Following his loss to Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 39, Cody Rhodes was looking to hit the reset button. He wanted another shot at the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. However, he got a brutal reality check in the form of a “conquerer.”
Rhodes faces Brock Lesnar at WWE’s Backlash event on May 6. The event is in Puerto Rico, hosted by recording artist Bad Bunny.
A first-time affair, Rhodes and Lesnar never interacted with one another in their careers until now. Whether Lesnar was busy in the UFC or Rhodes was in AEW, their paths never crossed. The matchup was perplexing to some but did offer something refreshing for Lesnar and Rhodes.
A win could bring Rhodes closer to facing Reigns again. What would a win do for Lesnar? What can we expect from these two opposites? Here’s a full breakdown of the Rhodes-Lesnar feud.
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Cody Rhodes vs. Brock Lesnar: post-WrestleMania heel turn
At WrestleMania, Rhodes lost to Reigns. On the Raw after WrestleMania, Rhodes requested a rematch but was offered a tag team match against Reigns instead. The caveat for the match, per Paul Heyman: If someone in the locker room teamed up with Rhodes, it had to be someone who competed at WrestleMania. They also would be banned from challenging Reigns if it happens.
Out came Lesnar, who beat Omos at WrestleMania. The former was already barred from facing Reigns for the titles following a loss at SummerSlam.
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The match was set, but just as the bell rang, Lesnar attacked Rhodes. “The Beast Incarnate” took Rhodes to Suplex City and landed an F-5 onto a steel stair. It was the first time Lesnar turned heel since 2021.
Can @CodyRhodes trust ANYBODY?!?!?#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/0lHIcSrAmJ
— WWE (@WWE) April 4, 2023
Per WWE’s Wade Barrett, Lesnar was furious that his match with Omos kicked off night two of WrestleMania 39 while Rhodes main evented the show, hence the attack on “The American Nightmare.”
Leading up to Backlash, Rhodes told the WWE Universe he felt embarrassed following the Lesnar betrayal. Rhodes also said he knows he should be afraid of Lesnar, as he looks like the other prey that have fallen victim to him. Challenging Lesnar to a match at Backlash, Rhodes wanted Lesnar to look into a mirror and see himself as Rhodes’ next victim.
Since then, there have been brawls between the two, including on the Raw before Backlash. Based on what we have seen, this match may end up being a violent affair.