At WrestleMania XL, Rhodes emerged victorious, clinching the Undisputed WWE Championship by triumphing over Roman Reigns. Simultaneously, Strickland rose to glory by defeating Samoa Joe at AEW Dynasty, securing the coveted title of World Champion for himself.
Reflecting on their past encounter, Strickland took to Instagram to reminisce about his match against Rhodes, which transpired during the inaugural Defy main event. In a heartfelt message directed towards The American Nightmare, Strickland urged fans to support local independent wrestling events, emphasizing the importance of nurturing the future of the wrestling industry.
Cody Rhodes (Via WWE/Twitter)
In a separate development, Cody Rhodes expressed his belief that a showdown with Gunther is inevitable. The two wrestlers previously faced off during the 2023 Royal Rumble Match, where Rhodes emerged victorious by eliminating Gunther. Rhodes hinted at a future clash, expressing his eagerness to go head-to-head once more with The Ring General.
Looking ahead, Rhodes is gearing up to defend his Undisputed WWE Championship against AJ Styles at the upcoming Backlash France Premium Live Event. Styles earned his title shot by defeating LA Knight in a WrestleMania XL rematch. The signing of the contract for their impending match took place on the latest edition of SmackDown, setting the stage for an electrifying showdown between the two superstars.
