For the second time in three weeks, Cody Rhodes delivered a stellar five-star performance.
At Backlash, Rhodes captivated audiences by defeating AJ Styles in a thrilling match. He continued his winning streak on Saturday at King and Queen of the Ring, successfully defending the Undisputed WWE Championship against Logan Paul. Unlike his intense bout with Styles, the match against Paul, a notorious heel, was the perfect setup for Rhodes’ heroic title defense.
Paul, the controversial influencer, promised not to use his brass knuckles but broke his word after his ringside cronies caused a distraction. Paul blasted Rhodes in the gut with the knucks and relentlessly targeted his midsection with sharp jabs learned from his boxing days. Despite Paul’s deceit, Rhodes fought valiantly, surviving a knockout punch, a frog splash through the announcers’ table, and a low blow. Paul taunted Michael Cole and the fans throughout the match, but Rhodes’ resilience shone through.
At one point, Rhodes refused to let referee Ryan Tran count Paul out, declaring, “He needs to learn.” The match’s turning point came when guest ring announcer Ibrahim Al Hajjaj prevented Paul from using the brass knuckles again, allowing Rhodes to outsmart and defeat Paul in a spirited contest featuring mat wrestling, aerial moves, and sheer brutality.
Leading up to their encounter, Rhodes delivered a powerful promo on SmackDown, challenging Paul’s dedication to wrestling. After his loss, Paul appeared introspective, hinting at a potential character shift. Meanwhile, Rhodes seems ready for a rematch with Styles, who knows his time for another title shot is limited. As Rhodes left Saudi Arabia, his popularity soared, following a match that perfectly showcased his heroism as a champion.
