Cody Rhodes Wanted Brother Love to Present the Winged Eagle Title

Cody Rhodes finally got his wish when the classic Winged Eagle Championship returned in late 2024—but he originally had a very different vision for how it would be unveiled.

Speaking with Bruce Prichard on What Do You Want To Talk About?, Rhodes revealed that he pitched the idea of Prichard returning as his iconic character Brother Love to personally present him with the title at Saturday Night’s Main Event in December.

“I knew Brother Love wasn’t coming back when I asked you to be Brother Love to present me with the Winged Eagle Title. I wanted it. I think I said as if it was a joke, and you’re like, ‘Haha, no.’ I wanted Brother Love in the ring going into Saturday Night’s Main Event with the Winged Eagle Title.”

While the Brother Love return never happened, Rhodes ended up using the Winged Eagle belt throughout his feud with Kevin Owens, which culminated in a ladder match at the Royal Rumble 2025. Instead of the Brother Love moment, Cody got another memorable one with Triple H.

“I ended up doing the Pulp Fiction with Triple H in the case, but I’m looking and there is a Winged Eagle off in the distance. I’m not going to ask you when Brother Love is coming back, because I’d be hot if Brother Love comes back.”

The Winged Eagle holds a special place in WWE history as the championship design made famous in the late 1980s and 1990s. For Rhodes, bringing it back wasn’t just about nostalgia—it was about fulfilling a vision that connected his love of wrestling history with his current run at the top.