Did WWE Make A Mistake With Cody Rhodes At Backlash?
Quick Links
The WWE is no stranger to controversy, especially when it comes to the booking of its superstars. And the recent Backlash event was no exception, with Cody Rhodes being at the center of a booking decision that left many fans scratching their heads.
Was Cody Rhodes Really The Babyface?
The match in question was between Cody Rhodes and Brock Lesnar, two of the biggest names in the WWE. However, from the very beginning of the match, something felt off. Cody Rhodes attacked Lesnar with a variety of foreign objects before the match even started, making him look like a coward in the eyes of many fans. This move was not only unnecessary but also did not make any sense in terms of storytelling, as Rhodes has been promoted by WWE as the fearless prodigal son who returned to conquer the company. This same man fought with a gruesome torn pectoral muscle inside the devious Hell in a Cell structure, yet he was deathly afraid of Brock Lesnar?
Moreover, Cody was supposed to be the babyface in the match, the good guy that fans would root for. However, his actions were very heelish, Throughout the match, Lesnar was left bleeding, with Cody relentlessly attacking him with different weapons initially. Some fans were not impressed with Cody's behavior, and instead, they sympathized with Lesnar, cheering for him instead of Cody. Puerto Rico became Suplex City that day as they kept chanting for Brock.RELATED: Can WWE Keep Cody Rhodes Hot All The Way Until A WrestleMania Rematch With Roman Reigns?
Cody Rhodes' Booking Has Made Him Look Like A Loser
This booking decision was a major misstep on the part of the WWE, and it showed a lack of understanding of their own storytelling. The whole point of a babyface is to make fans root for them, but the booking of Cody Rhodes did the exact opposite. By making him look like a cowardly villain, fans were turned off and did not connect with him. Furthermore, the attack on Lesnar before the match even started made it seem like Cody was afraid of facing him one-on-one, which is not a good look for any wrestler, especially one who the company is trying to project as their biggest babyface.
Cody Rhodes' loss to Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 39 earlier this year was another example of the WWE's questionable booking decisions. WWE had been building up Cody as a legitimate contender for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship for months leading up to the event. However, his loss to Reigns at the biggest event of the year made all that buildup seem meaningless.
The loss to Reigns not only hurt Cody's credibility as a top-tier superstar but also made the fans question whether he was a legitimate contender for the championship. WWE had been portraying Cody as a wrestler who could hold his own against the likes of Reigns and other top superstars. However, his loss at WrestleMania 39 seemed to indicate that he was not as strong as the company had been making him out to be.
RELATED: Cody Rhodes Not Focused On Winning New WWE World Championship
This Is Not How Other Big Stars Were Booked In WWE
In contrast, when looking at the careers of other top babyfaces like John Cena, The Rock, and Stone Cold Steve Austin, it is evident that the WWE would have never treated them in such a way that made them look weak or unconvincing. John Cena, for example, was built up as a legitimate threat throughout his entire career, winning multiple championships and defeating some of the biggest names in the industry. Even in his losses, he always put up a strong fight, never backing down or looking weak in the eyes of fans. The same goes for The Rock and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, both of whom were dominant forces in their time and were always booked to look like credible threats to their opponents.
WWE understood the importance of protecting its top babyfaces, as they were the ones who sold the most merchandise and drew the most crowds. They were also the ones who inspired the most loyalty in fans, who would follow them no matter what. As such, WWE was always careful to book them in a way that made them look strong and capable of overcoming any obstacle. This is in stark contrast to how Cody Rhodes has been booked. Despite his immense talent and potential, he has been made to look weak and unconvincing in his recent matches, with his actions at Backlash 2023 and his loss to Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 39 making him appear less legitimate as a top babyface.
