Cody Rhodes set for major confrontation on WWE SmackDown
Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes is set for a major confrontation on tonight's edition of SmackDown. The American Nightmare fell victim to an unexpected attack at the conclusion of last week's show.
AJ Styles did his best Mark Henry impression in the final segment of last week's episode of the blue brand. The veteran faked his own retirement to lure Rhodes to the ring. After the two shared a seemingly heartfelt moment together, Styles attacked Rhodes out of nowhere.
He planted the champion with a Styles Clash on the steel steps as his mates from The O.C., Luke Gallows, and Karl Anderson prevented security from breaking it up. WWE has announced that Rhodes will be looking to fight Styles later tonight on SmackDown.
"Buckle up. After being betrayed by @AJStylesOrg last week, Undisputed WWE Champion @CodyRhodes is looking for a fight with The Phenomenal One TONIGHT on #SmackDown! 📺 8/7c on @FOXTV," wrote WWE.
Styles had previously asked WWE SmackDown GM Nick Aldis for another title shot after losing to Cody Rhodes at Backlash last month. However, the SmackDown GM had said The Phenomenal One would have to go back to the end of the line and earn it again while Styles claimed he didn't have time.
Former WWE manager reacts to AJ Styles' fake retirement on SmackDown
Wrestling legend Dutch Mantell commented on AJ Styles' fake retirement last week and said the segment was very well done.
Speaking on the latest edition of Sportskeeda Wrestling's Smack Talk show, Mantell stated that the angle got him invested in the storyline. The veteran noted Styles has been wrestling for decades so his retirement was believable to an extent.
"Very well done. Sold me and now AJ is back in it. See how easy it is when you do it right? It was actually a good thing to have him say, 'Well you know it's been a long time, I've been doing this forever and maybe my time is up.' It you look at it in his totality, he been there 20 years. He's been in wrestling 20 something years. So he may want to get out of it, which is believeable to a degree," said Mantell. [From 15:00 onwards]
You can check out the video below:
Cody Rhodes got the better of AJ Styles in front of a lively crowd in Lyon, France in the main event of Backlash last month. It will be interesting to see how Rhodes responds to last week's attack later tonight on WWE SmackDown.