Cody Rhodes: Roman Reigns entitled to rematch, ‘But I’m not flinching’

The American Nightmare realizes that a third match with Reigns is inevitable.

Roman Reigns received a hero’s welcome at SummerSlam, where he helped Cody Rhodes retain the Undisputed WWE Championship. During the post-show, Rhodes acknowledged Reigns’ role in helping him keep his title.

“I don’t want to fill the room with positive platitudes and hot air about the real Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns, returning,” said Rhodes. “But without a doubt, that probably would have gone a different way. I probably would not be sitting here with the Northstar of the industry had it not been for Roman Reigns.”

At SummerSlam, Rhodes faced Solo Sikoa, who hijacked The Bloodline and the title of Tribal Chief from his cousin after Reigns went on a sabbatical following WrestleMania XL. The day before SummerSlam, Sikoa goaded Rhodes into a Bloodline Rules match, meaning anything goes. Despite interference from Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa, who were run off by Kevin Owens and Randy Orton, Rhodes persevered.

When Jacob Fatu arrived to help Sikoa, the Samoan Werewolf injured himself after splashing Rhodes through the announcer’s table. Shortly after, Reigns’ music hit, and the crowd at Cleveland Browns Stadium erupted. Reigns entered the ring and blasted Sikoa with a Superman punch and spear, allowing Rhodes to execute the Cross Rhodes and secure the pinfall victory.

For the second time this year, Bloodline Rules backfired on the Samoan Dynasty. With the deck stacked against him, Rhodes defeated Reigns at his own game at WrestleMania. Against Sikoa at SummerSlam, Rhodes won again under the same harsh conditions. Though it’s not his place to call for such a stipulation, Rhodes now considers the match his specialty.

“I actually think Bloodline Rules, as a match, is my match. We’ve had two of ‘em, and I’ve won ‘em both,” said Rhodes.

While Rhodes can claim superiority in a Bloodline Rules environment, he has yet to win a straightforward wrestling match against Reigns. Regarding the possibility of a threequel, Rhodes acknowledged that Reigns is entitled to a rematch. Though he understands there can’t be two guys at the top, the champ remains unfazed by the challenge Reigns presents.

“I’m not flinching, not one bit. And I think he isn’t either,” said Rhodes.