They say that you should never have too many chefs in the same kitchen. However, this has been the precarious balancing act that the WWE has been trying to pull off with Monday Night RAW playing host to two of the industry’s biggest stars at the moment: Seth “Freakin” Rollins and Cody Rhodes. Once fierce rivals, their feud culminated at last year’s Hell in a Cell, where the two fought in one of the best matches in recent memory. Now, they’re engaged in their respective individual sagas. But, what happens if the two of them ever meet up again, this time with a title belt on the line?
In a recent conversation with USA Today, Rollins confidently put forth a challenge, stating, “I would love for Cody Rhodes to come try to take it from me. If he can survive Brock Lesnar, I would love for him to try to. I’m better than I’ve ever been; he doesn’t stand a chance.”
While Rollins maintains an unyielding resolve, even going as far as to call out his former stablemate, Roman Reigns, for his frequent unavailability to defend the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, his competitor isn’t one to be easily cowed either.
The American Nightmare has made a habit of staring down The Beast Incarnate since the RAW After WrestleMania episode in April. After losing to Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 39, Rhodes suddenly found himself in a feud against the former UFC Heavyweight Champion. The two have split their matches, with Rhodes taking the win at Backlash while Brock Lesnar made him pass out at The Night of Champions. The two are reportedly among the many matches set for SummerSlam, with Rhodes publicly demanding a rubber match against Lesnar at the Hottest Party of The Summer.
Rhodes is expected to take the W in a match that will carry some form of stipulation. On the other hand, Rollins’ title match at the upcoming PLE will be Finn Balor, although this remains unconfirmed.
Regardless of whoever they may face off against after SummerSlam is over, it’s highly unlikely that the two will meet again soon, let alone with the World Heavyweight Championship on the line.
Rhodes has confirmed that he isn’t interested in fighting Rollins for RAW’s top title belt. The reports also confirm that the WWE is still angling for Rhodes to finish his story by beating Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40, by which time he’ll have beaten Bruno Sammartino’s record in his second title run and become the fourth-longest-reigning WWE champion in history.
So, while Rollins continues to fend off all the contenders that he wants as the reigning World Heavyweight Champion, don’t expect Rhodes to line up to be next.
Curiously enough, the WWE’s current predicament mirrors a pattern reminiscent of the John Cena and CM Punk saga back in 2011, where both wrestlers vied for the fan’s hearts. In this unfolding narrative, Rhodes mirrors Cena, the personification of the pro wrestling equivalent of Superman, the face for marketing and merchandise. Meanwhile, Rollins, echoing Punk, embodies a character more edgy and provocative, yet equally capable in the ring, the proverbial Batman to Cena’s Superman.
For the WWE, image is everything, and Rhodes delivers exactly what the company covets – the face of dependability, a star with Hollywood connections and aspirations as well as a penchant for seizing the spotlight outside the squared circle. On the other hand, Rollins carries the torch as the people’s champion, excelling in his craft, and perhaps proving to be the rightful heir to the World Heavyweight Title.
While the brewing feud between Rollins and Finn Balor and the rest of the Judgment Day adds another layer of tension, the potential for a fourth encounter between Rhodes and Rollins on the horizon is an exciting prospect.
As the anticipation for WWE SummerSlam next month builds, the stage seems set for seismic showdowns in WWE.
