Cody Rhodes Squeaks by Kevin Owens

Cody Rhodes defeated Kevin Owens at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event to retain the WWE Champion, but in a strange twist, it was babyface Rhodes who came out with a tainted victory.

Rhodes has essentially been WWE’s “golden boy” – just ask Owens –for the past two years, and if there was ever any doubt, “The American Nightmare” crushed those concerns when he defeated Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40. When Rhodes ended Reigns’ historic title run of more than 1,300 days, the widespread expectation. was – and still is – that Rhodes would hold the title all the way to and maybe even through WrestleMania 41.

Then came Owens’ epic heel turn – where he attacked both Rhodes and Randy Orton – as did reports about Owens potentially log ona new contract started to create a buzz. Now one of the most compelling characters in all of professional wrestling, Owens has a real handle on how he lost his WWE title match at Saturday night’s main event.

After an accidental ref bump, Owens hit Rhodes with a stunner and put him well past the three count – only the ref couldn’t count it. After another ref bump, Rhodes was able to set up his Cross Rhodes finisher on Owens onto a steel chair – a tactic typically reserved for a cowardly heel.

ForbesWWE Saturday Night’s Main Event Results: Gunther retains the World TitleBy Blake Oestriecher

Well, it’s doubtful anyone had that intricate finish on theirs Saturday night’s main event bingo cards.

WWE loaded the card for the return of Saturday night’s main eventand Rhodes vs. Owens – which could have very easily taken place at Survivor Series – instead found itself as the main event of the returning show, seemingly setting the stage for either an Owens upset or a clean win for Rhodes. After all, it was right at the Bash in Berlin in August that Owens lost to Rhodes, but certainly under much different circumstances.

They were both babyfaces, still loosely aligned as allies and ranked among the most popular stars in the company. Rhodes still fits as WWE’s top star, but his reign as champion had lacked that truly memorable rivalry. Then came Owens, who hasn’t held a world title in nearly a decade and has had legitimate issues with Rhodes that make sense from a storyline perspective.

Owens has had to deal with The Bloodline more than anyone, and then it was Rhodes’ apparent reconciliation with Roman Reigns and The Bloodline that sent him over the edge. Owens feels justified in his actions, which is what has made his heel turn so compelling. He actually has a legitimate reason to be angry with Rhodes, and now he has even more reason to spite Rhodes after the WWE Champion took a shortcut to retain his title on Saturday night.

Call it what you will, but just a few months ago, no one could have imagined that Rhodes would retain the WWE Championship like that in 2024.

However, Rhodes has teased it his plans for WrestleMania 41 will surprise fans and perhaps hint that he will splinter into another rivalry in the coming weeks. But the first real shocker came at Saturday night’s main event when Rhodes brought back the WWE classic winged eagle championship only to take the easy way out to leave with the belt in hand.

If there’s one thing that WWE fans can expect during Triple H’s creative era – which has allowed WWE to rise to heights it’s never been seen before – it’s long-term storytelling. Thus, there is a real path for Rhodes to continue his feud with Owens after the way he defeated his former friend inside the Nassau Coliseum.

Owens may have lost at Saturday night’s main eventbut that finish suggests there is more to come between Rhodes and the former world champion. After all, Owens spent the last few months establishing himself as a great antagonist, the type of WWE star who can carry a world championship without anyone questioning it. Now he has a legitimate grip that could give him another shot at the gold.

And while some fans will question the decision to book a babyface Rhodes like that, WWE’s current creative regime pays attention to smaller details when it comes to booking. This means that Rhodes’ cheap victory did not come by accident.

Owens is worthy of holding championship gold in an era where long title reigns ensure that only a few stars do, and while he’s not WWE Champion yet, the tainted finish should earn him another shot at it.