Kurt Angle is confident that Cody Rhodes will beat Roman Reigns at WWE WrestleMania 39.
Rhodes returned from a torn pectoral muscle at WWE Royal Rumble 2023 and won the men's battle royal to punch his ticket to WrestleMania 39. Once Roman Reigns beat Sami Zayn to retain the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WWE Elimination Chamber 2023, the main event bout between the two was set for WrestleMania. Many fans have predicted that Rhodes will dethrone Reigns and end his reign, which stands at over 900 days and counting. However, others believe that Reigns could retain the gold after all.
Speaking on Rewind Recap Relive, Angle was asked to share his thoughts on Rhodes' upcoming clash with Reigns. Angle first looked back on his own match with Rhodes; they previously faced each other in a best-of-three series that concluded at Northeast Wrestling's Wrestlefest XXI in 2017. Angle described how Rhodes has always been good, but WWE didn't utilize him properly during his first run. He then expressed that the company is doing the right thing with him now.
“Cody was great. He was always good. He was young when he started out, but he was every bit as good back then as he is now. The company just didn’t utilize him properly. After he went to AEW and got some more years and made himself even more popular, WWE brought him back, and now they’re doing the right thing with him. Cody Rhodes is every bit as good as his dad and his brother. He might even be a little bit better," Angle said.
When asked whether he believes Rhodes is ready to dethone Reigns, Angle made it clear that he's sure that "The American Nightmare" will emerge victorious at WrestleMania 39. He pointed out that Reigns has had a long run, and Rhodes is hot right now. Angle also stated that Rhodes beating Reigns would be a big deal.
“Yes, I have no doubt in my mind that’s gonna happen at WrestleMania. Roman Reigns, it’s been over two years, and Cody Rhodes is really hot right now. They needed somebody to kind of ignite the company, and Cody Rhodes is doing that right now as we speak. Him beating Roman Reigns would be a big deal for the WWE and the WWE Universe," Angle said.
The WWE Hall of Famer then shared his thoughts on The Bloodline and called it one of the most over factions of all time. He compared it to D-Generation X and the New World Order, and he also highlighted the importance of Paul Heyman to the group's success.
"I think they’ve done an incredible job with it. It is one of the most over factions in history. I put them up with the nWo, DX. The Bloodline, they’ve done huge things. All these guys are Samoan, which is incredible. Then you have Sami Zayn [laughs]. But what they have done with The Bloodline and making it all about their heritage, that’s been doing amazing things for their heritage. They got so over with the help of Paul Heyman, they really have become one of the best factions of all time," Angle said.
As for Reigns, Angle stated that while he was a little green at first and Vince McMahon kept pushing him when he wasn't ready, Reigns persevered. He noted that Reigns improved and earned the right to be where he is today. Angle also shared his belief that Reigns deserves to have had his remarkably long title reign.
“Roman, when he started out, he was a little green. The reason why the fans didn’t accept him is because Vince kept pushing him when he wasn’t ready. But Roman Reigns stepped up to the challenge, he started getting better and better, and he started improving, and he earned his right to where he is today. He’s the best wrestler in the business right now, and he deserves to be champion, the longest-reigning champion in the current day. He deserves this," Angle said.
Rhodes has teased that he will have plenty of pyro at WWE WrestleMania 39. Check out his comments here.
Catch up on our coverage of the March 27 episode of WWE Raw here.
Check out the card for WWE WrestleMania 39 here.
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