The creative nightmare that is Cody Rhodes’ dream matches

History shows that a match between heroes does more harm than good.

Following a successful defense of the Undisputed WWE Championship at Backlash, Cody Rhodes spoke with the media, where he discussed his future opponents. Amidst the expected mentions of Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins, Rhodes intriguingly threw the names of LA Knight and Randy Orton into the mix, sparking excitement among fans. However, these potential matchups, while tantalizing, could pose creative challenges for WWE without much payoff.

Rhodes acknowledged an important issue in facing Knight, which also applies to Orton: they’re all good guys. While this might not seem significant, history shows such matchups can be counter-productive.

In 1972, only 20,000 people attended “The Match of the Century” between WWE Champion Pedro Morales and former champ Bruno Sammartino at New York’s Shea Stadium, which could seat nearly 60,000. While inclement weather was a factor, the event didn’t draw well despite the immense hype. Similarly, at WrestleMania VI in 1990, Hulk Hogan faced the Ultimate Warrior in a highly anticipated match. Although they packed the SkyDome in Toronto with almost 70,000 fans, pay-per-view buys were significantly lower than the previous year’s WrestleMania, where the heroic Hogan fought the villainous “Macho Man” Randy Savage.

In modern times, a battle between two white hats may not have trouble selling out an arena or stadium as tickets for WWE’s shows go on sale months in advance before a card is announced. The current popularity of its product also makes it more likely that the event will be a sell-out or close to as an event draws near. With streaming overtaking pay-per-view, the focus is now on premium live events (PLEs), and the numbers that WWE’s PLEs generate almost assuredly please its streaming partner, Peacock.

However, the creative challenge that WWE is unlikely to overcome is the potential damage to Rhodes’ popularity if he’s placed in a situation where fans must choose between supporting The American Nightmare against either Knight or Orton. If audiences turn against Rhodes, it could jeopardize his future, which may include a potential showdown with The Rock, and lead to him losing the title he worked hard to attain.

From the 1960s into the 1970s, Bruno Sammartino was wrestling’s most beloved hero and the pride of New York. Still, that didn’t stop fans from booing him when he faced off with Pedro Morales in 1972. Ultimately, the masses in New York couldn’t stay mad at Sammartino for long. But in 2024, where audiences are more fickle, WWE could derail Rhodes’ momentum as its popular leading man.

WWE, Pro Wrestling Illustrated

Where Rhodes is likely to be outdone by Knight is on the microphone. While Rhodes has dialed up the heat on his promos, he remains relatively passive and over-rehearsed. That might make him seem uncool next to Knight, whose blunt matter of speech is what got him over with audiences. If Knight can cook Cody on the mic, it could lead to an unwelcome reception for Rhodes during their match. And if Rhodes retains, that outcome might not go over well with spectators, who may see Rhodes for what he’s becoming: WWE’s corporate champion.

Since Rhodes is WWE’s long-term investment, the solution would be to turn Knight into a villain. However, this move carries the risk of WWE losing a top merchandise seller in Knight. Additionally, there’s no guarantee that audiences would automatically support Rhodes, potentially impacting his merchandise sales.

The same applies to Rhodes’ other dream match scenario against Randy Orton, though a date with Orton is slightly more complex.

There’s a tipping point where a wrestler’s longevity results in admiration regardless of their past alignment as a hero or villain. For example, in 2002, fans favored the New World Order’s Hulk Hogan over The Rock despite Hogan previously attempting vehicular homicide against The People’s Champion. That shift in perception is also evident with John Cena. Those who once passionately chanted, “John Cena Sucks,” as he made his way to the ring now enthusiastically applaud the man they didn’t want to see for so many years.

In Orton’s case, he’s been a mainstay on WWE screens for over 20 years and is currently in the midst of a captivating love affair with the WWE Universe. Following a return from a nearly two-year hiatus due to a back injury, the typically stoic Orton seems to be thoroughly enjoying himself. Perhaps the realization of how quickly his life and career could change has given him a newfound appreciation for his role as a WWE superstar. His eyes light up with excitement when crowds cheer for him. At SmackDown and Backlash in France, Orton seemed particularly grateful as fans sang along to his entrance theme, a first in his career.

Thus, a heel turn for Orton might fall flat as not many people are interested in rooting against him. Given that he was gone for so long and knowing that his days are winding down, it may make The Viper a more sympathetic figure, which wouldn’t bode well for Rhodes.

There might be a future opportunity for Rhodes to test himself against Knight and Orton, but now isn’t the right time. Instead, he and WWE should focus on building an antagonist that will maintain his popularity. That strategy will not only improve his chances of securing a lucrative match with The Rock but also ensure that Rhodes continues his story as champion after the dust settles.