Cody Rhodes’ Historic Defenses of the Undisputed WWE Title
Cody Rhodes’ historic title defenses, from his WrestleMania 40 win to his battles in 2024. What’s next for ‘The American Nightmare’ as champion?
Cody Rhodes made history at WrestleMania 40 by defeating Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Title. This victory in April 2024 ended Reigns’ impressive 1,316-day reign as champion. Cody’s win at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia marked a new chapter for the WWE, as ‘The American Nightmare’ became the new face of the company.
Since that historic win, Cody Rhodes has held the title for 255 days. He has promised to be a hardworking champion, making appearances at every show and in every town. He’s kept that promise by defending his title multiple times.
How Many Times Has Cody Rhodes Defended His Title?
As of now, Cody Rhodes has defended the Undisputed WWE Title seven times on WWE TV and major events (PLEs). However, his total defenses go beyond that number, reaching 53 when including house shows and dark matches. Cody has truly lived up to his reputation as a fighting champion.
Title Defenses by Cody Rhodes
| Date | Opponent | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | AJ Styles | WWE Backlash | LDLC Arena, Lyon, France |
| June 2024 | Kevin Owens | WWE Money in the Bank | TBD |
| July 2024 | Seth Rollins | WWE SummerSlam | Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas |
| September 2024 | Solo Sikoa | WWE SmackDown (Steel Cage) | Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle |
| October 2024 | Brock Lesnar | WWE Survivor Series | TBD |
| November 2024 | Finn Bálor | WWE TLC | TBD |
| December 2024 | Kevin Owens | Saturday Night’s Main Event | Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Long Island, NY |
One of the most significant title defenses came on September 13, 2024, when Cody faced Solo Sikoa in a brutal steel cage match. This was part of the WWE SmackDown episode at the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle.
Cody Rhodes: The Third-Longest Reigning Undisputed WWE Champion
Cody’s reign as Undisputed WWE Champion has been historic. As of now, he is the third-longest reigning champion in WWE history. The two men who hold longer reigns are Roman Reigns, with a staggering 1,316-day reign, and Brock Lesnar, who held the title for 503 days.
Cody has made his mark in WWE, not only through his championship reign but also by maintaining high standards for his performance and consistency as a top star.
The Return of Saturday Night’s Main Event
On December 14, 2024, Cody Rhodes defended his title against Kevin Owens at the iconic Saturday Night’s Main Event. The event was held at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Long Island, New York. However, after the event went off the air, things took a dark turn. Kevin Owens viciously attacked Cody with a devastating package piledriver. This assault left Cody injured and requiring medical attention.
WWE issued a statement confirming that Cody did not suffer any fractures but was diagnosed with axial compression of the cervical spine, along with a cervical strain and spasm. These injuries have left fans wondering about the future of Cody’s reign.
What’s Next for Cody Rhodes?
Cody Rhodes has defended his title valiantly, but his future in WWE remains uncertain due to the recent attack. Will he be able to recover and continue his reign as champion? Or is a new challenger on the horizon, ready to dethrone the Undisputed WWE Champion?
Cody’s journey has been incredible, and his reign continues to shape WWE. Fans are eager to see who will rise next to challenge him and whether they can take the title away from ‘The American Nightmare.’
Conclusion
Cody Rhodes has successfully defended his Undisputed WWE Title several times, proving himself as a worthy champion. From his victory at WrestleMania 40 to his recent challenges, Cody has lived up to his promise to be a fighting champion. However, with recent injuries and brutal attacks, it remains to be seen how long he can continue his reign. The WWE Universe will undoubtedly be watching closely to see what happens next.