Cody Rhodes' title reign should have ended after 251 days, ex-WWE writer says
Cody Rhodes has held the Undisputed WWE Championship since defeating Roman Reigns at WrestleMania XL on April 7, 2024. Former WWE writer Vince Russo believes the company's creative team made a mistake by booking Rhodes to retain the title against Kevin Owens.
On December 14, 2024, Owens unsuccessfully challenged Rhodes for the gold at Saturday Night's Main Event. Had The American Nightmare lost, his reign would have ended after 251 days.
In an interview on The Hannibal TV, Russo recalled how The Undertaker held the WWE Championship for six days in 1991 after surprisingly beating Hulk Hogan. More than three decades on, he thinks WWE should have booked a similar storyline between Owens and Rhodes:
"Do you remember when The Undertaker upset Hulk Hogan, won the title, and then like immediately the WWE did Tuesday Night in Texas [This Tuesday in Texas]?" Russo said. "Remember that, bro? They did the special pay-per-view and they put the title back on Hogan. Bro, they should have freaking put the title on Saturday Night's Main Event on freaking Kevin Owens because, like you said, nobody thought Kevin Owens was gonna win the match." [37:30 – 38:03]
Owens held the Universal Championship for 188 days between August 2016 and March 2017. Since then, he has repeatedly failed in his quest to win another world title.
Vince Russo on WWE's predictable Cody Rhodes vs. Kevin Owens booking
According to Vince Russo, WWE has damaged Kevin Owens' reputation as a credible title challenger due to his high-profile losses over the years.
The one-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion thinks Owens would have become a bigger heel even if he only briefly held Cody Rhodes' title:
"Bro, you don't ever think Kevin Owens is gonna win a big match, and that's because of the way that they booked him," Russo continued. "But if he would have shocked the world and did something heel-ish to win that title, and then, bro, either bring it back at the Royal Rumble or do a Tuesday Night in Texas. But, like you said, bro, just so freaking predictable everything they do." [38:03 – 38:27]
On February 1, Owens will challenge Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship in a Ladder match at the Royal Rumble. The Winged Eagle title, which Owens stole from his rival, will also be suspended above the ring.
Do you think Kevin Owens should have dethroned Cody Rhodes? Hit the discuss button and let us know.
Please credit The Hannibal TV and give an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription if you use quotes from this article.
