The WWE Universe eagerly anticipated a match that had been brewing for months—Roman Reigns, the dominant and nearly untouchable Undisputed WWE Champion, would defend his title against Cody Rhodes, the son of a legend and a man on a mission to finally claim the championship that had eluded his family for generations. The stage was set, and both competitors entered the ring with their legacies and reputations on the line.
This was no ordinary match for either competitor. Roman Reigns, having held the Undisputed Championship for an unprecedented reign, was not only fighting to retain his title but also to continue his family’s legacy as the leader of the Bloodline. With each title defense, Reigns further established himself as one of the greatest champions in WWE history. His mantra, “Acknowledge me,” had become synonymous with dominance, and Reigns was determined to ensure that his reign would not be cut short by Cody Rhodes.
For Cody, the stakes were equally personal. Growing up as the son of WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes, Cody had lived in the shadow of his father’s greatness. His entire career had been a journey to step out from under that shadow and prove himself as a top-tier WWE Superstar. After returning to WWE from his successful stint on the independent circuit and AEW, Cody set his sights on the one thing his father never won—the WWE Championship. This was more than just a match; it was Cody’s opportunity to fulfill his family’s legacy.
In the weeks leading up to the match, tensions between Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes reached a boiling point. Roman, always the master of psychological warfare, constantly taunted Cody, reminding him that he wasn’t good enough to be a champion and that his father would never be proud of him. Reigns questioned Cody’s mental toughness and implied that Cody’s time outside WWE made him soft.
Cody, however, refused to back down. He responded to Reigns’ insults with fiery promos of his own, declaring that he was not only fighting for himself but also for his family’s legacy. Cody vowed that he would do whatever it took to dethrone Reigns and become the Undisputed WWE Champion.
The tension reached its peak during the contract signing for the match. In a segment that left the WWE Universe buzzing, Roman Reigns leaned back in his chair, cool and confident, while Cody Rhodes, fueled by a decade of frustration and ambition, stared across the table with intensity. As they exchanged verbal jabs, it became clear that this match would not just be about wrestling; it was personal, and both men were willing to do anything to win.
The bell rang, and the atmosphere in the arena was electric. Roman Reigns, standing tall with his usual confident demeanor, immediately took control of the pace. He used his size and strength advantage to overpower Cody early on, locking him in a series of grapples and power moves to wear him down. Reigns executed his signature Samoan Drop with precision, sending Cody crashing to the mat, as the crowd roared in both support and opposition.
But Cody Rhodes was not intimidated. The son of “The American Dream” had been in tough battles before, and he knew how to fight back from adversity. After surviving Reigns’ early onslaught, Cody began to mount a counterattack, using his speed and technical prowess to keep Roman off balance. Cody landed a series of sharp kicks and high-flying moves that forced Reigns into a defensive posture. Cody’s athleticism was on full display as he leaped from the ropes to deliver a springboard cutter that brought the crowd to its feet.
As the match wore on, both competitors started to showcase their signature offense. Roman Reigns, ever the opportunist, landed a devastating Superman Punch that left Cody dazed. The Tribal Chief smirked, confident that he had the match in hand, but when he went for the pin, Cody kicked out at the last possible moment, sending shockwaves through the arena.
Cody, feeding off the energy of the crowd, responded with a burst of offense. He ducked under a Spear attempt from Reigns and countered with his signature Cross Rhodes finisher. The WWE Universe exploded in cheers as Cody hooked the leg for the pin, but once again, Reigns managed to kick out before the three-count, showing why he had held the championship for so long.
The match became a war of attrition, with both men digging deep into their arsenals. Roman Reigns targeted Cody’s midsection with punishing body blows and bear hugs, trying to sap Cody’s stamina. Cody, in turn, used his quickness to hit Roman with a flurry of dropkicks, suplexes, and devastating forearms, determined to wear down the champion.
Just when it seemed like Cody might have the upper hand, the inevitable happened—the Bloodline interfered. The Usos, ever loyal to Roman Reigns, rushed down to the ring, distracting the referee and providing Roman with a chance to recover. The interference allowed Roman to hit Cody with a thunderous Spear, but even then, Cody managed to kick out at two, displaying incredible heart and determination.
The interference didn’t stop there. Solo Sikoa, another key member of the Bloodline, entered the fray and tried to deliver a Samoan Spike to Cody. However, before he could connect, Cody’s longtime allies, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, stormed the ring to even the odds. The arena erupted in chaos as all six men brawled inside and outside the ring. The referee struggled to maintain control, as bodies flew everywhere, creating a chaotic scene that left the WWE Universe on the edge of their seats.
Despite the odds stacked against him, Cody Rhodes refused to give up. With The Usos and Solo neutralized by Owens and Zayn, Cody turned his focus back to Roman. In an incredible show of strength and resilience, Cody lifted Roman Reigns onto his shoulders and delivered a second Cross Rhodes, planting the Tribal Chief in the center of the ring. The WWE Universe counted along with the referee as Cody went for the pin—one, two—but once again, Roman Reigns kicked out at the last moment.
Cody, now running on pure adrenaline, pulled out all the stops. He climbed to the top rope and delivered a breathtaking moonsault, crashing down onto Roman with precision. The WWE Universe believed this might be the end for Reigns, but the champion, as always, found a way to survive, rolling out of the ring to catch his breath.
As the match approached its climax, both men were visibly exhausted, yet neither was willing to quit. Cody, determined to finish the match, set up Roman for a final Cross Rhodes, but before he could execute the move, Roman pulled the referee into the path of the attack, knocking the official unconscious.
With the referee down, Roman Reigns took advantage of the situation. In a shocking and underhanded move, Reigns delivered a low blow to Cody, capitalizing on the momentary distraction. As Cody writhed in pain, Reigns quickly followed up with a Spear, driving all of his weight into Cody with devastating force. The WWE Universe watched in disbelief as a second referee ran down to the ring and counted the pin—one, two, three.
Roman Reigns had retained the Undisputed WWE Championship, but the victory was tainted by the use of dirty tactics. The WWE Universe erupted in a mix of boos and cheers, with many feeling that Cody Rhodes had been robbed of his rightful moment. Roman stood tall, his hand raised in victory, but the manner of his win left a sour taste in the mouths of many fans.
As Roman Reigns celebrated his controversial victory, Cody Rhodes lay in the ring, defeated but not broken. His performance had earned him the respect of the WWE Universe, and many believed that his time would come. Despite the loss, Cody had proven that he could go toe-to-toe with the best in the business, and it seemed inevitable that he would get another shot at the title.
Roman Reigns, meanwhile, continued his reign of dominance, but the cracks in his armor were beginning to show. The interference of The Bloodline had played a crucial role in his victory, and questions were now being raised about how long Reigns could maintain his stranglehold on the WWE Championship without resorting to underhanded tactics.
The historic match between Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes may have ended with Reigns retaining the title, but the story is far from over. The WWE Universe is eagerly awaiting the next chapter in this intense rivalry, and when these two competitors meet again, it promises to be another epic encounter.
