In a recent encounter on WWE SmackDown, the Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes faced a formidable challenge from the rising star Carmelo Hayes. The tension escalated when Hayes, a fresh draft pick for the blue brand, confronted Rhodes during the first-round draft picks announcement with Triple H. Hayes expressed his desire to prove his worth by facing the champion, and Rhodes, the former AEW star, accepted the challenge, setting the stage for the night’s main event.
The match, however, took an unexpected turn when Rhodes attempted the Cody Cutter but ended up taking a worrisome fall, landing awkwardly on his shoulder. Concerns arose regarding the champ’s condition, prompting Fightful Select to reach out for an update. Rhodes cryptically replied with a single word, “Always,” leaving fans uncertain about the extent of his injury.
Adding to his busy schedule, Rhodes participated in an autograph signing at a Kroger in Newport, Kentucky, which drew an overwhelming number of fans, leading to the line being cut off due to the sheer volume of attendees. Moreover, Rhodes had significant business on SmackDown this week, where he and AJ Styles conducted the official contract signing for their upcoming match at Backlash. The exchange between the two superstars was filled with mutual respect, with Styles acknowledging the legacy of Rhodes and his father. Rhodes reciprocated the sentiment but emphasized the critical nature of their match, branding it a must-win situation for himself.
As anticipation builds for the Backlash event in France, questions linger about Rhodes’ physical condition following the incident on SmackDown. Fans are eager to see if the American Nightmare will be fit to compete in what promises to be a highly charged bout against AJ Styles. The outcome of this match could have significant implications for both superstars’ trajectories in the WWE universe.
