CM Punk and Cody Rhodes aren’t just fighting over the Undisputed WWE Championship at SummerSlam. According to Triple H, they’re fighting over something much bigger—the right to be the face of WWE.
While speaking to ESPN, WWE’s Chief Content Officer called Punk and Rhodes two of the biggest egos in the wrestling business, insisting he meant it as the highest compliment possible. In his mind, neither man is chasing the Undisputed WWE Championship because they need another title. They’re chasing it because both believe WWE should belong to them.
“Here we are all these years later with two of the biggest names in this business—and I mean this in the best way possible—the biggest egos in this business. That’s what this business really comes down to. It’s proving yourself.”
Triple H said that’s what separates them from everyone else. Neither Punk nor Rhodes wants to be part of the show—they want to be the show.
“These are two guys that—they don’t want to just be here. They don’t want to just be on the card. They don’t want to just be in a big match. They want this all to be about them. They want this promotion to be about them. They want the media to be about them. They want it all to be about them.”
That obsession isn’t an act, either. Triple H said Punk’s “Best in the World” mantra isn’t marketing, and Rhodes calling himself “QB1” isn’t just a nickname. Both men genuinely believe they’re the one who should be carrying WWE on their shoulders, which is why neither is willing to take a back seat.
“When CM Punk says ‘Best in the World,’ he means best in the world at everything to do with this business. When Cody Rhodes says ‘QB1,’ he means he’s running the show. He means it’s his team, his game, his ball.”
The rivalry has become so personal that Triple H admitted it’s even affecting their friendship away from the cameras. As SummerSlam gets closer, business is winning.
“They both have that mindset, which is incredible and creates an incredible rivalry. They’re friends outside of the ring, but that’s deteriorating quickly when it comes to business.”
Triple H believes that’s exactly why this feud has reached another level. Two men convinced they’re WWE’s true number one star were never going to settle things with words.
“I wouldn’t have seen this years ago, but I’m thrilled to be seeing it now. I think we’re in for something special here because, again, the egos on these guys will not allow them to be anything but number one.”
SummerSlam will settle more than who leaves with the Undisputed WWE Championship. If Triple H’s read on the situation is right, it will answer the question both Punk and Rhodes have been trying to prove for years: who truly deserves to be WWE’s undisputed top star.
Do you agree with Triple H, or is only one of CM Punk and Cody Rhodes truly worthy of being WWE’s No. 1 star? Let us know in the comments below.
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