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Going into WrestleMania 39, most fans were certain that Roman Reigns' time as the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion was finally coming to an end. It seemed to be that The American Nightmare's destiny was about to come true. Instead, Reigns won yet again. The next night on Raw, Brock Lesnar appeared by Cody's side to be his partner in a match against Reigns and Solo Sikoa. However, before it ever started, Lesnar turned heel, brutally attacking Rhodes. The Beast Incarnate is now a bad guy again, and Rhodes is immediately moving away from Reigns to face him. It's a creative decisin that isn't good for either man.
Cody Rhodes Lost Much Of His Momentum In One Night
In the weeks leading into WrestleMania, Cody Rhodes was getting a huge response from fans, which seemed to grow louder on every Raw. The fear that fans would turn against him, like they had in AEW, in favor of Sami Zayn were certainly put to rest. His run as the face of WWE was inevitable. Instead, he lost in such a heartbreaking fashion, that it took all the wind out of his sails. Everything he'd worked to build was suddenly crushed.
Just as bad was Rhodes' next night on Raw. The fans continued to cheer him, but that aura around him was severely damaged. He may have still confronted Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa, but there wasn't as much excitement about it now. Reigns wasn't going to lose to him or anyone else anytime soon. When Lesnar came out to stand by Rhodes' side, Rhodes became the smiling babyface, putting his arm around his new partner, a man he barely knows, and who he, and no one else, has any reason to trust. When Lesnar attacked him, it wasn't a shock. You could see the move coming. All it did for Rhodes was make him look stupid. His character had been so smart in his feuds with Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns. Now he was so easily willing to trust Lesnar and turn his back to him.
RELATED: Brock Lesnar's Cody Rhodes Attack Planned A Month In Advance
Brock Lesnar Was Working Well As A Babyface
One of the best decisions WWE has made over the last few years was to turn Brock Lesnar into a babyface. Ever since returning to WWE in 2011, Lesnar had been the silent assassin with Paul Heyman as his mouthpiece. Despite fan frustration over his dull title reigns, he was a presence who always got your attention. The act ran its course though and The Beast Incarnate was beginning to feel like a nostalgia act. It was a breath of fresh air when Lesnar turned face. He surprised many with how good of a charismatic talker he had become. Just as important was how much fun he seemed to be having. He became a highly entertaining and easy to cheer for babyface.
It was disappointing to see Lesnar fall so far down the WrestleMania card this year, as a match with Omos was not something anyone had been clamoring to see. Still, he made the best of it, and fans cheered him as loudly as ever. Now he's back to being a heel. From a storyline perspective, it makes sense. Lesnar is jealous that Cody Rhodes was the main event while he was the first match of the night. But for Lesnar to go back to playing a character that had become so tiresome won't work, especially now without Paul Heyman in his corner. Perhaps it could lead to Lesnar evolving again as a charismatic heel who speaks for himself, but if he's back to being the silent brute who delivers a few German suplexes and an F5, then leaves, it will be a giant step back for him.
RELATED: Brock Lesnar Unsure How Long He'll Be Around, Technically Retired In 2020
What If Cody Rhodes Loses To Brock Lesnar?
After WrestleMania 39, Triple H addressed criticism of the Reigns vs Rhodes outcome by saying that the story isn't over yet. Perhaps he has it all thought out. Maybe giving Rhodes the championship at WrestleMania was viewed as too easy. Maybe he needs to go through his own hard times, just like his father, Dusty Rhodes, did, beating big name after big name, overcoming the odds, until he finally defeats Reigns at somewhere like SummerSlam. Though WWE will never get back what could have been an all-time WrestleMania moment with a Rhodes victory, having him win at SummerSlam could still work.
But what if the plan is not for Rhodes to beat Lesnar, likely at Backlash next month in Puerto Rico? What if Rhodes walks in and is squashed by Lesnar? If that happens, there is no coming back for Cody Rhodes. Whatever momentum he has left will be completely destroyed. Facing Lesnar would have been a great first feud for a champion Cody Rhodes, but now, even if Rhodes wins, it's underwhelming for both him and Lesnar.
