Triple H has set up the biggest rivalry for Cody Rhodes in 2025, WWE personality paints a picture

The maiden year of Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes as the company's flagbearer has been a mixed bag. That has seemingly been the general sentiment. This has more to do with a lack of that one storyline, which puts his reign among the best. Perhaps that could change in 2025.

WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H kicked off the first SmackDown of the year with The American Nightmare this past Friday, who was immediately interrupted by Drew McIntyre. The Scotsman hugged his supposed prey as if in a kiss of death before warning Cody that the end is nigh should he not be careful.

WWE personality Sam Roberts articulates that this is the beginning of a rivalry that has the potential to headline WrestleMania 41. Even if it does not, McIntyre and Rhodes are two reliable workhorses of the company. They can carve out a program that stands out. The Scotish Warrior already did it last year with CM Punk, so why would his feud with Rhodes be any different?

"While I do think it would be interesting if Kevin Owens beat Cody Rhodes for the championship, just so Drew [McIntyre] could be able to say 'I told you so,' I think it might be even more interesting to have Cody beat Kevin so that Drew could show up and be Cody's next challenger. [...] Cody and Drew have parallel stories, but also they get very very different," Sam Roberts said on his NotSam Wrestling Podcast.

Sam Roberts noted how Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes had to leave WWE to prove the company wrong about them. However, it is The American Nightmare who got to bask in the glory in front of the fans, as opposed to The Scottish Warrior, who did what Cody did before him, but at the Performance Center with no audience:

"To an extent, Cody finished Drew's story. And if Drew sees Cody as not handling the results of that finished story properly, Cody may have to do some answering to Drew." [From 36:30 onwards]

The promo between Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre on SmackDown also teased a new alliance, one that WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry deemed "toxic."

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Will Cody Rhodes remain the Undisputed WWE Champion for another year?

Cody Rhodes claimed the Undisputed WWE Title at WrestleMania 40 from Roman Reigns. He has since survived challenges from AJ Styles, Solo Sikoa, and Kevin Owens, against whom he will defend his belt again next month.

Although The Rock has insinuated that he will be back to get him, Cody's challenger at WrestleMania in April this year is reportedly John Cena. That is, of course, if he can walk out of the Royal Rumble still champion. WWE can always throw a curveball.

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If you use any of the quotes, please credit the Notsam Wrestling podcast and give an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription.