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Cody Rhodes anticipates becoming the new World Heavyweight Champion as tonight's WWE RAW features two Triple Threat matches, the winners of which will square off later in the main event.
Rhodes appears to be the early favorite to win the championship. The American Nightmare was unable to finish his story in the WrestleMania 39 main event, but he did manage to defeat Brock Lesnar at Backlash.
He is a strong candidate to advance to the final, but he may not be given the chance to compete for the crown because it is rumored that his conflict with his current rival is far from ended.
If Rhodes is denied the opportunity to contend for the World Heavyweight Championship, here are three ways WWE might ruin his chances.
#3. Cody Rhodes once again falls victim to Brock Lesnar
Lesnar and Cody Rhodes have been feuding since the RAW after WrestleMania when Lesnar laid out Rhodes without any reason. Tensions only rose from then, with a scuffle breaking out whenever they came into contact.
Although it was a successful night for WWE at Backlash, the Cody-Brock feud had just begun. It would have been unfortunate for Lesnar to win, to put it mildly. After having previously pledged to complete the story at WrestleMania and having failed to do so, Rhodes needed this triumph to increase his credibility.
The way the match ended at Backlash was anticlimactic, so it would be reasonable for Lesnar to take some action to continue the feud. The perfect scenario would be to carry this plot at least through one more premium live event, if not until SummerSlam.
#2. New rival steps up in the form of Randy Orton
Some new rumors are swirling about The Viper returning to WWE shortly. There is a long history between Randy Orton and Rhodes, spanning all the way back to Cody's initial appearances in WWE. The former AEW star and Orton grew close, and he joined him in forming The Legacy.
What better way to reintroduce Orton than by having him take aim at The American Nightmare, who is certain to win the new World Heavyweight Championship?
After achieving such a significant victory against Brock Lesnar, Rhodes will require a strong opponent. That would be Orton, though it would then be up to WWE to decide whether or not to have him take the fall for Cody Rhodes following a brand-new comeback.
#1. Cody Rhodes loses after the referee is distracted
Referees in professional wrestling are notorious for having the lowest attention spans. Anything can divert their attention, and heels commonly use this approach, which entails creating distractions and taking advantage of the opportunity to act unethically.
The match officials also frequently become preoccupied right as the face pins the heel or right when the heel yields to the face's submission hold. Expect Cody Rhodes to experience something similar tonight.
He might blow his chance if he pins someone like Finn Balor, as Balor's Judgment Day teammates divert the referee long enough for The Prince to take the match from Rhodes despite receiving the pinfall.
