Even as Undisputed WWE Champion, Cody Rhodes admits Roman Reigns still casts a long shadow. Appearing on ESPN’s First Take, Rhodes described Reigns as the defining feud of his career and acknowledged the former champion’s continued importance to his journey.
Rhodes reflected on the years he spent outside WWE, while Reigns carried the company as its top star. He framed their rivalry as one rooted in respect, crediting Reigns with pushing him to stay sharp.
“Roman keeps me on my toes and I hope he’s around for years to come. I need a Roman Reigns,” Rhodes said.
The two last crossed paths in the ring at the Bad Blood premium live event, where they teamed to defeat Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa.
Rhodes also looked beyond Reigns. In a separate interview on ESPN’s Unsportsmanlike, he endorsed Bron Breakker as WWE’s future standard-bearer, openly admitting he expects Breakker to defeat him someday. He recalled a private exchange with Reigns about the sport’s mainstream rise on platforms like ESPN, calling it the fulfillment of what both their fathers once worked toward.