WWE Reveals Opening Match For This Weekend’s Clash In Italy Premium Live Event

Earlier this week, it was announced that the Undisputed WWE Championship Match between reigning champion "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes and "The Ring General" GUNTHER, along with the WWE Women's Championship Match featuring reigning champion "The Eradicator" Rhea Ripley and Jade Cargill, would air during the first hour of the 2026 Clash in Italy premium live event (PLE) on ESPN.

We now know which match will kick off the event. During last night’s episode of WWE SmackDown, Joe Tessitore revealed that Rhodes will defend his title against GUNTHER to open the broadcast.

WWE Clash in Italy 2026 is set to take place tomorrow, May 31st, at the Inalpi Arena in Turin, Italy. The first hour of the PLE will be simulcast on ESPN, with the entire show available on the ESPN app in the United States and on Netflix internationally.