Three Challengers Cody Rhodes Could Face at Backlash
On Saturday, May 4th the WWE’s 2024 Backlash pay-per-view will air in Décines-Charpieu Lyon Metropolis, France at the LDLC Arena. This could be the first time we see the new WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes defend his title after he “finished the story” by defeating Roman Reigns at WrestleMania XL. While we know The Rock will be a future opponent of Rhodes, the question is when that will be as this may be the big matchup heading into SummerSlam. Let’s check out three possible opponents Cody may face in a few weeks.
1. The Rock
If this matchup doesn’t happen at Backlash, expect The Rock to face the new WWE Universal Champion some time in 2024. This is probably Cody’s most clear-cut opponent, especially due to the fact the Rock has put Rhodes through pure hell the past few weeks on Monday Night Raw or on Friday Night SmackDown. The Rock has been talking smack about Rhodes, and his family while giving Cody the beatdown of his life. The WWE Universal Champion has certainly faced pressure when it comes to dealing with the People’s Champ, however after the longest tag-team match in WrestleMania history, I believe Rhodes now has the confidence and the belief he can defeat The Rock, and since the new champion took down The Bloodline, I don’t believe there will be any interference. Time will tell when these two greats step into the ring and face each other one-on-one.
2. Sheamus
It’s been reported for a while now, that four-time world champion Sheamus is looking to make a return to the WWE after being off for seven months recovering from a shoulder injury. There’s no doubt Sheamus will look to be a top card wrestler, and he’ll have his eyes on a championship belt, whether that’s the Universal Championship or the World Heavyweight Championship. Sheamus has numerous accolades throughout his career, more so in the WWE. He will look to gain the love of the crowd back and have a shot against Rhodes. If he starts to show up again on WWE TV, look for him to make a challenge to either champion, especially as we head into the next pay-per-view.
3. Seth “Freaking” Rollins
Here me out on this one, for the past few months, Seth “Freaking” Rollins has spent time reassuring and then helping Cody Rhodes out against The Bloodline at WrestleMania XL. Rollins wearing his old Shield attire was the pure reason why Roman Reigns focused his energy on Seth instead of his WrestleMania XL opponent in Rhodes. Through all of this, Rollins lost the WWE World Heavyweight Championship to Drew McIntyre, who went on to lose the title in a few short minutes to Damian Priest. Rollins may have helped Rhodes win the Universal Championship, but that may be for his own good, as he now has an opportunity to turn on the new champion and face him for the title. While we may not see this play out, because of the close relationship the two have built over the last several months, there’s definitely a possibility. Along with Reigns, and The Rock, Seth “Freaking” Rollins is one of the few wrestlers that actually make sense facing Cody at this time. If Rollins' attitude changes, and he decides to turn, look for him to try and make some moves to face off against the new Universal Champion.
