Cody Rhodes successfully defended his WWE Championship against Drew McIntyre in the Wrestlepalooza main event, securing his place as the reigning champion heading into the Crown Jewel event. The highly anticipated match will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where Rhodes is set to headline with the title on the line.
Despite carrying the WWE Championship, Rhodes will not defend this specific title in Perth, Australia. Instead, he will compete for the Crown Jewel Championship for the second consecutive year, taking on Seth Rollins, who currently holds the other male world championship. Rollins secured his title by defeating Gunther at last year’s Crown Jewel show.
Rivalry Rekindled Between Rhodes and Rollins
At Wrestlepalooza, Seth Rollins participated in a mixed tag team match alongside Becky Lynch, facing off against CM Punk and AJ Lee, but the ongoing feud between Rollins and Cody Rhodes will soon take center stage. This upcoming clash will be their first televised meeting since their intense Hell in a Cell bout in June 2022, a match notable for Rhodes competing while injured with a torn pectoral muscle.
The confirmation of this match came after a tense staredown between the two during the Wrestlepalooza post-show, marking a significant moment for WWE as this long-running rivalry is reignited.
Shared History That Adds Depth to Their Next Encounter
Rhodes and Rollins have a complex relationship, not only as fierce rivals but also as recent tag team partners. At WrestleMania 40, they teamed up to face Roman Reigns and The Rock, with Rollins playing the role of ally against The Bloodline faction. Rollins’ assistance was pivotal in helping Rhodes capture the Undisputed WWE Championship from Reigns.
Since that victory, Rhodes and Rollins have had limited interaction, creating an intriguing backdrop for their forthcoming match. Their past partnership and rivalry deepen the storyline significantly, promising a layered confrontation full of emotional stakes and unresolved tension.
Crown Jewel’s Main Event: Unpredictability and High Stakes
While no official stakes beyond the championship are confirmed for the Crown Jewel main event, the narrative promises to be among WWE’s most compelling in 2025. Fans anticipate an unpredictable outcome, with notable stars like Drew McIntyre and CM Punk possibly influencing the match’s conclusion, adding further suspense to the event.
This showdown between Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins carries substantial weight, as it not only continues a personal storyline but also impacts the broader WWE championship landscape. The results could set the tone for future rivalries and character trajectories within WWE’s competitive scene.
Cody Rhodes 👀 Seth Rollins
Goosebumps. 😱
▶️ https://t.co/yqaFibOmjf pic.twitter.com/dSCYjSpYFl
— WWE (@WWE) September 21, 2025
