3 ways Cody Rhodes can respond to Solo Sikoa's challenge on WWE SmackDown
Cody Rhodes successfully defended the Undisputed WWE Championship against Kevin Owens at Bash in Berlin. The American Nightmare outlasted The Prizefighter in a magnificent match despite a Kayfabe knee injury, raising eyebrows regarding the state of their friendship. However, the champion may have no time to celebrate his win or diagnose his friendship with Owens.
This is because SmackDown before Bash in Berlin saw Solo Sikoa throw down an advance challenge to whoever would walk out of the Uber Arena as champion. With Rhodes having retained, he is set to give his answer on the post-PLE episode of the blue brand. Fans are mightily intrigued to see how it unfolds considering the duo have already faced off at Summerslam.
Without further ado, let's look at three possible ways Cody Rhodes could respond to Solo Sikoa's Undisputed WWE Title rematch challenge on SmackDown.
#3. Cody Rhodes could say NO to Solo Sikoa's Undisputed WWE Championship challenge
They say "no" is the most powerful word in the English language. Saying "no" is capable of liberating, empowering, and allowing us to take back control of our narrative. Many fans currently feel like Cody Rhodes has lost control of his Undisputed WWE Title reign to The Bloodline on SmackDown and aren't particularly excited about the idea of a rematch with Solo Sikoa.
It might thus be most prudent for him to deny The Street Champ's challenge, underscoring once and for all that he is done with the iconic faction. He could then be confronted by another challenger, allowing Sikoa and Co. to pivot back into their feud with Roman Reigns. The only question is, which challenger will be able to drive the new Tribal Chief out of the Undisputed Title picture?
#2. Cody Rhodes sets up a match vs. Solo Sikoa at WWE Bad Blood
While it is true that Cody Rhodes' involvement with The Bloodline needs to end soon, ending it in a WWE SmackDown promo segment could prove anticlimactic. The American Nightmare needs to emphatically put Solo Sikoa and Co. in his rearview, defeating the new Tribal Chief clearly and conclusively.
With their Bloodline Rules Summerslam match having been decided by a returning Roman Reigns, Bad Blood would be the perfect PLE to put the feud to bed. For example, the duo could clash inside a steel cage, making sure there can be no interference from Reigns or Sikoa's minions. Though The Street Champ is currently an unpopular challenger, the right stipulation could revive fan interest.
It could also potentially allow the Original Tribal Chief to first face Jacob Fatu before settling his grudge with his former Enforcer at a later date.
#1. Cody Rhodes could accept Solo Sikoa's challenge for WWE SmackDown's season premiere on USA Network
WWE SmackDown post-Bash in Berlin will be the last episode of the blue brand's five-year tenure on FOX. The Friday night show moves to the USA Network on September 13th, and that show is expected to be stacked. What better way to crown its arrival on a new network than with a rare Undisputed WWE Title television defense?
Given that Roman Reigns is rumored to be advertised for the season premiere, Rhodes vs. Sikoa II could kill multiple birds with one stone. It could conclude the champion's business with the new Chief, set up a Reigns return to cost his usurper (potentially coming back with Jimmy Uso and Paul Heyman), and boost ratings for SmackDown's arrival on USA Network.
This looks to be the most likely direction for The American Nightmare and The Street Champ going forward.