Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns courtesy of WWE
Originally published on August 12, 2024.
The following content reflects my personal opinion and should be interpreted as such. Any views expressed here are solely mine and do not represent any official stance. This opinion piece is intended for entertainment and discussion purposes only, and should not be construed as factual information or professional advice. Reader discretion is advised.
I never thought I’d see the day when Roman Reigns would emerge from the Gorilla Position to a more thunderous reception than our current reigning and defending Undisputed Universal Champion, Cody Rhodes. Yet, here we are. Stranger things have happened in the wrestling world over the past year, after all. Who would have predicted Mercedes Moné (formerly Sasha Banks) signing with AEW, or the rumors of Shane McMahon possibly following suit? And what about Andrade, Ethan Page, and Shawn Spears trading in their AEW gear for WWE superstardom? Not to mention the whispers of Bobby Lashley, Ricochet, and even CM Punk making a comeback after a decade-long hiatus. The wrestling world has been abuzz with surprises, but none have left me more stunned than the notion that Roman Reigns has eclipsed Cody Rhodes as the bigger fan favorite.
It’s astonishing to think about how this shift in dynamics occurred. Roman Reigns was, after all, the central figure in Cody Rhodes’ ‘Finishing the Story’ narrative — the obstacle standing between Cody and the championship his late father never held. Roman was the pillar, the catalyst that fueled Cody’s journey. And yet, after a mere four-month absence, Roman managed to not only make the fans yearn for his return, but also acknowledge him as the undisputed ‘Tribal Chief’ — nothing less, nothing more. It’s as if his time away from the spotlight only strengthened his connection with the audience, leaving them eager to welcome him back with open arms.
So was he right?
Did the absence of him make our hearts grow fonder of him?
Did he prove the “grass was not gonna be greener” with him gone?
Was this only a taste of what we assume is the pending doom of Roman actually walking away from wrestling for good?
Only time will reveal how much longer we’ll have the Tribal Chief’s presence on a permanent basis, but one thing is certain: he won’t depart quietly, nor will he relinquish control to his young cousin until he deems him worthy. Despite Solo’s efforts to rebuild the Bloodline with newcomers like Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, and Jacob Fatu, it’s clear that the new iteration lacks the original’s depth of loyalty, family ties, and unbreakable bond. The original Bloodline, comprised of Roman, Jimmy, and Jey Uso, was forged through a potent mix of blind loyalty and fear.
Roman wielded a profound influence over his twin cousins, one that was palpable to fans and observers alike. His authority was absolute: when he wanted something, he got it, and if he didn’t, he’d stop at nothing to take it by force. This dynamic played out countless times, leaving fans stunned when Jey, with Jimmy’s help, finally broke free from Roman’s grasp and set out to forge his own legacy, separate from the Bloodline’s shadow.
And then, of course, there’s the wildcard introduction of The Rock as the ultimate authority figure. Honestly, I think The Rock might not be thrilled about Roman’s return and his plans to reclaim his spot at the top. Like many fans, I believe The Rock will view Roman through the same lens as Solo: a loser and a coward for abandoning his post. The Rock might see this as the perfect opportunity to usher in a new era, with fresh blood and a new leader — under his guidance, naturally. This could propel Roman into a babyface role, driven by the fans’ desire to see him overcome the odds and prove himself as the true ‘Head of the Table’.
The crowd will likely rally behind Roman, eager to see him defeat his cousin The Rock and assert his dominance. Unfortunately, this might relegate Cody to a secondary role, which raises an intriguing question: Can Cody and Roman coexist on the same brand, on the same side, with Cody as the champion, and still have Roman be the more revered figure? Can Cody’s title reign be seen as legitimate and meaningful with Roman looming large in the background?
It’s disheartening to think that Cody’s moment in the sun might be eclipsed by Roman’s return. We all invested in Cody’s journey, cheering him on as he sought to ‘finish the story’ and become the champion he was meant to be. We envisioned him as the face of the company, the people’s champ, shaking hands and taking photos with adoring fans. But with Roman now back in the picture, fighting for his very legacy, will Cody’s title reign be relegated to the background?
Will the fans’ attention and adoration shift to Roman, leaving Cody to fade into the shadows? It’s hard to imagine Cody’s championship run being seen as anything more than a placeholder until Roman reclaims his rightful spot at the top. The thought of it is deflating, especially after we’ve all become so invested in Cody’s story.
Will the fans still rally behind the quintessential good guy, the fighting champion with the All-American smile, when the complex, flawed hero is on a path of redemption? Can Cody’s wholesome charm compete with the intrigue of Roman’s tumultuous past? After all, Roman is the same man who held the title for over three years, ruthlessly dispatching opponents and exploiting his family ties to maintain his grip on power. He’s the one who abused his authority, using his cousins as pawns and bending them to his will. And yet, his journey towards redemption is a siren’s call, drawing in fans who crave complexity and depth in their heroes.
Will Cody’s straightforward, heroic persona be enough to hold the fans’ attention, or will they be drawn to Roman’s messy, imperfect, and ultimately more human story?
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