The upcoming battle between Cody Rhodes and Gunther at Crown Jewel carries significant implications, with both competitors vying for a championship worth $1 million, adorned with 50 carats of diamonds. WWE has confirmed that the winner will receive a championship ring similar to those awarded to Super Bowl champions, rather than keeping the prestigious belt itself.
Recent Confrontations Shape Championship Landscape
The rivalry between Rhodes and Gunther intensified following Paul “Triple H” Levesque’s introduction of overarching champions, unifying the top title holders from Monday Night Raw and Friday Night SmackDown. Their most recent encounter on the November 1 edition of SmackDown saw Rhodes and Randy Orton secure victory over Gunther and Ludwig Kaiser, though the conclusion left Rhodes at a disadvantage when Kevin Owens’ interference enabled Gunther to apply a sleeper hold.
Rhodes maintains an undefeated record against Gunther in their limited encounters, including tag team matches and Royal Rumble interactions. Their complete history includes:
- SmackDown (November 1, 2024): Rhodes & Randy Orton defeated Gunther & Ludwig Kaiser
- WWE Live (April 2024): Rhodes, Kevin Owens & Matt Riddle defeated Gunther, Kaiser & Giovanni Vicci
- Royal Rumble 2024: Rhodes and Gunther participated, with Rhodes emerging victorious
- Royal Rumble 2023: Both participated, with Rhodes securing the win
The in-ring dynamic between Rhodes and Gunther has generated mixed reactions from fans during their verbal confrontations. Their contrasting styles – Rhodes’ technical precision against Gunther’s power-based offense – set the stage for what is expected to be a 20-minute contest at Crown Jewel.
Triple H’s strategic booking decisions suggest Rhodes may overcome another sleeper hold attempt before executing a Cody Cutter and two CrossRhodes for the victory, despite the compelling alternative of Gunther potentially wielding the championship ring as a decisive factor in future matches.
