has helped the match feel important weeks before the bell has even rung.

Now that Clash in Italy is almost here, the excitement around Cody Rhodes versus GUNTHER is becoming impossible to ignore. Whether Rhodes survives another massive challenge or GUNTHER finally captures the biggest prize in WWE, the company has succeeded in making this feel like a true must-watch main event.

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