During the July 18th episode of WWE SmackDown, a dramatic incident unfolded involving Solo Sikoa and his faction, the MFT, who were at the center of a suspicious car crash. This roadside event quickly escalated when Sikoa was revealed as the orchestrator of the crash, an act deemed fraudulent within the storyline. As police detained Sikoa and escorted him backstage, he encountered Cody Rhodes, widely known as The American Nightmare, and urgently sought his assistance. Despite the plea, Rhodes chose to ignore Sikoa’s request and walked away, signaling a tense dynamic rooted in their history.
This refusal represents a significant moment given Rhodes’s reputation for compassion, demonstrated in past alliances with prominent figures like Roman Reigns and The Rock. Rhodes’s choice to deny Sikoa support hints at a growing rift and fuels speculation about a possible heel turn at the upcoming SummerSlam 2025 event, where Rhodes might embrace a darker persona.
Rhodes Addresses Criticism Surrounding His WrestleMania 41 Encounter with John Cena
Earlier this month, Rhodes publicly responded to widespread criticism over his WrestleMania 41 match against John Cena, where Cena claimed his 17th World title by defeating Rhodes. The bout sparked considerable debate among fans and wrestling commentators alike. Speaking on the Busted Open podcast, Rhodes expressed his intention to take full responsibility for fans’ dissatisfaction and focus on delivering a more satisfying performance at SummerSlam.
“SummerSlam, I don’t wanna go as far as making any promises, but I can tell you the goal with SummerSlam is if people felt a certain way about WrestleMania, I will put that all on my back and take all the credit and responsibility for perhaps not feeling satisfied. I’d like to get ‘em to the finish line with SummerSlam. Very much looking forward to doing this dance again.” —Cody Rhodes, Wrestler
His remarks highlight a commitment to redeeming himself and ensuring that SummerSlam meets or exceeds fan expectations, setting the stage for significant developments in his career trajectory.
Potential Implications for Rhodes’s Character and WWE Storylines
Rhodes’s rejection of Sikoa’s plea and acknowledgment of previous setbacks position him as a figure on the cusp of change within WWE’s evolving narratives. The fallout from the car crash incident intensifies ongoing rivalries and character arcs heading into one of the sport’s biggest annual events. Fans and analysts will be closely watching to see if Rhodes’s rumored heel turn materializes, which could dramatically shift the dynamics on SmackDown and beyond.
The handling of these events not only impacts individual storylines but also reflects WWE’s broader approach to character development and audience engagement in the months leading up to SummerSlam 2025.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did John Cena betray Cody Rhodes?
A. Cena’s problem with Rhodes was that he felt Rhodes wasn’t genuine. This reflected the real tension affecting their rivalry in the storyline.
Q. Is Roman Reigns friends with Cody Rhodes in real life?
A. Cody Rhodes has stated that he and Roman Reigns are merely co-existing, indicating they are not friends before Bad Blood 2024. Triple H has created some great storylines. This means Cody needs to be near Roman to remain important since Roman’s return.
Q. Are Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes friends in real life?
A. Randy Orton believes a 31-year-old wrestler can team up with him and Cody Rhodes to face The Rock and John Cena’s group. Orton and Rhodes have a real-life friendship.
