6 Ups & 4 Downs From WWE Raw (11 March - Results & Review)

1. Bottom Of The Ninth Inning

At this point, Cody Rhodes really could read the phone book for a promo and it would probably get a huge reaction.

But Monday night’s in-ring interview was a barnburner that rallied those last few holdouts to his camp. Cody called his slap to The Rock on SmackDown exactly what it was – a receipt – and said it felt good to strike someone who might be his boss.

Rhodes ramped up though as said he trusts Seth Rollins despite their history because “people change,” noting how Michael Cole was once a heckling heel announcer, how he smashed a throne and now is close friends with Triple H, and how he teamed with Jey Uso. That mixing of storyline character changes and actual relationships was a nice touch to make things feel a bit more realistic. He pointed out that accepting the tag match was his only shot to have a fair fight on night two against Roman Reigns, which was obvious but important to note.

Then Cody turned his attention to a months-old question Cole asked him about “finishing the story.” Rhodes admitted to being nervous and even frightened a bit, but he said the story has evolved. It now includes all the fans who have stuck with him after coming up short last year. It includes his mother, his wife (who stuck with him despite taking RKOs nightly while wearing a goofy mask).

Cody then looked down the lens and called back to Paul Heyman’s “we’re in the bottom of the third inning” and corrected him that we’re now “in the last inning,” signaling that the Bloodline saga is wrapping up in one way or another come WrestleMania.

It’s truly fantastic to listen to Rhodes tie together so many different aspects of his career, including fans’ journey with him, and bringing it right back to the end goal. Everything weaves a long tapestry, intertwined in strange ways but all leading to the same destination.

Now just go finish the damn story.