What a distinction a 12 months makes.
When Cody Rhodes first got here face-to-face with Roman Reigns earlier than their contest at WrestleMania 39, satirically, on SmackDown, Rhodes regarded like a scolded pet. A number of occasions throughout their preliminary banter, Rhodes’ physique language signaled defeat as he stepped again and lowered his head a number of occasions whereas Reigns dropped mic bomb after mic bomb.
Forward of their championship rematch at this 12 months’s WrestleMania, the 2 once more got here nose-to-nose on SmackDown, with Rhodes arriving extra assured than when he first shared a hoop with The Tribal Chief final spring. As they traded barbs, Rhodes stood agency together with his eyes laser-focused on the champion for a lot of the section. Not like final 12 months, the place Rhodes took steps again, Rhodes at occasions superior as he addressed Reigns.
To his credit score, Reigns did his finest to instill doubt into The American Nightmare, whom he referred to as a politician. It was a becoming quip as these two dueled in a method that resembled a presidential debate. Reigns mocked Rhodes, calling him silly for trusting Seth Rollins, a person with a identified historical past of betrayal, as Reigns might attest to. In calling Rhodes a politician, he famous how Rhodes was a liar, somebody who didn’t dwell as much as his guarantees and completed by calling him the best quantity two of all time.
“That’s all you’ll ever be,” stated Reigns, “as a result of I’m primary. Endlessly.”
However Rhodes remained agency and responded by posing a direct query to the Head of the Desk. Just like Reigns questioning Rollins’ loyalty to Rhodes, Cody reciprocated by questioning Reigns’ alternative for a teammate — The Rock — for his or her principal occasion tag workforce match on evening one among WWE’s grand occasion.
“Are you able to belief your accomplice at WrestleMania?”
Subsequent, Rhodes requested Reigns who is basically in control of the Bloodline: Reigns, The Tribal Chief, or The Rock, who now refers to himself as The Remaining Boss. Rhodes conceded that whereas future generations might develop up desirous to be the following Roman Reigns, he asserted that he’s “the one” to dethrone Reigns.
As Rhodes prolonged his hand in an act of disingenuous sportsmanship, Reigns and his particular counsel, Paul Heyman, left the ring. Beforehand, each males promised to point out up alone to their superpower summit. However Reigns remembered how Rhodes, the Ted Cruz of WWE, lied to The Rock early on the Highway to WrestleMania. Sensing he may get ambushed, Reigns snapped his fingers, and Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa appeared. Inside moments, Rollins and Jey Uso slithered out, cloaked in darkish hoodies, to supply immoral assist for the Nightmare.
No punches had been exchanged, however announcers Wade Barrett and Corey Graves noticed that as each Rhodes and Reigns stood their floor, Rhodes appeared to have stunned Reigns, who appeared the least happy. Rhodes demonstrated important enchancment in confronting Reigns in comparison with final 12 months, showcasing a newfound confidence that bolsters his 2024 marketing campaign. Rhodes’ efficiency means that he might doubtlessly unseat the incumbent, Reigns, this 12 months.
Nonetheless, one thing seems off on this program.
Early clues recommended Rhodes and Rock had been covertly working collectively to deliver down the Bloodline from inside. Within the following days, delicate hints indicated that Rollins might stab Rhodes within the again. Now that WWE has acknowledged these prospects throughout programming, a flip by Rock or Rollins appears too apparent.
Maybe the individual to regulate is Jey Uso. Recently, Jey has hinted at a attainable reunion with the Bloodline. On this week’s episode of Uncooked, Jey expressed to his brother, Jimmy, that he misses their time collectively. Earlier than that, in an interview, Jey indicated his perception within the longevity of the Bloodline and expressed that it feels incomplete with out him.
With two weeks till WrestleMania, the outcomes of the occasion’s principal matches and WWE’s future stay unsure.
Is Jey Uso the swing vote on this championship encounter? Realizing that Rhodes is coming to WrestleMania totally loaded to neutralize the Bloodline, may Reigns have one thing or another person up his sleeve? Or is it merely Rhodes’ time to complete his story?
Because the suspense lingers, pleasure continues to escalate, setting the stage for what guarantees to be a memorable evening.