Speculation had run rampant for weeks if Cody Rhodes would return to WWE after a three-year stint in All Elite Wrestling and a six-year hiatus away from WWE.
The rumors were put to rest as Rhodes was the surprise opponent picked by WWE Chairman Vince McMahon to face Seth Rollins on Saturday at night one of WrestleMania 38 from the AT&AT Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The match started slow, but it picked up significantly down the stretch that had the crowd on their feet for the last ten minutes.
It was hard-hitting, as both guys were battered and bruised up. Rhodes hit two Cross Rhodes and was on his way to a third when he let Rollins drop to the mat.
He let Rollins up and hit his father, the late Dusty Rhodes' finishing sequence, which was a series of popping jabs, rolled his arms, and delivered a bionic elbow. Then, Rhodes delivered one more Cross Rhodes for the pin to a gigantic reaction from the crowd.
The rumors were put to rest as Rhodes was the surprise opponent picked by WWE Chairman Vince McMahon to face Seth Rollins on Saturday at night one of WrestleMania 38 from the AT&AT Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Rollins was waiting in the ring when fireworks went off. Then, the arena went dark when Rhodes' voice blared, and his entrance music started. He popped up from below the entrance ramp and rose to the ramp with the crowd exploding for "The American Nightmare".
The match started slow, but it picked up significantly down the stretch that had the crowd on their feet for the last ten minutes.
It was hard-hitting, as both guys were battered and bruised up. Rhodes hit two Cross Rhodes and was on his way to a third when he let Rollins drop to the mat.
He let Rollins up and hit his father, the late Dusty Rhodes' finishing sequence, which was a series of popping jabs, rolled his arms, and delivered a bionic elbow. Then, Rhodes delivered one more Cross Rhodes for the pin to a gigantic reaction from the crowd.