Credit: WWE.com
WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque has officially confirmed that Cody Rhodes will make his highly anticipated return in time for WWE’s major upcoming premium live event, Wrestlepalooza 2025. This news comes as a relief to WWE fans eagerly awaiting “The American Nightmare” after a brief absence from WWE television following his stunning victory at SummerSlam 2025.
Cody Rhodes’ Journey Since SummerSlam 2025
Cody Rhodes captured the Undisputed WWE Championship at SummerSlam by defeating John Cena in a hard-fought Street Fight, marking a significant milestone in his WWE career. Since then, Rhodes has remained inactive on WWE programming, sparking speculation about the duration of his absence and when the company planned to reintegrate him into the main event scene.
Although Cody teamed with Cena on SmackDown earlier in August to take down Drew McIntyre and Logan Paul, a brutal Claymore Kick attack by McIntyre sidelined Rhodes, leading to his absence in subsequent weeks. His name was not listed on WWE’s official website for September’s SmackDown cards, further fueling questions about the timeline for his return.
Triple H Confirms Wrestlepalooza Return
In a recent statement, Triple H addressed the rumors directly, confirming Cody Rhodes will make his comeback just in time for Wrestlepalooza 2025 one of WWE’s most significant premium live events scheduled for late September. This confirmation makes it clear that WWE is positioning Rhodes to play a central role during this event, likely continuing his reign as Undisputed Champion or engaging in a marquee storyline.
A source close to WWE revealed, “Triple H believes that Cody’s presence at Wrestlepalooza is critical for the company’s momentum moving forward. They want to capitalize on his star power and current position at the top of the card”.
The Impact of Cody Rhodes’ Return on WWE Storylines
Cody Rhodes’ return is expected to shake up WWE’s main event tier, as his championship reign is still fresh and he remains a fan favorite. With John Cena poised to regain momentum and Brock Lesnar having recently re-entered WWE action, the landscape is ripe for dramatic confrontations.
Wrestlepalooza traditionally showcases high-stakes matches with major storyline developments. Experts suggest that Rhodes could be involved in a title defense against a top challenger or face a surprise challenger, potentially setting the stage for a WrestleMania-worthy feud.
According to insiders, “WWE’s creative team has been quietly building toward a compelling narrative for Rhodes, especially leveraging his real-life journey as both a former AEW star and a returning icon”. Fans can expect a return that not only highlights Rhodes’ in-ring abilities but also enhances his already compelling character and WWE legacy.
WWE’s Strategic Plans for Cody Rhodes
Beyond Wrestlepalooza, WWE appears to be grooming Cody Rhodes for a sustained presence in major storylines. His marketed appearances resume with the October 3 episode of SmackDown, signaling that WWE has a long-term plan to rebuild his momentum and possibly expand his championship reign.
This approach signifies WWE’s commitment to drawing on Rhodes’ broad appeal to boost ratings and pay-per-view buys. Triple H’s vision as CCO is evidently focused on utilizing Rhodes to bridge the current generation of WWE superstars with long-term storytelling arcs.
What Fans Can Expect Next
Cody Rhodes’ return match and storylines are likely to be featured heavily on upcoming WWE programming, especially SmackDown episodes leading into and following Wrestlepalooza.
The October 3 SmackDown in Ohio is officially marked as a key date for seeing Rhodes back in action live, according to WWE’s current advertising.
Possible opponents include Drew McIntyre, John Cena, Brock Lesnar, or rising WWE superstars, creating multiple avenues for fresh rivalries or alliances.
