Cody Rhodes has officially punched his ticket for a monumental rematch against John Cena for the Undisputed WWE Championship. The second chapter of their rivalry is set for SummerSlam, which will take place as a two-night event at MetLife Stadium on August 2 and 3.
The path to redemption for Rhodes was secured at Night of Champions on June 28, where he defeated his former mentor, Randy Orton, in the King of the Ring tournament final. The victory gives Rhodes the opportunity to avenge his controversial loss to Cena at WrestleMania 41, a finish that drew criticism from fans and one Rhodes has promised to rectify.
However, a straightforward victory for Rhodes is far from certain. The most significant complication is a rumored role for Rhodes as Guile in an upcoming Street Fighter film. With filming expected to begin in August, speculation is rampant that Rhodes could win the title only to lose it immediately, facilitating a necessary absence from WWE programming.
This external pressure combines with several internal threats that could derail Rhodes’ quest. The possibility of Seth Rollins cashing in his Money in the Bank contract looms over any potential title change. Furthermore, there is discussion that Randy Orton could seek revenge for his King of the Ring loss, potentially attacking Rhodes ahead of the event and jeopardizing the match itself.
All of this unfolds during what Cena has declared as his final year in wrestling, adding another layer of historical weight to the encounter. While Rhodes has his long-awaited shot, the confluence of a Hollywood schedule and lurking rivals makes the outcome at SummerSlam one of the most unpredictable in recent memory.
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