WWE has faced backlash for its treatment of Cody Rhodes after he captured the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania XL by defeating Roman Reigns. Despite his major victory, Rhodes has struggled to maintain a compelling presence on WWE programming, prompting frustration among fans and industry insiders alike. The ongoing controversy centers on how WWE has failed to build on Rhodes’s momentum following his title win.
Veteran wrestling figure and former WWE head writer Vince Russo openly criticized the company during a recent podcast episode, accusing WWE of neglecting Rhodes after WrestleMania 40. Russo contrasted Rhodes’s current situation with legendary figures who received continued support and storylines even after losing championships.
When Austin didn’t have the title or he lost the title, bro, you always rallied behind Austin. You wanted him to get that title back. And bro, we can go back to Bruno. We can go back to Hulk Hogan. You know, when the babyface lost that title, you immediately were behind the babyface, wanting them to get that title back. Bro, I don’t think that’s going to be the case with Cody at all. They put that belt on Cody, and when he had that belt, they did not build him at all. So the original story is, ‘I got to finish the story, I got to finish the story.’ Okay, great. Since Cody has finished his story, they’ve done nothing with him.
?Vince Russo, Former WWE Head Creative Writer
Plans for WrestleMania 42 Involving Cody Rhodes Fall Apart
At the start of 2026, expectations were high that Cody Rhodes would headline WrestleMania 42 as the Undisputed WWE Champion. Instead, Rhodes lost the title to Drew McIntyre in a brutal Three Stages of Hell match recorded for SmackDown on January 9. This defeat altered the creative direction of WWE’s major event plans.
Initial speculation suggested Rhodes would face Roman Reigns in a marquee WrestleMania match. However, with Rhodes no longer champion and Reigns’s WWE return date uncertain, WWE’s creative team appears to have abandoned this matchup. Wrestling Observer Radio’s Dave Meltzer indicated the Rhodes/Reigns bout is unlikely to occur, as WWE aims to shake up its storytelling approach.
In the meantime, Drew McIntyre is slated to appear on SmackDown’s January 16 episode in Belfast, Ireland, signaling the promotion is shifting focus toward new storylines and talent.
Recent Developments and Related Wrestling News
Meanwhile, other major wrestling updates continue across promotions. A prominent WWE star has hinted that their in-ring career may be ending, while another wrestler revealed their dream opponent for a possible final match. Additionally, AEW saw a significant title change during its Maximum Carnage Collision event, highlighting ongoing shifts within the wrestling landscape.
Dominik Mysterio has also publicly mocked a former WWE competitor following a heartfelt social media post, while AEW’s Tony Khan further expanded the company’s international roster by signing multiple stars from the Mexican promotion CMLL.
Separately, WWE-affiliated Japanese wrestling promotion Marigold is preparing to celebrate the 15th anniversary of a legendary figure through a special event, reflecting the continuing ties between WWE and global wrestling traditions. A WWE icon recently spoke candidly about his career struggles, emphasizing the harsh realities faced by veteran wrestlers in today’s industry.
Cody Rhodes’s Recent Public Appearance After Title Loss
For the first time since relinquishing the WWE Championship, Cody Rhodes has been seen publicly, drawing attention from fans and media eager to gauge his next steps. His current status within WWE remains uncertain amid concerns about how the company values and promotes its talent following major achievements.
Implications for Cody Rhodes and WWE’s Creative Direction Going Forward
Cody Rhodes WWE treatment continues to be a point of contention among fans and wrestling experts, illustrating broader frustrations over WWE’s creative strategies. The lack of substantial storylines after Rhodes’s title reign raises questions about how consistently WWE supports its champions compared to past eras.
As WWE develops future programming and prepares for upcoming marquee events, the company faces pressure to restore faith among its audience by delivering more meaningful character development and sustained pushes for top-tier talent like Rhodes. How WWE manages Cody Rhodes’s trajectory in the near term could significantly affect fan engagement and the promotion’s overall credibility.
