Under the lights of WWE’s biggest party of the summer, the story of Cody Rhodes took a new turn as the American Nightmare recaptured the WWE Championship with a riveting redemption, claiming victory over John Cena. In a main-event Street Fight that will be replayed for years to come, the now two-time champion overcame the Greatest of All Time when he delivered a Cody Cutter through a table before hitting the decisive Cross Rhodes for the pinfall victory.
The clash will be remembered as one of Rhodes’ greatest. In fact, Dave Meltzer considers it his joint best effort ever, grading the contest five stars alongside the veteran's clash with CM Punk at Money in the Bank 2011. 31 minutes, multiple near-falls, two escapes from Cena’s signature STF, and—perhaps most crucially—a loss avenged that had haunted Rhodes since the heartbreak of WrestleMania 41. The American Nightmare finally banished the ghost of defeat from Las Vegas, and now he is said to head back to Sin City as champion once again.
Back in April, online sportsbooks didn't fancy Cody's chances at retaining the gold when he met Cena the first time around. The popular Bovada online sportsbook listed the champion as a +175 underdog, and ultimately, they were proven correct when the Leader of the Cenation claimed a record-breaking 17th title. Now, oddsmakers begin to turn their gaze to next April, but who are the likely candidates to stand opposite Rhodes? Let's take a look.
Who's leaving #WrestleMania as the Undisputed Champion?
— Bovada (@BovadaOfficial) March 3, 2025
John Cena -250
Cody Rhodes +175 pic.twitter.com/xzCpYm8zoD
The Rock
Few names command headlines—inside or outside the squared circle—like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. WWE writers have fanned the flames of a one-on-one clash with Rhodes ever since The Rock’s shocking heel turn during the WrestleMania 40 build. There, he demolished Rhodes physically, pinning him in a tag team match on night one of WrestleMania Philadelphia before showing up on the following Monday Night Raw and declaring that the pair's story was just beginning. The echoes of that beatdown, and The Rock’s ominous partnership with a heel Cena, earlier this year, have never truly faded.
Since then, however, The Rock has operated in the shadows, unseen on WWE TV since that fateful February night in Toronto. But his influence is everywhere, from TKO Group boardrooms to the mythic streets of Las Vegas itself. A “Rhodes vs The Rock” main event would break all historic merchandise and streaming records at the Showcase of the Immortals, while giving the American Nightmare a chance to get revenge for years of torment.
CM Punk
There’s an electric current that runs through WWE every time CM Punk’s name enters the conversation. Before the 2025 Royal Rumble, that charge became thunder—a volatile confrontation with Rhodes turned the moment viral overnight. At the same event the year before, Rhodes eliminated Punk to win his second straight Rumble match.
What makes Punk such a menacing threat for Mania season? First, his history: Punk and Rhodes charted parallel revolts in AEW and crossed swords at WWE productions. Second, his crowd-pulling power with many fans already considering him a dream opponent for Cody at Mania 42. The two have never met one-on-one in a high-stakes match-up, so this could be a fascinating opportunity.
Punk’s return in 2024 proved he can manipulate a crowd and an opponent like no one else. If WWE allows tension to simmer, refusing to blow off their conflict before spring, the result is a masterclass of emotional storytelling: two visionaries, one stage, no safety rails.
Randy Orton
Strip away the pyrotechnics, and wrestling’s greatest stories are about relationships. No history on the current roster is as thick with betrayal and brotherhood as Cody Rhodes versus Randy Orton. Former Legacy allies, once bound by mutual ambition and bloodlines, now divided by the sharpest edge of competition.
Pre-Mania 41, Orton’s intentions have been laser-focused. Before the Las Vegas showdown, Orton crystallized the stakes: “I will become a 15-time champion—and I’ll do it at your expense.” Then, Cody lost the title, and the Viper got his shot at the gold, ultimately losing due to the underhanded tactics of John Cena. Now, however, following his SummerSlam triumph, the title is back on Rhodes, and a dream match between the new champ and his former mentor is on once again.
Their King of the Ring showdown at Night of Champions ended with a sense of unfinished business that even a neutral observer could feel. WWE’s creative direction hasn’t been subtle: An Orton heel turn, if timed for the Road to WrestleMania, would supercharge the storyline.
Roman Reigns
No main event feels as inevitable—or as loaded with meaning—as Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns III. Statistically, this is the money match. Their previous two Mania encounters produced WWE’s highest-grossing PLEs of all time, and industry-wide buzz eclipsed only by iconic bouts like Hogan-André and Austin-Rock.
The data doesn’t lie. WrestleMania 40 saw Rhodes end Roman’s 1,316-day reign of terror, forever altering the company’s balance of power. Now, with Reigns battling Seth Rollins, the thoughts of a trilogy are fairly distant. However, the fire still burns in the background, and if Reigns comes undone in his Rollins drama, a Royal Rumble victory in February could lead him back to Cody Rhodes.
Is Reigns ready to reclaim his empire after what will be two years away from the throne? Or will Cody prove he’s not just champion by opportunity, but by inevitability? We may well find out.
