On the June 12 edition of WWE SmackDown, GUNTHER revealed that he wanted his rematch against Cody Rhodes to have a special guest referee after the controversial finish to their bout at WWE Clash In Italy 2026.
After seeing the two friends getting into it again, GUNTHER announced Sami Zayn will be the special guest referee for his Undisputed WWE Championship match against Rhodes on the June 19 SmackDown.
Now that Zayn is in control, it will be intriguing to see what plans are in store for this title bout this coming Friday in St. Louis.
Here are six potential Sami Zayn referee plans for Cody Rhodes and GUNTHER’s Undisputed WWE Championship match on June 19.
6. Helping Cody Rhodes
As Sami Zayn pointed out in a recent promo, he was the first WWE star in the ring to congratulate Cody Rhodes after he won his first WWE Title at WrestleMania 40
Over the past few months, Sami Zayn has showcased his frustrations after numerous failures to capture a world title.
Following his loss to Drew McIntyre for the Undisputed WWE Championship at Royal Rumble 2026, Zayn started to have a great deal of tension with his former friend Cody Rhodes.
This has led to some animosity being shown between Rhodes and Zayn with both men slapping each other on the June 12 SmackDown.
Despite their differences, Zayn could choose to help Cody retain the title against GUNTHER, wanting to beat “The American Nightmare” for the gold sometime in the future.
5. Call It Right Down The Middle
Sami Zayn has never held a world championship in WWE.
Sami Zayn has been adamant in his belief that he is “The Last Real Good Guy” in WWE.
To prove his point, Zayn might need to showcase that he will always do what’s right by calling things right down the middle on the June 19 episode of Friday Night SmackDown.
While he has plenty of history with GUNTHER and his recent tension with Cody Rhodes, Zayn knows that not favoring either man in this one is the right thing to do.
Zayn calling it right down the middle could lead to him challenging the winner of this contest and being next in line for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
4. Walk Out On The Match
Sami Zayn refused to shake Cody Rhodes’ hand after Cody inadvertently struck Zayn with a Suicide Dive on the June 5 episode of WWE SmackDown
GUNTHER choosing Sami Zayn as the special guest referee could be a genius move or a mistake in the end.
Zayn calling it down the middle or costing one of the two competitors feels like the most likely result of this stipulation.
However, Zayn could choose to walk away from this whole thing and not wanting to help either star get the win.
While there should be a more definitive winner in this contest compared to their WWE Clash In Italy 2026, Cody Rhodes and GUNTHER could be left without a referee completely if Sami Zayn walks out on the match.
3. Making The Match No DQ & No Countouts
GUNTHER suffered a controversial loss to Cody Rhodes at Clash in Italy 2026
For the first time in months, Sami Zayn has a bit of control over what is going to happen.
After feeling ostracized for the past few months, Zayn could use the power he has as the special guest referee to make this title bout more chaotic.
Cody Rhodes and GUNTHER will be fighting tooth-and-nail to get the win and walk out with the Undisputed WWE Championship, so Zayn could take all the chains off this contest.
Zayn making this title match No DQ and No Countouts will make sure nothing is stopping GUNTHER or Rhodes from using an “any means necessary” approach to this collision.
2. Costing Cody Rhodes The Undisputed WWE Championship
There have been tensions between Cody Rhodes and Sami Zayn for most of 2026, with Zayn frustrated at his lack of world title success compared to Cody.
Sami Zayn has displayed his real feelings towards Cody Rhodes always finding himself with opportunities that he feels should go to him.
Calling him the “golden boy,” Zayn has shown his frustrations towards his former friend and why he might not want to see him holding the Undisputed WWE Championship anymore.
GUNTHER will be more determined than ever to win the title after feeling screwed over in their last meeting at WWE Clash In Italy 2026.
With a focused “Ring General” and a bitter Zayn, this might be way too many things working against Rhodes on the June 19 edition of Friday Night SmackDown.
1. Attack Both Men & Count Them Out
Sami Zayn, Cody Rhodes and GUNTHER got into a tussle on the June 5 episode of SmackDown
There are plenty of options for Sami Zayn to take his role as special guest referee for this Undisputed WWE Championship match between Cody Rhodes and GUNTHER.
While he could cost either man and dictate who walks out as champion, there is a chance that Zayn doesn’t want to help either competitor.
Wanting the controversy to remain a dark cloud over Cody’s reign, Zayn could choose to attack both men.
By attacking and laying out both competitors, Zayn will firmly show that he is the only one worthy to hold the Undisputed WWE Championship instead of Rhodes or GUNTHER.
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