During the Royal Rumble event, Kevin Owens accidentally caused a significant injury to Cody Rhodes in a ladder match, leading to a rare backstage apology that has since captured fans’ attention. Owens checked on Rhodes immediately after powerbombing him onto a ladder, worried about the impact and Rhodes’ well-being. This moment of concern highlights the unexpected friendship that persists despite their intense on-screen rivalry.
The interaction was showcased in the WWE: Unreal docuseries available on Netflix, where Owens reassures Rhodes about the injury.
“I’m so sorry about the bomb. Because I wanted the ladder to be so that you could just 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, and I didn’t wanna put you too far…You ate it right on your neck. Are you okay?”
said Owens.
Despite storytelling that often pits them against each other, the two maintain a genuine friendship behind the scenes, which has become increasingly evident to WWE fans through such candid moments.
Cody Rhodes’ Upcoming Plans Amid WWE Championship Bid
Cody Rhodes is preparing to challenge John Cena for the Undisputed WWE Championship in a highly anticipated Street Fight scheduled for SummerSlam. However, Rhodes faces a potential hiatus from wrestling due to his growing Hollywood career. He is set to begin filming a Street Fighter movie in Australia this August, portraying the character Akuma.
Industry insiders expect this commitment to require a break of several weeks from in-ring competition. On the Wrestling with Freddie podcast, Jeff Dye estimated the time needed for filming and preparatory choreography, stating,
“It just depends how big the role of Akuma is going to be. I don’t imagine it being that big, that big. So I think it’ll be like a three-week job, you know what I mean? And he’ll get in there and get out. But there might be like rehearsals and all that stuff. And the fight scene rehearsals sometimes take a couple weeks. So, it could be up to, you know, five, six weeks with all that kind of crap ’cause you got to learn how to make the fight look sweet.”
If Rhodes takes this time off, he may miss key WWE events, including the Clash in Paris Premium Live Event scheduled for August 31. This crossroads in Rhodes’ career leaves fans curious about his future in wrestling and how his Hollywood role might affect his momentum in WWE.
Alexa Bliss Reflects on Connection with Bray Wyatt and Future in WWE
Alexa Bliss recently discussed her ongoing bond with the late Bray Wyatt, whose real name was Windham Rotunda, and how it influences her WWE storylines. In an interview with Fox News, Bliss shared her belief that their connection will continue to manifest, either through her possible involvement with the Wyatt Sicks faction or another unexpected angle.
“I always have the same answer to this because I truly believe it. Windham always said, ‘Alexa and I will always be connected, and when it happens and when we reconnect, it’s gonna be something big.’ So, whether that’s with the Wyatt Sicks or something else, I don’t know. Maybe we get a different side of Charlotte. I don’t know. It’s WWE, you never know what’s going to happen,” she said.
Currently, Alexa Bliss is enjoying success as a tag team partner with Charlotte Flair. They are set to challenge Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship at SummerSlam, adding excitement to the women’s division.
Abyss Announces Retirement, Focuses on Behind-the-Scenes Role in WWE
Veteran wrestler Abyss confirmed he has permanently retired from in-ring competition, focusing instead on his backstage producer duties within WWE. Speaking on the Getting Over: Wrestling podcast, Abyss expressed contentment with his role guiding talent and orchestrating matches.
“I’m done. I’m retired. And, you know, like I said, I couldn’t be happier, man, I have the greatest job in the world. You know, a producer for WWE, helping talent, producing matches, you know, watching them go out there, no matter who the talent is, and bring the story to life, you know, in front of millions of people. That is the most rewarding thing to me in the world. So physically, you know, in the ring, I’m done, you know, and I’m happy, you know, I couldn’t be happier. Like I said, this job, you know, it gets as much intrinsic reward from it than I did when I wrestled in the ring, you know, I really truly feel that way. So, I’m very fortunate to be where I am at.”
Abyss, who has been with WWE for nearly six years without wrestling under the company’s banner, has earned praise for his work behind the scenes. He notably produced the acclaimed Hell in a Cell match between Drew McIntyre and CM Punk at the Bad Blood event last year, solidifying his importance in WWE’s creative and production teams.
Behind the Scenes in WWE: The Complexities of Wrestling and Hollywood
The connection between wrestlers’ on-screen personas and their real lives was further illustrated by Kevin Owens’ sincere concern for Cody Rhodes’ injury. This overlap of performance and genuine care enriches fans’ understanding of the physical risks involved and bonds formed backstage.
Meanwhile, Rhodes’ growing involvement in Hollywood projects demonstrates the increasingly blurred line between sports entertainment and mainstream media. His anticipated absence to film the Street Fighter movie in Australia points to WWE talent branching out, which can impact storytelling and event lineups.
The ongoing narratives around Alexa Bliss and Bray Wyatt’s enduring legacy show how past relationships remain relevant in wrestling, contributing to dynamic storytelling that evolves with time. This, combined with Abyss’ transition to a producer role, reflects WWE’s layered approach to talent use both in-ring and behind the curtains.
As WWE continues to blend athleticism, scripted drama, and real-life developments, moments like Kevin Owens’ backstage apology and Cody Rhodes’ career crossroads will likely resonate deeply, shaping fans’ engagement with future storylines and events.
