H Jenkins on January 27, 2025
The January 27 episode of WWE RAW went to the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. That city is very special for Cody Rhodes, and he was on hand for the Royal Rumble go-home show.
Although he was no longer carrying his title belt, the Undisputed World Champion was on hand for the Netflix show this week. He was there to put the finishing touches on his match against Kevin Owens.
The American Nightmare made his first appearance during this week’s show as he chased off Drew McIntyre after he tried to beat Sami Zayn down after their match. Cody wasn’t in the ring for long until Kevin Owens jumped him from behind.
Kevin and Cody brawled into the corner, where the American Nightmare beat him down. Then Drew McIntyre helped Owens as he dragged him away and pushed him into the corner. Then Sami Zayn came in with a Helluva Kick on McIntyre, but he moved and Cody ate Zayn’s finisher.
Kevin Owens gave Sami Zayn a little pat on the chest, and then he left as the Underdog From The Underground remained in the ring, looking quite distraught by what happened. Cody Rhodes certainly didn’t have the segment in his home city that he had hoped for.
Sami Zayn cussed himself and was very upset as he left the arena. He said that he was sorry over and over again as he left to the backstage area. Cody Rhodes remained in the ring, and he eventually got his sense back.
After he composed himself, Cody Rhodes had a chance to speak to the Atlanta fans. As Cody got back to his feet, he cut a promo to his fans. He said it’s not about the belt that hangs above the ring, it’s a mindset, it’s the work. He then said that nobody in WWE has worked more matches than him, and he is looking forward to the Royal Rumble, where he can move past Kevin Owens. That is when CM Punk’s music hit.
CM Punk asked Cody Rhodes if he is alright, because he worries about him. He said that everything looks like he’s going through is getting to him. Punk knows what it’s like to be WWE Champion, and he said that he himself has been burned out in the past because of the title. Punk told Cody that nobody is Superman, and then Cody asked Punk if he’s his friend.
Punk said that he will always be Cody Rhodes’ friend, partly because of a promise he made to Dusty Rhodes, but also because he loves him. Then Cody asked Punk to tell him what’s next for him. After taking a moment, CM Punk told Cody that he gets to sleep in his own bed tonight, because he’s in his home city, but he probably won’t sleep at all, because he has media to do for the Royal Rumble.
CM Punk went on to say that no matter how thin Cody Rhodes is stretched, it won’t matter, and that’s what he has in store for him. Punk mentioned all the kids who wear American Nightmare merchandise, and how someone will win the Royal Rumble and they will face him at WrestleMania 41, and they will take that Undisputed WWE Title from him, and that’s the good news.
Cody Rhodes then told CM Punk to tell him the bad news. Then Punk said the bad news is that he is the one who will be taking that title. Punk then declared that he will win the Royal Rumble, and he will face him at WrestleMania. Since he’s Cody’s friend, he will stab him from the front, and not the back. That is when Cody Rhodes ran through their brief history together as he chased him in WWE as Punk was on top years ago, but that dynamic has shifted now, because Punk is now chasing him. Rhodes also said he’s rooting for Punk, because the Best in the World will soon discover that he isn’t the Best in the World anymore if he wins the Royal Rumble.
Cody Rhodes will battle Kevin Owens in a ladder match at the Royal Rumble this Saturday. They surrendered titles to Shawn Michaels at Saturday Night’s Main Event, which will be hung over the ring in Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium. We will have to see who wins the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble.
What’s your take on Cody Rhodes’ road to the Royal Rumble? Let us know what you think in the comments section!
January 27, 2025 10:42 pm
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