Cody Rhodes isn’t letting what happened on WWE SmackDown slide quietly.
Ahead of his Undisputed WWE Championship defense against Gunther at Clash in Italy, Rhodes addressed Sami Zayn’s controversial actions from last week’s show — and he managed to sum it up in a single word.
Speaking during an appearance on ESPN SportsCenter, Rhodes reflected on Zayn walking away while Gunther attacked him following their main event match on SmackDown.
While the rivalry with The Ring General continues to heat up, it’s clear there may be another crack forming closer to home.
Cody Rhodes calls Sami Zayn “Petty” after SmackDown walkout
When asked about Zayn’s recent behavior, Rhodes didn’t hold back.
“I would classify Sami Zayn with one word and that would be uh petty and that’s just a good old petty moment,” Rhodes said.
The tension between Rhodes and Zayn has been building for weeks on SmackDown. Zayn recently voiced frustration backstage to General Manager Nick Aldis, claiming Rhodes has been treated like WWE’s “Golden Boy” while his own career direction stalled. That frustration eventually led Rhodes to challenge Zayn to a non-title match on the May 22 episode.
The match itself turned into a hard-hitting main event, with Zayn targeting Rhodes’ injured leg and pushing an increasingly aggressive style.
Things broke down late in the contest when Gunther attempted to interfere. Zayn accidentally collided with The Ring General during the chaos, allowing Rhodes to capitalize with Cross Rhodes for the victory.
However, the real turning point came after the bell.
Gunther launched another brutal attack on Rhodes, including a powerbomb and a rear-naked sleeper hold. Zayn briefly stood face-to-face with Gunther as if he might help his longtime friend. Instead, he backed away and left the ring while Rhodes was choked out in the center of the ring.
With Clash in Italy approaching, Rhodes now finds himself dealing with more than just The Ring General. For Sami Zayn, that “petty” label may stick harder than a Helluva Kick.
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