“Tremendous history” doesn’t even begin to explain the connection between Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins, and it all came to a head at WWE Crown Jewel Perth for the WWE Crown Jewel Championship. Since Rhodes came back in 2022, these two have been the best of friends, and even worse enemies.
Once upon a time, Seth Rollins wanted nothing to do with Cody Rhodes being back in WWE, referring to him as “the one who left to play for the other team.” During that time, these two went into bloody wars, with one instance being at that year’s Hell in a Cell, wherein Rhodes fought through the pain of a torn pectoral muscle, turning the right portion of his chest Purple.
Not even two years later, Seth Rollins was the “shield” of Rhodes so he could finish the story against Roman Reigns at WWE WrestleMania XL. As you can see, WWE Universe, their relationship is complex. Today, Rollins feels as if he’s been the one to carry WWE through its highest of highs and lowest of lows, essentially becoming the monster he helped Cody eradicate for good.
Cody Rhodes felt the same way, thinking that Seth is full of himself, and it takes a team to get the whole ship running. The story couldn’t have been written any better, with both men holding the top prizes of their respective brands, with a chance to claim the WWE Crown Jewel Title and settle the debate once and for all regarding who’s the “top guy” in WWE.
Nobody thought this would be a technical classic full of holds and submissions, because it wasn’t. It was a straight-up fight to settle a score that had been brewing for multiple years.
Seth Rollins was on a mission tonight, looking to silence the naysayers and pick up his first win over Rhodes. With that in mind, it’s no surprise that Rollins went about this match like a house on fire. However, Rhodes would also have an answer to whatever Seth threw at him in the main event of WWE Crown Jewel Perth.
It was written all over Seth’s face; he was desperate. Rollins went for a Stomp and Pedigree early, only for Cody Rhodes to run circles around him. But somehow, an unstable Rollins would fight within himself to keep it together long enough. The WWE World Heavyweight Champion pulled out all the stops, hitting an insane Coast-to-Coast Headbutt, as well as a Pedigree and Stomp combo.
Unfortunately, that wouldn’t put away Cody. Rollins got more and more unhinged, even considering hitting Rhodes with the Rolex Watch Cody gave him back at WWE WrestleMania XL. Seth would not go through with it, but that slight hesitation would cost him. Rhodes would hit Cross Rhodes, but Seth managed to get the shoulder up.
Cody would once again try, and this time, he went for a precarious Avalanche Cross Rhodes, but a defiant Rollins would once again not give in. In one final attempt, Rhodes would have Rollins in position for a third Cross Rhodes, but Seth had an ace up his sleeve.
Behind Cody and the WWE official’s back, Seth grabbed the Rolex Watch he had set aside in the ring early in the bout. As Cody was about to hit him with the Cross Rhodes, Seth would counter, sending Cody towards the official, knocking the referee momentarily. Cody would once again try to hit his finisher, only to be greeted by a Rolex-covered fist from Rollins.
Seth Rollins would hit The Stomp, putting Rhodes’ lights out. Unsatisfied, Rollins would climb the ropes, delivering the exclamation point with a Super Stomp, winning the WWE Crown Jewel Championship, and proving why he’s “the man” in WWE.
Congratulations to WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins, our #AndNEW WWE Men’s Crown Jewel Champion.
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