Cody Rhodes WWE burial concerns have emerged amid recent developments in WWE’s portrayal of its champions. Despite Cody Rhodes being the current Undisputed WWE Champion and positioned as a leading figure in the company since his 2022 return, some voices in wrestling question whether WWE is undermining his championship significance.
Rhodes has headlined WrestleMania events three years consecutively, establishing himself prominently as the company’s top babyface. Nevertheless, former Intercontinental Champion Lance Storm expressed doubts about WWE’s treatment of Rhodes’ legacy, suggesting that the promotion’s lingering endorsement of John Cena’s “Last Real Champion” title subtly diminishes Rhodes’ standing.
Discussion Around John Cena’s “Last Real Champion” Label
On Wrestling Observer Live, Lance Storm analyzed WWE’s continued use of the “Last Real Champion” phrase for John Cena, despite Cena’s current babyface role. Storm noted this label originally worked when Cena was a heel deliberately aiming to damage the wrestling business by claiming he would take the championship away upon retirement.
“The idea made sense when he was a heel and wanted to ruin the business. But since they’re not even acknowledging that he was a heel that tried to ruin the wrestling business, what is the benefit of saying he’s the Last Real Champion? Is Cody not a real champion? I thought Cody was important,” he said.
— Lance Storm, former Intercontinental Champion
Following Cena’s 17th WWE World Championship victory at WrestleMania 41, WWE has promoted him as the “Last Real Champion,” a storyline element reinforcing his championship legacy. Rhodes defeated Cena at SummerSlam in a Street Fight to claim the WWE Championship, signifying a crucial moment as Cena switched back to a babyface character. However, the persistent reference to Cena with this moniker raises questions about the credibility WWE grants to Rhodes’ title reign.
Cody Rhodes’ Impact and Upcoming Rivalries
Last week’s episode of SmackDown featured Drew McIntyre defeating Randy Orton in a hard-fought contest, after which McIntyre aggressively attempted to strike Orton with his Claymore Kick through the announce table. The drama escalated when Cody Rhodes made a surprise return after several weeks away, confronting McIntyre and setting the stage for a showdown.
Rhodes declared his intention to face McIntyre at the forthcoming Wrestlepalooza event, confirming their collision in a Title match scheduled for September 20. This match is eagerly anticipated, promising to be a significant chapter in Rhodes’ championship reign and a potential turning point for his legacy within WWE.
Significance of WWE’s Treatment of Rhodes’ Championship Status
The ongoing tension between WWE’s narrative positioning of Rhodes and Cena’s “Last Real Champion” label highlights deeper questions about championship validation in the company. While Rhodes is undeniably a central figure, the sustained emphasis on Cena’s prior status may inadvertently undermine Rhodes’ accomplishments. Given Rhodes’ history of multiple WrestleMania main events and his role as the current Undisputed WWE Champion, his recognition as a legitimate titleholder is pivotal for his long-term standing.
The match at Wrestlepalooza will be critical in demonstrating WWE’s commitment to elevating Rhodes or perpetuating ambiguity around his championship legacy. Fans and insiders alike will watch closely to see whether Rhodes receives the full endorsement necessary to solidify his place among WWE’s top stars or whether the “Last Real Champion” narrative continues to overshadow his reign.
