The road to WWE Crown Jewel 2025 is heating up, and one of the biggest matches fans are anticipating is the champion vs. champion clash between Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins. On paper, this is a dream match between two of WWE’s most popular superstars, but not everyone is impressed with how the storyline is being presented.
Former WWE Intercontinental Champion Lance Storm recently voiced his displeasure with the current booking direction, stating that the dynamic between Rhodes and Rollins highlights a deeper issue: the existence of two world titles in WWE.
The History of WWE’s World Titles
To understand the criticism, it’s important to look at the background of WWE’s world championship structure.
In 2022, Roman Reigns defeated Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania to unify the WWE Championship and the Universal Championship, becoming the undisputed face of the company. His dominant reign represented the idea of “one true world champion,” and it created clarity for fans about who the top star in WWE really was.
However, in 2023, WWE reintroduced the World Heavyweight Championship. While this provided opportunities for more wrestlers to hold top titles, it also created confusion for casual fans. Instead of one definitive champion, there were now two men who could both claim to be the best in WWE.
In 2024, WWE introduced a yearly tradition at Crown Jewel, where the reigning WWE Champion faces the World Heavyweight Champion. This was meant to add prestige, but according to Lance Storm, it instead highlights the problem of having multiple “world champions.”
Lance Storm’s Strong Criticism of Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins
During an appearance on Wrestling Observer Live, Lance Storm pulled no punches in criticizing the Rhodes vs. Rollins build.
Storm argued that having two world titles diminishes the value of each belt, and that the annual champion vs. champion match only reinforces the problem.
He explained:
“I really dislike the champion vs. champion. Just the fact that it draws attention to the fact that you have two world champions, and in essence don’t have one. I don’t like two world titles, and I think that segment, while good, just draws attention to the fact that there isn’t really a world champion, men or women, in WWE.”
Storm also recalled how the business struggled in the years when WWE had multiple top titles, pointing to WrestleMania Seattle as an example of a lackluster event caused by splitting the main event picture.
In his view, the most successful WWE era came when Roman Reigns held both titles, with every challenger pursuing the same goal: dethroning the undisputed champion.
Why the Dynamic Feels Off
The criticism of the Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins feud is not about the talent involved. Both men are regarded as among the very best in the world. Rhodes has been positioned as WWE’s top babyface since returning in 2022, and Rollins has been a mainstay at the top of the company for over a decade.
Instead, the issue lies in the presentation of their rivalry.
By placing two champions against each other, the match sends a message that there is no true definitive world champion.
Fans are left asking: Who is really the top guy?
The existence of two world champions undercuts the sense of urgency and prestige that traditionally drives WWE storytelling.
When one man—such as Roman Reigns—holds the only world title, every challenger has a singular focus. That chase creates emotional investment. With two belts, the waters become muddied, and the payoff feels less significant.
The Legacy of Champion vs. Champion Matches
Historically, WWE has occasionally booked champion vs. champion encounters, but they were usually rare spectacles rather than annual traditions.
In 1995, Bret Hart faced Diesel in a WWE vs. Intercontinental Champion showdown.
In 2001, the Survivor Series pay-per-view centered around unifying titles after the WCW invasion.
More recently, events like Survivor Series 2017 highlighted champion vs. champion matches as brand supremacy battles.
These moments worked because they were occasional attractions, not yearly obligations. By turning the format into a predictable tradition, WWE risks oversaturating the concept.
Cody Rhodes’ Path to Crown Jewel
Cody Rhodes has been on a remarkable journey since his WWE return. After famously leaving AEW and coming back at WrestleMania 38, Rhodes declared his mission to “finish the story” by winning the world title that eluded his legendary father, Dusty Rhodes.
Rhodes achieved that goal when he won the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 40, ending Roman Reigns’ historic reign. Since then, he has been established as the company’s top hero, defending the title against some of WWE’s toughest competitors.
At last year’s Crown Jewel, Rhodes defeated then-World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER in the men’s title clash, cementing his place as a top draw in international markets.
Seth Rollins’ Rise as World Heavyweight Champion
Meanwhile, Seth Rollins was crowned the first World Heavyweight Champion of the modern era in 2023. Known as “The Visionary,” Rollins brought credibility to the newly introduced belt with his workhorse mentality and ability to deliver show-stealing matches.
Rollins has consistently defended the title against top challengers, from Drew McIntyre to Finn Bálor, while maintaining his status as one of WWE’s most reliable stars.
Heading into Crown Jewel 2024, Rollins’ clash with Rhodes is billed as a meeting between two men who both claim to be “the face of WWE.”
Storm’s Point: Why One World Champion Matters
Storm’s frustration stems from the philosophy of pro wrestling storytelling. Wrestling thrives when there is one undisputed champion at the top, and everyone else is chasing that title.
When there are two champions, the stakes feel diluted.
Instead of one clear goal, storylines become divided.
The drama of one man being “the best” is replaced with debates about “who is really the champion?”
This is why Storm—and many fans—believe the Rhodes vs. Rollins match is exciting on paper, but flawed in execution.
Comparing Past WWE Eras
Looking at WWE’s history provides some perspective:
The Attitude Era (late 1990s): Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, and Triple H all chased the same WWE Championship. The single belt created legendary rivalries and iconic main events.
The Brand Split Era (2002–2013): With both the WWE Championship and World Heavyweight Championship active, there were often debates about which title was more prestigious. While it gave more stars opportunities, it also diluted the meaning of being “the guy.”
The Roman Reigns Era (2020–2023): With Reigns as the sole world champion, WWE’s storytelling reached new heights, delivering long-term narratives with challengers like Drew McIntyre, Sami Zayn, and Cody Rhodes.
Storm argues that Rhodes and Rollins’ current feud highlights the weaker model of dual champions, rather than the stronger model of one true champion.
The Women’s Crown Jewel Championship Parallel
It’s not just the men’s division facing this issue. Last year, Liv Morgan won the women’s Crown Jewel Championship by defeating Nia Jax. This year, the women’s title clash will feature Stephanie Vaquer vs. Tiffany Stratton.
Similar debates exist in the women’s division, where having multiple top titles sometimes leaves fans questioning who the true leader is.
Will WWE Reconsider Its Title Structure?
The question moving forward is whether WWE will eventually move back toward unifying its world titles.
On one hand, having two titles allows more main-event talent to shine and headline shows. On the other, it weakens the traditional narrative of a single world champion being the ultimate prize.
As Crown Jewel approaches, the match between Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins is set to be a spectacle, but Storm’s criticism raises doubts about whether the format truly benefits WWE in the long run.
The upcoming Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins champion vs. champion match at Crown Jewel 2024 is one of the most anticipated bouts of the year. Both superstars are at the top of their game, and the in-ring action is guaranteed to deliver.
However, as Lance Storm pointed out, the dynamic of two world titles undermines the very concept of “the best in WWE.” While the match will be memorable, the larger issue remains: should WWE have one world champion or continue with two?
Fans may enjoy the spectacle, but the debate over WWE’s title structure isn’t going away anytime soon. And as history shows, the chase for one undisputed champion often creates the most compelling stories in wrestling.
