3 Ups & 6 Downs From WWE Sunday Night's Main Event
1. An Overbooked Finish That Emasculates QB 1
When WWE was firing on all cylinders, one of its hallmarks was that their babyfaces were no longer gullible idiots.
For years, WWE heroes inevitably fell victim to a heel’s transparent shenanigans, making the babyface look like a moron, and then the company would wonder why no one ever truly got over with the fans. That more or less ceased during the 2022-25 resurgence.
Sunday, however, Cody Rhodes was made to look like a dope at the conclusion of his near-20-minute battle with Randy Orton. Throughout the build, they’ve sold how Randy is clearly depraved and willing to sink to certain depths, but Cody is struggling with this reality.
During their match, Rhodes bloodied Orton and stalked him, but he refused to pull the trigger when it came time, hesitating on the punt attempt and giving in to Randy’s beg-off. This led to a low blow and an RKO for the pin.
Just like all those babyfaces of yesteryear, Cody ultimately looked foolish, falling for Randy’s piss-poor sell job and losing as a result. This isn’t the first time Rhodes has purportedly said he wouldn’t hesitate to “pull the trigger,” but here he is, double-clutching yet again.
Throw this in with three(!) referee bumps and the lengthy beg-off and low blow, and you have a melodramatic finish that did more harm to Cody than help him.