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Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes recently addressed his relationship with a top SmackDown star. The American Nightmare claimed he wished they had a better bond.
The superstar in question is AJ Styles. The Phenomenal One challenged Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship at Backlash France after winning an Eliminator Tournament. However, he failed to dethrone the champion. After SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis turned down Styles' demand for another shot at the title, the latter viciously attacked the former AEW EVP on the blue brand last week.
In a recent interview with WHAS11, Rhodes stated that he wished he had a better relationship with the former WWE Champion, pointing out that he looked up to him growing up:
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"I wish AJ [Styles] and I had a better, you know relationship. You hear the story all the time about how Michael Jordan didn't wanna play Dr. J, not because he was his hero, because he didn't wanna embarrass him. And that's really what I wanted to say to AJ before we had our first match at Backlash because this was a guy I looked up to coming from Georgia and his whole run, especially what he did overseas with New Japan and everything that made AJ Styles," he said.
The American Nightmare claimed he tried to show Styles that in their match at Backlash France. However, he thinks he failed to get that job done:
"I wanted him to know, you know, that that's great and that's all good and well, but I'm the guy now. And I thought I showed him that at Backlash. But apparently, I didn't show him to the best of my ability." [From 07:28 - 08:03]
Cody Rhodes will fight AJ Styles at WWE Clash at the Castle
Last month, Cody Rhodes successfully defended his Undisputed WWE Championship against United States Champion Logan Paul at King and Queen of the Ring in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He will now put his title on the line against AJ Styles at the upcoming premium live event, Clash at the Castle.
Following AJ Styles' attack on him last Friday, the two had a confrontation on the latest episode of the blue brand. The Phenomenal One demanded a rematch in Glasgow, Scotland, which Rhodes accepted. However, the Undisputed WWE Champion stated that he would fight the veteran in an I Quit Match.
Meanwhile, Rhodes tried to get his hands on his upcoming challenger but failed to get through security. However, Styles succeeded in delivering a blow to The American Nightmare before retreating alongside his O.C. teammates, Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows.
As Styles already suffered a loss against Rhodes at Backlash France, it would be interesting to see if The Phenomenal One can end The American Nightmare's title reign in his second attempt at Clash at the Castle.
Do you think Cody Rhodes can defeat AJ Styles again in Glasgow, Scotland? Hit the discuss button and sound off.
Please credit WHAS11 and give an H/T to Sportskeeda if you use the above transcription.
