Cody Rhodes Believes He Proved He’s “The Champ” At WWE SummerSlam

Cody Rhodes says he proved his doubters wrong by winning the Undisputed WWE Championship for the second time at SummerSlam.

In the main event of SummerSlam, Cody Rhodes brought John Cena’s final World Title run to an end after a Cody Cutter through a table and multiple Cross Rhodes. The victory marked the beginning of The American Nightmare’s second reign with the Undisputed WWE Championship, having also been the man to end Roman Reigns’ historic title run at WrestleMania 40.

During an interview with Jimmy Traina on SI Media, Rhodes reflected on his second victory. As he waited to make his entrance, the star realised that he was in the same place where he hid under the stage after his match was cut from WrestleMania 29.

“I took a moment before the match and before John handed [the title] to me. I thought this memory would be way more present, but as I was under the stage, it hit me, and I’m shocked I didn’t remember this…that is the stage I went and hid under after my match got cut at WrestleMania 29. The same place I’m getting in the elevator to rise up and hopefully get number two, is where I sat in my feelings after getting my match cut, meaning my match was taken off the show minutes before it happened.”

“This Time, I Felt Like, ‘I’m The Champ.'” – Cody Rhodes On Second Undisputed WWE Championship Win

Cody Rhodes says the feeling going into the SummerSlam bout was very different from WrestleMania 40, as this time he was able to prove himself without the cast of characters involved in that match.

“When I realized that and I was coming up (the elevator), is where I really wanted to take stock of every feeling I had. The first time, WrestleMania 40, was a completely different feeling because I felt like I was capturing something that involved so many people. Of course , my dad [Dusty Rhodes], trying to finish his story. All the medley of characters that were involved in the big schmooze at the end.

“This one felt, selfishly, for me, in terms of, ‘See, I told you.’ Not in a mean-spirited way, but ‘I told you.’ I was the right guy for the job and I’ve been the right guy for the job,’ but nobody believes that when you’re another wrestler as much as you’re going to make somebody go through it, you put me through it. That feeling felt like ‘I’m the champ.’ The first time, I don’t remember thinking to myself, ‘I’m the champ.’ This time, I felt like, ‘I’m the champ.’”

When he was asked why he didn’t feel like the champion after his first win, Rhodes explained that he might have been thinking too far ahead at what could happen after the victory, whereas at SummerSlam, he was in the moment.

“I don’t know, I think because of all the emotions and WrestleMania 40, everything that was going into it and the component of the Final Boss [The Rock]. I might have had too much of my vision on the road ahead if it happens. ‘Oh, what could be,’ versus this one where it felt like, ‘Yes, I wasn’t lying to you guys. I’ll keep doing this. If you want to move the goalposts, move them. If you want to tell me I’m not, tell me, but I’m going to do what I did tonight.’”

Do you think Cody Rhodes has now solidified himself in the main event? Who do you think he should face in his second reign? Let us know your thoughts below!

H/T to Fightful for the above transcription.