Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, who recently rejoined WWE after leaving AEW, is reportedly poised to face another former AEW star for the WWE Title soon. Since his return, fans have been anticipating a high-stakes match involving Rhodes and CM Punk—a fellow ex-AEW talent—who have yet to meet in singles competition despite their prominence. This growing anticipation highlights the brewing potential for a headline WWE event that features both former AEW stars vying for the championship.
Background: AEW Stars Transitioning to WWE
Following Cody Rhodes’ return to WWE, several other key AEW personalities have made the leap to the Stamford-based promotion. Alongside Rhodes and CM Punk, wrestlers like Penta, Rey Fenix, Jade Cargill, and Blake Monroe have joined WWE’s roster, marking a significant talent influx from AEW. However, despite these roster changes, certain high-profile matches—especially between Rhodes and Punk—have not yet been booked, leaving fans eager for confirmation.
Insights from Wrestling Insider Bill Apter on Potential Showdowns
Veteran journalist Bill Apter recently weighed in on the possibility of a Rhodes versus Punk main event for the WWE world title. Speaking on the Legion of RAW podcast, Apter noted that fans have been clamoring for this match since their AEW days and expressed surprise that WWE has not yet teased a clash between the two. He emphasized how much excitement such a match could generate, underscoring the missed opportunity so far.
“In AEW, the match that the fans craved was Cody Rhodes against CM Punk. I thought, when Punk was talking about Cody, that he was gonna go and say that he would challenge the winner of maybe the Seth Rollins Cody match. Just blatantly somehow give a thought about ‘I’d like to wrestle Cody down the road,’ which I think would be absolutely something the fans would be blown away with, that match. Why are they not even teasing anything like that at this point?” Apter said.
— Bill Apter, Veteran Wrestling Journalist
Recent WWE Events Involving Cody Rhodes
While the much-anticipated match with CM Punk remains unconfirmed, Cody Rhodes has directed his focus towards Seth Rollins, a longtime rival of Punk. The two champions are scheduled to face off at the upcoming WWE Crown Jewel event for the Men’s Crown Jewel Championship. Rhodes notably won this prestigious title last year by defeating Gunther at the same event, adding another chapter to his growing list of achievements.
Significance and What WWE Fans Can Expect Next
Cody Rhodes’ return to WWE and his pursuit of the WWE Title continue to energize the wrestling community, especially given the tectonic shift of multiple AEW stars joining WWE. A confirmed Rhodes-Punk matchup could redefine WWE’s competitive landscape and offer fans a thrilling storyline that has been long awaited. With Rhodes and Rollins set to collide soon, WWE’s creative direction may soon clarify the future of other high-profile rivalries, potentially setting the stage for the Rhodes versus Punk showdown that fans crave.
