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After finally defeating Roman Reigns at WrestleMania XL and becoming the Undisputed WWE Champion for the first time in his career, Cody Rhodes had his first title defense against none other than ‘The Phenomenal One’ AJ Styles, at Backlash 2024. A defense in which he managed to defeat Styles in a splendid match.

But while the entire match was highlight-worthy, the internet praised Rhodes for an unofficial part of the match. So what was it? Well, it was a moment of sportsmanship that did not go unnoticed.

Cody Rhodes breaks character for AJ Styles

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In a clip that has been making the rounds on the internet, we can see Cody Rhodes in the ring while Samantha Irvin makes the in-ring announcement for ‘The Phenomenal One’. And while Styles was the center of attention during that moment, a fan captured Rhodes clapping for Styles during his announcement. This moment truly shows why ‘The American Nightmare’ is the face of the WWE right now.

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In early 2022, Cody Rhodes opted to return to WWE, leaving behind AEW, a company he had helped found. His decision turned out to be an astounding success. The former AEW star is currently arguably the most prominent superstar within WWE and undoubtedly the face of the company. But what’s next for the American Nightmare? Well, he wants a bit of nostalgia in his life. So he wishes to face his teammate from ‘The Legacy’, Randy Orton.

Rhodes says he wants to face Randy Orton in the near future

With Cody Rhodes as the Undisputed WWE Champion, clashes against several major superstars are expected in the coming months, including Randy Orton. This rivalry promises to develop in an interesting fashion. In the past, Orton led The Legacy, a faction that Rhodes also participated in. So the ground is already sown for the two to face off.

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During the post-Backlash 2024 press conference, the American Nightmare stated that one of his goals for the next few months is to work with The Viper. He highlighted the current differences compared to their time together on The Legacy, highlighting how he has evolved to become one of the top superstars today.

For now, there are no concrete plans for Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes to face off. However, if this rivalry takes place, it is likely to happen at a major event, such as SummerSlam 2024, which would be the ideal scenario. So are you excited about the match? Let us know in the comments.