This time two weeks ago, most expected Cody Rhodes to put an end to Roman Reigns’ run at the top of the WWE. Instead, he found himself staring in disbelief along with the record-breaking crowd at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles as he lost to Reigns. To make matters worse, The American Nightmare got pelted with a rubber chicken and decimated by Brock Lesnar at RAW after WrestleMania. But, while many blamed this booking on Vince McMahon, who’s reportedly back in power, it appears that this was all part of the plan.
According to Fightful Select, the WWE had told Lesnar about the plans for at least a month before RAW after WrestleMania. As a matter of fact, the lack of engagements between Lesnar and Omos before their squash match at WrestleMania 39 was all a lead-up to Lesnar’s brutal attack against Rhodes. However, a different source, specifically, SmackDown commentator, Wade Barrett, is claiming that Lesnar was “mad” because he was the opener of Day 2 of WrestleMania 39.
It’s still unclear which of these reports is true but all the grapevine talk does make the next few weeks following the “worst” first episodes of RAW and SmackDown after WrestleMania 39 a bit more bearable.
With that said, as much as seeing The American Nightmare fail to realize his lifelong dream two nights in a row hurts, you can’t exactly blame Triple H for putting Brock Lesnar as another obstacle for Rhodes to hurdle.
Regardless of who’s champion, Brock Lesnar’s presence will always loom over the WWE. Several storylines have seen him appear to put a world of hurt on whoever is closest to the coveted titles. In this particular case, Rhodes was the victim of the Beast Incarnate. It’s clear that a rematch against Roman Reigns will happen and it’s probably going to be at WrestleMania 39. But, that’s still a year away and the WWE needs to give audiences something.
Outside of The Tribal Chief, very few are as serious of a threat to Cody Rhodes as Brock Lesnar. Randy Orton is another but he hasn’t officially returned yet.
Ultimately, the WWE needs to re-establish Rhodes as someone who worked hard to earn his shot at the Undisputed WWE Championship – not someone who was just gifted the belts, as many are claiming.
Beating Brock Lesnar would solidify Rhodes’ claim as the No. 1 contender for to snap Reigns’ streak on or before the next WrestleMania.
Besides, from a technical standpoint, who wouldn’t want to watch Cody Rhodes and Brock Lesnar trade barbs against each other? As much as we would’ve loved to have seen Lesnar mess with Roman Reigns just for the heck of it (Lesnar can’t challenge for either title for as long as Reigns is holding it), an eventual match between Rhodes and Lesnar holds far more promise.
In the meantime, the WWE seems content to revel in Lesnar’s form of violence after releasing a clip of him laying down the law against everyone:
