Cody Rhodes Addresses Winged Eagle WWE Title Hype
Cody Rhodes got the wrestling world talking when he apparently teased bringing back the Winged Eagle belt to WWE and now he confirms he’d love to do just that.
The Winged Eagle WWE Championship was only showcased for a decade in the company but 25 years after its demise it is still one of the most popular belt designs in wrestling history.
Hulk Hogan was the first champion to wear the title in February 1988 with legends such as Andre The Giant, Randy Savage, Ric Flair, The Undertaker, Ultimate Warrior, Sgt Slaughter, Bret Hart, Yokozuna, Shawn Michaels, Bob Backlund, Diesel, and Sycho Sid all holding that version of the championship.
Stone Cold Steve Austin won the Winged Eagle at WrestleMania 14 when he defeated Shawn Michaels but that was the only time Austin held that version of the belt as the next night on Raw he was presented with the belt dubbed “Big Eagle.”
Cody Rhodes is in line for a title shot at WrestleMania 39 following his win in the 2023 men’s Royal Rumble. As of now, Rhodes is set to challenge the man who holds both the WWE and Universal Championships, Roman Reigns.
The American Nightmare has set tongues wagging on what version of the title belt he would want to hold should he win the gold after taking to social media to share a photo of the hallowed Winged Eagle.
Speaking on WWE’s The Bump, Cody Rhodes was asked about his post and says it’s maybe just a pipe dream but that it would be fun to bring the iconic title back:
“Through my youth, the WWE that I was watching was really synonymous with the Winged Eagle. I think a lot of people love the Winged Eagle design. Some people love the big eagle, but the Winged Eagle was the one for me and today’s design with the giant W is also incredibly special because it’s a walking billboard for the promotion. It was just a pipe dream.”
“I post that and I don’t want people to think I’m calling a shot. I don’t want people to think I’m going into business for myself. The reality is, I was able to change the Intercontinental Championship once before and it seemed absurd.”
“If I’m able to get to the finish line, the biggest WrestleMania of all-time, SoFi in Hollywood, If I’m able to get to the finish line and get my hands on these things that have alluded my family up until now it would just be kind of a fun, maybe it’s just a pipe dream, maybe it’s just thought, a glimmer, but it would be fun to say, ‘Let’s just boil them down and bring back the Winged Eagle.’ This is just me talking.”