Ever since Vince McMahon revolutionized wrestling by uniting regional groups into a significant national empire, the WWE has gone through ups and downs that swing with changing tides and tastes.
For example, the once universally despised Cody Rhodes has not only become a major competitor but is the current undisputed champion.
However, his reign will be tested in Royal Rumble 2025, when he faces off against Kevin Owens in a belt-deciding ladder match!
Rhodes to Appear in Ladder Match in Title Defense
In Royal Rumble 2025, Cody Rhodes will face off against Kevin Owens in a Ladder Match to decide who deserves to be called the Undisputed WWE Champion.
During this event, both belts hang over the ring with just one ladder to get them.
Ladder matches are always some of the most exciting to watch, and this year’s is likely to go down in history as one of the best!
An Intense Career of Ups and Downs
Few current wrestlers have the pedigree of Cody Rhodes. As the son of the nearly God-level Dusty Rhodes, Cody had a lot to live up to in his career. From 2007 to 2016, he more than showed he could stand outside his father’s shadow by earning two Intercontinental Championships and six Tag Team Championships.
Not bad for someone who was barely out of his 20s.
Even though WWE fans sometimes clashed with Rhodes’ undeniably confident (some would say “cocky” personality), there was no denying his ability.
Aafter he briefly left the WWE to explore different opportunities, The American Nightmare re-exploded on the scene in WrestleMania 38 to take on Seth “Freakin’ Rollins in a Hell in a Cell Clash for the ages.
Amazingly, Rhodes competed in this devastating match with a torn pectoral muscle, somehow more than holding his own against the always competitive Rollins.
Now that he was back, Rhodes was as confident as ever but now a fan favorite, as he became only the fourth wrestler ever to win back-to-back Royal Rumbles (doing so in 2023 and 2024), showing off his dominance.
Even though his spotlight dimmed during WrestleMania XL due to the always fantastic The Rock, he returned with a vengeance during the title match to take on Roman Reigns.
Despite losing in a tag team match against The Rock and Reins on the first night, he came out ahead (thanks to some support from The Undertaker and John Cena) to win the Bloodline Rules Match.
Now, as the King of Wrestling (unofficially), Rhodes is learning that it’s lonely at the top. Everybody is out for blood and wants to throw the ruler off his throne.
Owens, whose star has continued to rise in recent years, could be poised to do just that. However, he’s going to have to go through a gauntlet against Rhodes to have any chance of truly competing.
The Suspense is Palpable
Will Rhodes’ reign as the King of the Ring end with Owens on top of a ladder, gloating about his success? Or can he hold onto his championship against a competitor who looks more than ready to take his place among the WWE’s biggest names?
Fans everywhere have their opinions, of course, and there are Owenstans and Rhodes Boys worldwide who will be watching every moment with pure excitement!
