This Saturday, Cody Rhodes will defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against his friend and ally, Kevin Owens, at Bash in Berlin.
This unexpected matchup will be the second-generation star’s fourth title defense in a reign that undoubtedly came with high expectations and some insurmountable preconceived notions. Let’s face it: it would be difficult for anyone to follow Roman Reigns’ historic run.
Even though The Tribal Chief was a dominant heel, the Samoan superstar grew more popular than ever due to his extraordinary character work and an excellent display of long-term storytelling. After 1,316 days, some of his most die-hard fans still weren’t ready to see him drop the title to the best opposition to his unchecked rule.
As such, it’s hard to tell how much of the criticism Rhodes has received is valid and how much is confirmation bias from viewers who never bought into him in the first place. Yes, WWE inadvertently turned “finish the story” into an irksome catchphrase with a debatably unnecessary level of added adversity, but it stuck the landing at WrestleMania 40.
The conclusion of the second night of this year’s festivities was one of the most satisfying moments in the event’s history. It was a fitting end to Reigns’ megalomaniacal dominance and a gratifying crowning achievement for his final challenger.
So, why are some fans turning on the follow-up to such a tremendous finale? Is this the usual impatience that most new champions face in an era where the audience is fixated on instant gratification?
Maybe, The American Nightmare gave a great chase and the realization of his dream hasn’t been nearly as interesting. That argument has become a bit cliche, but it’s a fair question in the face of inevitable critiques.
The Epilogue Following Heavy Confetti
WWE regularly suffers a lull after WrestleMania season as it resets its rosters and starts new storylines. Nevertheless, Rhodes and AJ Styles delivered an incredible match at Backlash France, and their dream match produced a solid feud.
The 39-year-old’s side quest to face the reigning United States champion, Logan Paul, wasn’t as strong. Still, their bout at King and Queen of the Ring lived up to the hype and gave fans another high-quality defense.
The problem is that his tenure never quite made it out of the shadow of The Bloodline. His exchange with The Rock during the Raw after Mania ensured that some viewers would be waiting for the next chapter in their rivalry, and whatever happened in the meantime would seem less important.
Even more, SmackDown still feels like The Bloodline’s show because Solo Sikoa’s rise and Reigns’ eventual return were presented as the main storyline. As a result, Rhodes never came off as the leading character of the brand that The Head of the Table loomed over for so long.
This became abundantly clear during the build to SummerSlam and the growing anticipation for Reigns’ response to the man who usurped his throne. It never felt like the champion would definitively beat Sikoa because the moment was reserved for Reigns to outshine him.
It almost became a self-fulfilling prophecy for skeptics waiting to say Rhodes couldn’t match his aura as he stole the show at The Biggest Party of the Summer. The storyline and build were designed to start his face turn, but it basically made Reigns’ successor feel like an afterthought.
The main event also wasn’t much to write home about, but it was never meant to top the match-of-the-year candidate he and Styles put together in Lyon, France. It was merely set dressing for the highlight of the night.
A Different Approach to Creating A Legacy
Many fans of Reigns’ nearly four-year reign also grew accustomed to his style of matches and ongoing story. For that crowd, anything else would pale in comparison and appear regressive.
There’s a common refrain from several critics of Rhodes’ current run that it lacks captivating storylines. That’s not entirely true because his noteworthy feuds outside of The Bloodline have an overarching story, but it’s not as nuanced and dramatic as his predecessor’s long-term storyline.
That doesn’t mean it’s non-existent or even particularly bad. It’s just a notably different approach.
His long-awaited encounter with Styles represented a milestone he couldn’t complete during his travels post-WWE. In many ways, The Phenomenal One created the blueprint for his success during his six-year odyssey to go from undesirable to undeniable, but they never crossed paths.
Facing him after he achieved his childhood dream was the ultimate test and the changing of the guard for two of the greatest success stories in pro wrestling history. Even his biggest detractors have to admit that it created memorable moments.
Similarly, Owens is a meaningful opponent because of his ties to Ring of Honor and The Young Bucks. More to the point, Rhodes’ guilt over allowing The Bloodline’s most stubborn adversary to throw himself back in the line of fire on his behalf led him to offer him a title shot.
In return, he now has to look over his shoulder because he’s facing a challenger who has notoriously turned on his friends when a world title match is involved. The story of whether The Prizefighter can control his baser instincts and Rhodes can trust one of his last allies is intriguing.
It immediately lays the groundwork for a potential feud with Randy Orton, a man he admittedly aspired to be. This title run isn’t just about achieving something his father never did. No, it’s about creating his own legacy by surpassing some of the wrestlers who inspired him.
It’s too soon to say his reign as the undisputed WWE champion failed because the story isn’t done. The American Nightmare remains one of the company’s most popular stars, and there’s still more room to create an enduring offering as a top guy.
WWE hasn’t always prioritized him as its new flagbearer, but his run has been better than many of his haters would like you to believe.