The Missing Champion
Since his victory at the 2024 Royal Rumble, Cody Rhodes has been a consistent presence at WWE Premium Live Events (PLEs). However, the upcoming Backlash show marks a rare absence for the Undisputed WWE Champion. While initial reports suggested a planned appearance involving a tag team match with Jelly Roll against Randy Orton and Pat McAfee, those plans were reportedly scrapped following negative fan reception toward McAfee's inclusion. The question remains: why wasn't an alternative spot found for the company's top champion?
Signs of Fan Fatigue?
The omission of the champion from the card has sparked speculation, particularly following a tepid reception from the Las Vegas crowd at WrestleMania. While stadium crowds often favor legends or desire shocking title changes, this isn't the first time Rhodes has faced friction. From boos during the Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia to online criticism regarding booking decisions surrounding Drew McIntyre, there are subtle indicators that segments of the audience are losing their enthusiasm for the "American Nightmare."
The TKO Factor
Part of the tension may stem from the corporate strategy of TKO Group Holdings. Much like John Cena in years past, Rhodes is positioned as the primary corporate face of the organization. However, as TKO pushes aggressive monetization strategies—ranging from podcast vanity projects to expensive fan experiences like the proposed $10,000 bus ride—the "face of the company" role can become a liability. Fans appear increasingly wary of corporate overreach, and Rhodes often serves as the vessel for these commercial initiatives.
Creative Stagnation
Beyond the corporate optics, the creative direction for Rhodes has struggled to gain momentum since his emotional victory at WrestleMania XL. The storylines have felt repetitive, often rehashing potential conflicts with Roman Reigns or missing the high-stakes narrative presence of The Rock. Furthermore, the inconsistent presentation of Rhodes—alternating between a classic hero and someone willing to adopt questionable, heel-like tactics—has left some viewers confused about his character's true alignment.
Learning from History
While the current situation is nowhere near the hostile environment Rhodes experienced toward the end of his AEW run, the warning signs of "babyface fatigue" are hard to ignore. Wrestling history is littered with champions who overstayed their welcome as crowd favorites. WWE management is likely taking a cautious approach, choosing to bench the champion for a PLE rather than risking further vocal dissatisfaction, allowing for a potential recalibration of his character moving forward.