At WrestleMania 40, WWE Superstar Cody Rhodes faced off against Roman Reigns and The Bloodline in a highly anticipated match. Following his journey and having held the Undisputed Championship twice, Rhodes recently identified Solo Sikoa as the genuine Dusty Rhodes protégé, connecting his late father’s legacy to Sikoa’s rising prominence in WWE.
During an episode of his What Do You Wanna Talk About podcast with Rey Mysterio, Cody Rhodes reflected on his conversations with wrestling legends backstage. He shared how he believed that if his father, Dusty Rhodes, were still alive, he would have taken Solo Sikoa under his wing as a mentee.
“Right, but there was a guy I was watching, and I shared it with one other legend backstage the other day, ’cause I thought if my dad was still alive, that’d be his guy. And it was Solo Sikoa. And I couldn’t figure it out. I’m like, he would just eat him up.” ?Cody Rhodes, WWE Superstar
Solo Sikoa’s Emergence Beyond The Bloodline
Solo Sikoa has stepped out as an independent leader of his own faction, no longer relying on The Bloodline storyline for support. Currently engaged in a feud with The Wyatt Sicks, Sikoa has notably claimed Bray Wyatt’s lantern, a symbol connected to the Uncle Howdy persona of Wyatt’s crew. His achievements include holding the United States Championship and guiding his faction to secure the WWE Tag Team Championship twice during his tenure.
Cody Rhodes’ Continued Path to WrestleMania 42
At the 2026 Royal Rumble, Drew McIntyre eliminated Cody Rhodes after delivering a Claymore Kick, despite McIntyre not officially being part of the match. The interference extended to the February 13, 2026, episode of SmackDown, where McIntyre again attacked Rhodes during QB1’s Elimination Chamber qualifying match. After the Claymore Kick, McIntyre placed Sami Zayn on top of Rhodes, giving Zayn the win.
Despite these setbacks, Rhodes kicked out and ultimately won the qualifying match, keeping his dream of participating in WrestleMania 42 alive. However, a stipulation from his previous Three Stages of Hell match prevents him from challenging McIntyre directly for a rematch. Still, Rhodes can pursue a world title shot through other traditional avenues, much to McIntyre’s frustration. Whether Rhodes can win the Elimination Chamber and enter WrestleMania in Las Vegas as a championship contender remains a compelling storyline.
Cody Rhodes’ recognition of Solo Sikoa as a Dusty Rhodes figure not only honors his father’s legacy but also spotlights Sikoa’s evolution within WWE. This passing of the torch indicates a continuation of Dusty Rhodes’ influence on new generations of wrestlers, while Rhodes himself remains a key player in WWE’s big events and title picture.
