Cody Rhodes is wrestling with a championship that feels more like a shadow than a spotlight—does he truly need Roman Reigns to shine a light on his reign?
Dive into the electrifying world of WWE with me, where rivalries aren't just scripted—they're the heartbeat of the sport. For newcomers, imagine WWE as a grand theater of athletic storytelling, where superstars like Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns are the leading actors in a high-drama saga. Survivor Series, for instance, is one of WWE's biggest annual events, a battle royale where teams clash in epic, no-holds-barred matches like WarGames, which is a brutal cage fight testing alliances and endurance. But let's rewind to this year's show and unpack a moment that could redefine everything.
And this is the part most people miss—it's not just about the match; it's about the unspoken messages that linger long after the bell.
Roman Reigns appeared ready to mend fences with his fiercest foes at Survivor Series. After their squad fell short in the intense WarGames showdown—a multi-person cage match where strategy and strength collide—Reigns extended an olive branch to CM Punk, hoisting him up from the mat in a gesture of goodwill. Punk, ever the straight shooter, exchanged a few words, and they sealed it with a fist bump, a rare display of camaraderie in a world often fueled by animosity.
Meanwhile, Cody Rhodes lay sprawled on the canvas, witnessing this truce unfold. As Reigns turned his gaze downward, Punk urged him to offer Rhodes a helping hand too. Reigns hesitated, reaching out slowly only to retract as Rhodes attempted to rise independently. Once upright, Rhodes approached Reigns, his words sharp and his head shaking in defiance.
Reigns shot a glance at Punk, then locked eyes with Rhodes, uttering, “I’ll remember that.” With a flash of his teeth—a subtle, predatory warning—he pivoted and began to exit. But not before they squared off once more. Reigns exuded calm control, while Rhodes stood firm, almost taunting him with his stance.
“That’s the last time we’ll ever team. Just know that,” Reigns declared coolly.
Rhodes, eyes piercing, fired back with a simple, “I gotcha,” as Reigns sauntered away, leaving tension thick in the air.
The Road to Reigns vs. Rhodes III Kicks Off
WWE's 2025 Survivor Series at Petco Park will be etched in memory for highlights like John Cena's swansong in the premium live event circuit, as well as the breakout moments for rising talents such as Dominik Mysterio, Stephanie Vaquer, and Bron Breakker. These are the up-and-coming wrestlers who could shape WWE's future, drawing fans with their fresh energy and raw potential. Yet, it's that climactic scene that might ignite a WrestleMania rematch between Reigns and Rhodes—if WWE decides to steer that direction for April's extravaganza, the pinnacle of professional wrestling where dreams are made or shattered.
But here's the twist: this potential new chapter in their feud might have ignited earlier, with Rhodes seemingly unveiling a chink in his armor—perhaps on purpose, to set the stage for drama.
Just days before Survivor Series, Rhodes opened up to comedian Bert Kreischer in a candid chat (check out the video here: https://youtu.be/LMFHbrFhOoI?si=3ATSSILggeYaSpy7). Reflecting on his internal turmoil as WWE's top star, he shared how he confessed to a close friend, “I’m really lost, man. I feel like I’m losing ground. I feel like I’m carrying this (the Undisputed WWE Championship), and I want to be the best champion there ever was. But am I doing it?” It's a vulnerable peek into the mind of a champion grappling with the weight of expectations, much like an athlete questioning their peak performance.
New Champion, Yet a Narrative on Hold
When Cody Rhodes stormed back into WWE in 2022, his quest to claim the Undisputed WWE Championship—the prestigious belt that eluded his father, the legendary Dusty Rhodes—struck a chord with fans. It was a story of legacy and redemption, pulling audiences into his journey toward WrestleMania 39, where he narrowly lost to Reigns in a heart-stopping clash.
