Cody Rhodes Explains His Mindset As WWE Champion Compared To Roman Reigns
As the Undisputed WWE Champion, Cody Rhodes is out there defending the championship regularly unlike his predecessor Roman Reigns.
During his 1,316-day reign as the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, Roman Reigns was known for being a part-time champion. While Reigns held the Universal Title itself for about three and a half years, he didn’t defend it vigorously.
Due to his lack of title matches on television, Reigns was often criticized by fans for working a reduced schedule. In Reigns’ defense, he is also living with leukemia and is married with five children at home, so it’s understandable if a man wants to be at home more.
At WrestleMania 40, Cody Rhodes put an end to the Tribal Chief’s stranglehold on the WWE Championship when the American Nightmare hit Reigns with the Cross Rhodes three times in a row leading to the pinfall victory to become the WWE Champion for the first time.
While Cody Rhodes may have “finished his story” by winning the WWE Championship that his father Dusty and brother Dustin never won, the work doesn’t stop there. Cody is not working a part-time schedule like Reigns did since he is on SmackDown every Friday while also working many live events and headlining the PLE shows.
Cody Rhodes spoke to WHAS11 about how his WWE Championship reign differs from Roman Reigns.
“I think one of the things I really love is the fact that I am able to go city to city. Whereas the WWE Champion prior to myself, the man I defeated, Roman Reigns, the Tribal Chief, was not on every city.”
“He wasn’t making it to every show. And I’ve had the opportunity to be able to bring it – and for a year I felt like I was the champion without the belt. I was everywhere promising them, ‘Hey, I’m gonna bring you the WWE Championship’. It feels good when you can fulfil your promise and go back to these places and bring this (title).”
How Will Cody Rhodes Respond To What AJ Styles Did On WWE SmackDown?
Since winning the WWE Championship, Cody Rhodes has successfully defended it against AJ Styles at Backlash France and against Logan Paul at King and Queen of the Ring.
While Cody likely thought his rivalry with Styles was done, the Phenomenal One had another idea on the May 31st edition of Smackdown when he faked a retirement during a main event promo. Styles lured Cody in and did a cheap attack that ended with Styles giving Rhodes a Styles Clash on Smackdown.
As for how Cody Rhodes will respond, in the WWE.com preview of Smackdown, they noted that Cody is looking for a fight with Styles. This should lead to another WWE Championship match between Rhodes and Styles. Tune in to Smackdown on June 7th to find out what happens next.