Cody Rhodes' first opponent after WrestleMania has been decided on SmackDown

Modified Apr 20, 2024 00:51 GMT

Cody Rhodes' first challenger for his Undisputed WWE Championship has been determined tonight on WWE SmackDown.

Ever since AJ Styles returned from injury last year, he has shown a darker side of himself. He has been constantly after LA Knight, who he claims stepped over him to get to Roman Reigns. That's because Style was set to team with John Cena against The Bloodline when he got injured and LA Knight took his place. In return, Styles cost Knight his match at WWE Elimination Chamber. The two squared off at WrestleMania 40, with Knight coming out on top.

AJ Styles and LA Knight's paths would cross again in the pursuit of a new challenger for Cody Rhodes' Undisputed WWE Championship. Last week, two triple threat matches took place which were won by Knight and Styles. Given that they won their respective matches, both men squared off tonight to determine the number one contender for Cody's title. Both men put on a spectacular contest worthy of opening the show. After a highly competitive match, it was Styles who prevailed as the victor tonight on the blue brand.

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With this win, AJ Styles will face Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship at Backlash: France.

About the author

Sunil is a pro wrestling journalist, covering AEW and WWE news stories at Sportskeeda. He holds an MBA degree in Marketing, and has nearly 7 years of experience. A wrestling aficionado since childhood, Sunil used to imitate his favorite wrestlers as a young kid, and started writing professionally about the sport via Sportskeeda’s revenue-sharing opportunity.

Sunil admires former world champions AJ Styles, Will Ospreay, and Kenny Omega for their ability to consistently deliver great matches as well as entertain crowds with their mic skills.

If ever given a chance to change a storyline, Sunil would have booked Roman Reigns to end The Undertaker’s WrestleMania streak instead of Brock Lesnar. According to him, The Tribal Chief needed the victory more than Brock Lesnar, as the latter was already an established performer when he defeated ‘Taker. He would’ve also made that as Taker’s final match.

Always focused on making his work accurate and reliable, Sunil thoroughly checks his facts before writing his articles. When not writing for pro wrestling, he spends his time watching cricket.

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Edited by Harish Raj S