Fast forward to 2024: After dominating the Royal Rumble for the second year running—a chaotic battle where 30 wrestlers eliminate each other over the top rope—Rhodes seemed destined for a rematch with Reigns. But Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson threw a wrench into the works with his surprise return, challenging his cousin in a family feud that captured everyone's attention.
Rhodes eventually squared off against Reigns at WrestleMania 40, clinching the title in a momentous upset. His initial run was solid, but he lacked a worthy challenger to truly test his mettle—no one emerged to make the story sizzle.
That seemed poised to change when The Rock reappeared in February, promising fireworks. However, after The Rock vanished from WWE programming following John Cena's shocking turn to the dark side, Rhodes' storyline drifted aimlessly. He then dropped the belt to Cena at WrestleMania 41, a bout that drew widespread criticism, partly due to The Rock's absence, which left the narrative feeling incomplete.
Rhodes bounced back by reclaiming the title at SummerSlam in August, with fans rallying behind Cena as he rode off into retirement. Since then, his second championship era has struggled to build traction, despite impressive showdowns like the one with Drew McIntyre. His temporary hiatus to star in a Street Fighter movie (as rumored here: https://www.cagesideseats.com/rumor-round-up/379788/rumor-roundup-jericho-wwe-return-vince-mcmahon-no-contact-raja-jackson-danger-street-fighter) only added to the lull, leaving his arc feeling stagnant.
Enter a trilogy clash with Reigns at WrestleMania—it feels like the perfect reboot for Rhodes' persona, especially since Reigns is hunting for a marquee foe of his own.
Transforming Challenges into Triumphs
Roman Reigns was gearing up for a blockbuster collision with Seth Rollins in 2026, following his defeat at Rollins' hands during WrestleMania 41 Night One and the dramatic departure of his advisor Paul Heyman to join Rollins. But Rollins' shoulder injury in October, which forced him to relinquish the world title, left Reigns adrift without a clear opponent on the horizon.
This vacuum has paved the way for a third encounter with Rhodes, who remains Reigns' most emotionally charged adversary. Their off-screen friction—stemming from Rhodes' time away from WWE, where he poked fun at Reigns' physique and once failed a drug test back in 2016—adds authentic depth to any future storyline. As Rhodes noted last year in an interview (read more here: https://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/2024/10/31/24284370/cody-rhodes-relationship-roman-reigns-no-interaction-apology-past-negative-comments-wwe-bad-blood), their interactions are minimal, a distance he reinforced in an ESPN chat (watch it here: https://youtu.be/td3ofJWSYaw?si=niduiQoQhvnCmC3h), saying, “We don’t talk a lot…”
Whenever they share the spotlight, the electricity is undeniable. Their 2024 sit-down at Georgia Tech, just before uniting against common foes at Bad Blood, was hailed as one of WWE's standout moments that year, blending real-life animosity with scripted drama.
With both superstars craving a WrestleMania main event, Rhodes' admission of feeling "lost" opens up a compelling plotline ripe for exploration. To truly embody the champion he aspires to be, Rhodes needs to vanquish Reigns definitively in a trilogy that could define his legacy.
But here's where it gets controversial—is this rivalry overhyped, or is Reigns the only one who can legitimize Rhodes' crown?
Picture it: a high-stakes duel in Las Vegas, the glittering backdrop for next year's WrestleMania. Victory for Rhodes could solidify him as WWE's unrivaled icon, while defeat might expose the vulnerabilities he's confessed to fearing. And yet, some might argue that Rhodes doesn't need Reigns at all—perhaps he's capable of building his own empire without revisiting old battles. Is clinging to this feud a sign of weakness, or the ultimate test of strength?
It's this underlying anxiety that could make their rivalry the most captivating yet: Just how far will Rhodes push to safeguard his throne? Do you see a third match as essential for Rhodes' redemption, or do you think WWE should let this story fade? Share your thoughts in the comments—agree, disagree, or propose your own twist on this epic saga. Let's debate!
