During the 2025 Royal Rumble, Kevin Owens quickly expressed remorse to Cody Rhodes after a perilous bump in their intense ladder match for the Undisputed Championship. The incident unfolded when Owens, known as The Prizefighter, powerbombed Rhodes, The American Nightmare, through a ladder while positioned on the second rope, creating a potentially serious situation as it appeared Rhodes landed on his neck.
Despite their fierce rivalry inside the ring, Owens showed genuine concern for Rhodes’s wellbeing immediately after the match, highlighting the gravity of the moment amid a heated contest that tested both competitors physically and mentally.
Behind the Scenes Apology Captured on WWE: Unreal
The apology took place backstage, revealed in an episode of Netflix’s WWE: Unreal, which offers fans insight into the realities behind wrestling’s scripted conflicts. After their brutal encounter, Owens approached Rhodes in a hallway moment, still visibly battered, to address the incident directly. The remorse in Owens’s voice reflected his worry about the dangerous landing and its consequences.
“So sorry about the bomb. I wanted the ladder to be, so that you could go straight, because I can’t see where I put you. But you put it the other way, so I kind of had to walk with you. I didn’t want to put you too far, so then it looked like sh*t. And you ate it right on your neck. Are you okay?” —Kevin Owens, WWE Star
Rhodes reassured Owens that although it seemed severe, he had landed forward, missing his neck, and was in stable condition. The exchange ended with Owens feeling relieved and preparing to contact his family, illustrating the close-knit nature of the wrestling community despite on-screen hostilities.
Context and Implications for WWE Storylines
This confrontation highlights not only the physical dangers wrestlers face but also the professionalism behind their craft. Owens’s apology underscores the constant risk in executing high-impact maneuvers, especially in demanding match types like ladder bouts. Meanwhile, outside this moment, Owens was linked to significant storyline developments, including a planned role in John Cena’s surprising heel turn facilitated by The Rock, adding layers to ongoing WWE narratives.
The Cody Rhodes unsafe bump apology serves as a reminder of the unpredictability inherent in wrestling events and the respect performers maintain for each other’s safety. Fans can expect further developments from both men as they continue to build on their rivalry and contribute to WWE’s evolving drama.
