The booking appears built around forcing Zayn into a definitive choice between helping Rhodes or screwing him. One path could see Zayn make one more valiant act for his former ally, only for Rhodes to respond unappreciatively, potentially adding another heelish layer to the American Nightmare and pushing the former Intercontinental champion past his breaking point.

Alternatively, Zayn could flat out cost Rhodes the championship. That outcome may leave Gunther as the wrestler who benefits most from the twist, while also setting Rhodes on a path toward a trilogy rematch with Gunther to regain the title at Night of Champions and keeping the Rhodes-Zayn story hot in parallel.