7 Ups & 5 Downs From WWE Raw (8 May - Results & Review)

2. At Least Give Us Lip Service

Since returning to WWE more than a year ago, Cody Rhodes has spoken passionately about winning the title that his father Dusty Rhodes never could quite capture, the WWE Championship. In the lead-up to WrestleMania 39, he constantly talked about the need to “finish the story,” a further reference to winning this title.

After falling short at Mania, Rhodes has referenced how he needs to finish the story, so this thread is still alive and well.

So why did Cody just open Raw by saying his next focus on Raw is the new World Heavyweight Championship? No reference to Roman Reigns, the WWE Championship, or finishing the story – just moving onto the next available world title.

Regardless of anything that happened afterward, having Rhodes brush past any reference to that title was a mistake and betrays the character. All he had to do was mention that he still wants to finish the story, but since he can’t get to Roman, he was turning his focus to the WHC. Simple, takes 30 seconds, and gives a logical explanation that’s true to Cody’s ongoing story.

Otherwise, we’re all asked as fans to just forget about that quest for the time being and pretend it doesn’t exist. We can dispute whether Rhodes should have been in the tournament, but if you’re going to do it, then do it right.