The Unstoppable Reign of Roman: Can Cody Rhodes Dethrone the Undisputed Universal Champion at WrestleMania 40?
Roman Reigns, the undeniable force as the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, has stood tall against all challengers, but the winds of change might be blowing in the form of the 6 ft 2 in star, Cody Rhodes. Wrestling veteran Jonathan Coachman believes that it’s not just a possibility but a necessity for Rhodes to knock Reigns off his perch.
The recent turn of events in the wrestling world saw Cody Rhodes winning the Royal Rumble match for the second consecutive year, earning himself a coveted rematch against The Tribal Chief at WrestleMania 39. However, the narrative took an unexpected twist during the WrestleMania XL Kickoff when Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Reigns’ cousin, sided with him and delivered a smackdown to Rhodes. The Brahma Bull subsequently aligned himself with The Bloodline, vowing to thwart Rhodes’ dream of concluding his story in flames at Philadelphia.
On a recent podcast, former WWE announcer Jonathan Coachman shared his perspective on why Cody Rhodes must unseat Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40. Coachman emphasized the significance of wins and losses in this particular storyline, stating, “For this story, and the fact that he came back in a redemption story, and you lead up for two full years? That’s a long time when you’re doing TV every single week. So, to me, at some point, you’ve got to pay it off. And you pay it off at a big win.”
The discussion extended to whether SummerSlam would be an appropriate stage for The American Nightmare to claim the Undisputed Universal Title. Coachman expressed his view, saying, “If you don’t do that, and he does it at, say, SummerSlam? To me, it’s kind of [a] ‘whah whah whah’ moment, because everything leads up to WrestleMania. So my answer to you would be yes, he needs to [win].”
Cody Rhodes is winning the Undisputed Universal title at WrestleMania 40.
The story WILL be finished. pic.twitter.com/BztZA7oWWQ
— Pro Wrestling Finesse (@ProWFinesse) January 12, 2024
Adding another layer to the speculation, Lloyd Anoa’i hinted at the possibility of an unexpected intervention at WrestleMania XL. Anoa’i, a real-life member of The Bloodline, suggested that Rhodes might not conclude his story as expected, stating, “I don’t think Cody Rhodes is going to finish his story. That’s what I say. No disrespect to the Rhodes family, but that story is not gonna end anytime soon.”
Anoa’i’s enigmatic statement raises questions about whether Rhodes might receive unexpected assistance or face additional hurdles during his quest for the championship. As he teased a potential appearance at The Showcase of the Immortals, wrestling enthusiasts are left in suspense, wondering if Anoa’i’s presence will tip the scales in favor of Roman Reigns.
With the odds seemingly stacked against Cody Rhodes, the anticipation for WrestleMania 40 intensifies. Will he manage to pull off a monumental upset and dethrone the seemingly unbeatable Roman Reigns? Only time will tell, and the wrestling world eagerly awaits the grand spectacle that is WrestleMania 40.