In the world of professional wrestling, where storylines and character rivalries are the lifeblood of entertainment, it’s not often that a superstar breaks character to offer genuine praise to an opponent. However, this was exactly the case when WWE Superstar Cody Rhodes, known as The American Nightmare, set aside his on-screen persona to commend his arch-rival Roman Reigns. The commendation came just before their highly anticipated clash at WrestleMania XL, an event that marks a milestone in the wrestling industry with its fortieth iteration.
Rhodes, having secured a historic victory in the Men’s Royal Rumble Match earlier in the year, joined the ranks of legends like Hulk Hogan, Shawn Michaels, and Stone Cold Steve Austin as one of the few to win the Rumble in consecutive years. This triumph led him to challenge Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, setting the stage for a dramatic rematch from their previous encounter at WrestleMania 39.
During his appearance on The Pat McAfee Show Live From WrestleMania XL, Rhodes took a moment to express his admiration for Reigns’ ability to captivate the audience. He predicted that Reigns’ legacy would be viewed with even greater respect in the years to come. Despite their on-screen rivalry, Rhodes openly acknowledged the respect he holds for Reigns, highlighting the professional admiration that often exists between athletes, even in the scripted world of WWE.
In the lead-up to their championship bout, Rhodes and Seth Rollins were scheduled to face Reigns and The Rock in a tag team match. The outcome of this match was crucial, as it would determine whether The Bloodline would be allowed to interfere in the main event of Night Two. Rhodes also made a bold statement, asserting his belief that Reigns was eager to prove he could triumph without the assistance of The Bloodline, and confidently claimed that in a fair fight, Reigns would not stand a chance against him.
Cody Rhodes’ return to WWE at WrestleMania 38 was a significant moment, and despite not having won a singles title since his return, his eyes were firmly set on victory at The Grandest Stage of Them All. With the wrestling world watching, it remained to be seen if Rhodes could capitalize on his momentum and secure a championship victory, solidifying his place among WWE’s elite.
