Crown Jewel 2023 saw Cody Rhodes triumph in a tale of redemption, setting him back on the course for a storied feud with Roman Reigns. Overall, the night proved to be pivotal for The American Nightmare. Perhaps, more importantly, it set the stage for the narratives to begin ahead of WrestleMania 40 in April 2024.
The event, simmering with high stakes, saw Rhodes clashing with Damian Priest of The Judgment Day, which is a feud that has ensnared the WWE Universe in its dramatic folds for months. The match, which sparked to life the, at the time, tepid Riyadh crowd, was a high-octane affair. Despite an injured ankle, Rhodes showcased the resilience and heart that have become his trademarks. The two combatants took the fight beyond the ring, with Priest nearly sealing Rhodes’ fate with a Reckoning on the commentator’s table. Yet, Rhodes, fueled by vengeance, refused to succumb.
As always, the crux of the conflict, however, wasn’t the physical contest but the psychological warfare and external interferences that have become synonymous whenever The Judgment Day gets involved. Finn Balor, JD McDonagh, and Dominik Mysterio attempted to stack the odds against Rhodes, but an unexpected ally emerged. Jey Uso, defying his own narrative threads within The Bloodline, intervened, evening the playing field with a flurry of superkicks. This act not only reinforced the burgeoning camaraderie between Rhodes and Uso but also added a layer of complexity to the ever-evolving WWE landscape.
Rhodes’ victory, secured through a relentless onslaught of Cross Rhodes, was a resounding statement. Despite a recent series of challenges, including a setback against Reigns at WrestleMania 39 and a turbulent feud with Brock Lesnar, the last of the Rhodes family remaining in WWE has resiliently clawed his way back into the limelight. His victory his latest opponent, his fourth consecutive pay-per-view triumph, showcases his unwavering resolve and reminds everyone of his position as a prime contender for Reigns’ throne.
However, the road to Reigns is fraught with obstacles. The rivalry with The Judgment Day is a double-edged sword for Rhodes. It has sustained his popularity, but the overextended narrative has begun to show signs of wear. With WWE fans expressing concern, the creative onus is now on WWE to finally put Rhodes back on the path towards redemption – a rematch against Reigns.
While the prospect of Rhodes and Uso teaming up for the Survivor Series WarGames main event against an antagonist-filled lineup led by Judgment Day is always a possibility, it also hints at the potential fatigue of this rivalry. There’s the growing clamoring for fresh narratives, and while a feud with stars like Gunther or Shinsuke Nakamura has potential, they pose their own challenges. A heel-turning Drew McIntyre looms as a dark horse, a potential opponent who could bridge Rhodes’ path to Reigns, further risks diluting the Scotsman’s own narrative momentum.
Crown Jewel 2023 was a reminder for the WWE to finally cash in on Rhodes’ momentum. Nearly two years into his WWE return, the American Nightmare deserves another shot against the Tribal Chief and his unified title belts.
Only time will tell if WWE will finally give fans what they want, but it appears that this is still their primary goal.
As for Priest, it’s unclear what WWE is planning for him. Earlier in the event, he failed to cash in his Money in the Bank title shot against a limping Seth Rollins after Sami Zayn literally ran away with the briefcase.
