Triple H to revive controversial spot for Damian Priest vs. Gunther at WWE SummerSlam? Exploring the chances
WWE is ready to deliver SummerSlam this Saturday to its audience. Multiple titles will be on the line, including Damian Priest's World Heavyweight Championship, which he's scheduled to defend against 2024 King of the Ring Gunther.
The Ring General claims that Priest is "street trash," but The Archer of Infamy takes that as a compliment, believing that the rough journey has turned him into a veteran. Damian is seemingly entering SummerSlam as a babyface who's overcome adversity and now faces a disrespectful villain looking to take away his title. Imperium's leader, Gunther, is playing an overconfident heel in his match against Priest. However, their roles could be reversed with a double turn during the conclusion.
At last month's Money in the Bank PLE, Referee Rod Zapata didn't make the three count despite Damian Priest not kicking out following a knee to the head and a Falcon Arrow from Seth Rollins. While many fans and journalists see this moment as a botch, what if WWE works this into a storyline about a crooked referee aligned with Judgment Day?
When asked about the controversial moment, Triple H said that "the referee's decision is final" and that he was looking forward to conversing with Referee Zapata about MITB's World Title match. Additionally, The Game congratulated Priest for his job as World Heavyweight Champion.
The King of Kings is currently the head of WWE's creative team, and he could potentially turn an apparent botch into a compelling narrative that could alter the outcome of a major SummerSlam match.
Referee Rod Zapata could screw Gunther out of his title match with Damian Priest at WWE SummerSlam 2024
Referee Zapata didn't make the three count when Seth Rollins pinned Damian Priest, but he had no problem counting the pinfall for Priest following a South of Heaven chokeslam. A storyline can be woven from Rod's controversial refereeing, turning him into a stooge of Judgment Day akin to WCW referee Nick Patrick's role in the New World Order faction.
By booking Zapata as the referee of Priest vs. Gunther at SummerSlam, WWE could revisit the controversial moment from Money in the Bank and provide a solid storyline explanation for what appeared to be a botch.
Referee Zapata could screw Gunther out of the title match, giving the win to The Archer of Infamy, which would cause a double turn and set up a babyface run for The Ring General weeks before Bash in Berlin on August 31 inside Uber Arena in the capital city of Germany.
If WWE decides to run back Gunther vs Priest, but this time in Berlin, it'd make sense to book The Ring General as the babyface and Judgment Day's Archer of Infamy as a heel. Location matters when it comes to crowd response, and WWE should take note of this for its first-ever PLE live from Germany.
Who is WWE referee Rod Zapata?
Referee Rod Zapata was also involved in the controversial finish to the main event of WrestleMania 35. He was assigned as the referee for the match between Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, and Ronda Rousey for the RAW and SmackDown Women's Championships.
Despite Rousey's shoulders not being fully down on the mat during the count, Zapata counted the pinfall in favor of Lynch. This moment left a blemish on the first women's match to main-event WrestleMania.
According to a report from Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp, Zapata was reportedly fined by WWE because of the WrestleMania botch.
Referee Zapata saved Priest from losing the World Heavyweight Championship and leaving Judgment Day by not making the three count following Falcon Arrow at Money in the Bank.
By awarding Priest the victory, Zapata ensured Rollins could not challenge for Priest's title as long as The Archer of Infamy remained champion. If Referee Rod is looking out for Judgment Day's best interests, he'll make sure Gunther doesn't win at SummerSlam.
When speaking with the New York Post about the controversial MITB moment, Priest noted that he didn't forget to kick out, indicating that there was "a situation" and "the ones that matter knew the situation, and nobody thought twice about it."
What if the "situation" involves a crooked referee stooging for Judgment Day? If that turns out to be the case, Gunther won't be walking out of Cleveland Browns Stadium as World Heavyweight Champion.