Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes will never forget that it was the fans who helped make his historic victory at WrestleMania 40: Sunday a reality.
At the April 7, event, Rhodes ended the 1,316-day reign of Roman Reigns to become the new champion. Rhodes’ desire to ‘finish the story’ and capture a WWE World Championship (a feat his father never reached) has been pivotal to his career since returning to WWE in 2022.
Speaking on The Today Show, Rhodes reflected on his historic victory inside Lincoln Financial Field.
“Oh, it feels just so sweet. And it’s validating, because this main event yesterday, WrestleMania 40, it was totally willed into existence by the fans. We were going to go one way, we were thinking Rock Vs. Roman Reigns. They made it clear they wanted something else and we got to the finish line.”
At #WrestleMania 40, @CodyRhodes #CodyRhodes defeated Roman Reigns making him the @WWE undisputed universal champion.
He joins TODAY to talk about earning the belt and what his father, the late wrester Dusty Rhodes, would think about the achievement. #FinishTheStory pic.twitter.com/0SivtGch9b
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) April 8, 2024
We Want Cody
Rhodes’ win may have never happened if not for the WWE Universe. Despite Cody’s victory in the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble match, WWE teased a match between Reigns & The Rock during the following SmackDown.
Outraged at the prospect of the Hollywood star taking the opportunity from Rhodes, the WWE Universe responded in droves both at events and on social media. Chants of ‘Rocky Sucks’ would fill WWE events, a stark contrast to the usual reaction to the ‘People’s Champion.’
Realizing a change was needed, WWE had The Rock turn heel and Rhodes was thrust back into the Universal title picture. According to The Rock though, the plan was always for Rhodes Vs. Reigns, despite what was teased on-screen.