Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes have already headlined two WrestleManias against each other, so the question is not whether the rivalry matters, but whether WWE will revive it. Right now, both men are tied up in other storylines. Here is why a third chapter still looks possible.
The History
Rhodes won the 2023 Royal Rumble and challenged Reigns at WrestleMania 39, but Solo Sikoa’s interference cost him the match. A year later, at WrestleMania XL Night Two, Rhodes beat Reigns in a Bloodline Rules match to end his 1,316-day reign as Undisputed WWE Champion, after Reigns had made 31 title defenses. The two have had only two singles matches, both WrestleMania main events.
Where They Stand Now
Reigns is the World Heavyweight Champion and is scheduled to face Undisputed WWE Champion Sami Zayn in a champion-versus-champion match for the Men’s Crown Jewel Championship on November 7. Rhodes is feuding with Randy Orton and will face him in a Last Man Standing match at the same event. Rhodes also challenged Zayn for the title after the October 19 Raw in a dark match, but Zayn retained by disqualification.
Why a Reunion Could Work
The pair share real history and keep crossing paths. Reports before that match suggested a Rhodes win could have set up a third pay-per-view showdown with Reigns. Their stories also overlap outside wrestling, since both appear in the film Street Fighter, covered in our Street Fighter review. That kind of crossover gives WWE a ready-made build.
The Obstacles
WWE has not announced a third singles match, and the road there runs through Zayn and Orton first. Crown Jewel is still listed for Riyadh, although reports note that unrest in the region could affect the plans. The rivalry would also have to feel new: Rhodes “finished his story” in 2024, so a rematch needs a fresh reason.
The Verdict
Whether it becomes WWE’s biggest rivalry again is a matter of booking and timing. The history is there, and a third chapter would carry the weight of the first two. Until WWE says otherwise, it remains an opinion, not an announcement. For more on the company’s top names, see our list of the greatest WWE champions of all time.
Sources: Fightful, WrestleZone, Bleacher Report, F4W Online.