The rivalry between Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens continues to heat up following the events of Saturday Night’s Main Event (SNME XXXVII). While Cody Rhodes successfully defended the Undisputed WWE Championship against The Prizefighter, the aftermath has left fans buzzing. Kevin Owens delivered a devastating Package Piledriver, leaving Cody stretchered out and stealing the coveted Winged Eagle title belt in the process.
Why Did Kevin Owens Attack Cody Rhodes?
New reports from Fightful Select reveal the reasoning behind Kevin Owens’ shocking assault. WWE officials reportedly planned the attack to serve as a “bridge” between SNME and the upcoming double SmackDown taping, ensuring the storyline remains cohesive without giving away key spoilers.
Due to the pre-taped nature of this week’s SmackDown episodes, Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens were not featured in live segments during the event. Instead, Owens reportedly recorded a backstage promo that is expected to air this Friday, alongside footage of his attack on Cody Rhodes from SNME.
Creative Challenges and WWE’s Strategy
The SmackDown tapings faced unique challenges as WWE enters its holiday break. Officials wanted to maintain storyline continuity without spoiling the outcome of SNME. To address this, Owens’ attack was crafted to connect the dots for TV audiences while also engaging the live crowd at SmackDown tapings.
Reports indicate that WWE plans to air both the SNME attack and a backstage segment involving Owens and Triple H during this week’s SmackDown. Cody’s involvement in the taped episode, however, remains unclear.
Cody Rhodes’ Update for 2024
Currently, Cody Rhodes is on a holiday hiatus but is set to return for WWE’s annual post-Christmas tour, starting December 26 in Jacksonville, FL. Advertised matches include Cody Rhodes vs. Kevin Owens in Steel Cage bouts across multiple live events in cities like Orlando, Miami, and Detroit.
Fans can expect Cody’s official TV return during the final SmackDown of the year on December 27 in Tampa, FL. Additionally, Rhodes is scheduled for WWE’s special Netflix premiere event on January 6, though he won’t appear in any Monday Night Raw episodes until that date.
Kevin Owens’ Promo to Air This Friday
As part of this storyline development, Kevin Owens’ backstage promo will air during Friday’s SmackDown. The promo is expected to address his attack on Cody Rhodes and hint at the next chapter in their escalating feud.
With Cody set to resume in-ring action and a Steel Cage match looming, this rivalry shows no signs of slowing down. Fans eagerly await what’s next as the road to Royal Rumble 2025 begins to take shape.
