The Top Stars with a Real Shot at Dethroning Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship

The WWE Championship is one of the most coveted titles in professional wrestling. Cody Rhodes recently captured it following a historic match at WrestleMania, marking a thrilling journey for the American Nightmare. However, his title reign is already facing immense pressure from a host of formidable contenders. This article highlights the top stars who could realistically challenge Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship.

The Current Landscape

The landscape of the WWE Championship is far from static. Despite the strong credentials of Cody Rhodes, the path to retaining his title is fraught with challenges. While some of his recent challengers like AJ Styles, Logan Paul, and Solo Sikoa were exciting, none posed a severe threat to his reign. This reality underscores the need for a new legitimate challenger to arise.

Emerging Contenders and Their Strengths

The following are the top stars who have a real shot at dethroning Cody Rhodes and claiming the coveted WWE Championship.

Roman Reigns

Leading the list is undoubtedly Roman Reigns, the longest reigning and most dominant champion in the modern era. Reigns' return to the main event is imminent, and his storyline with the Bloodline is steadily escalating. His support base is enormous, and his continued participation on SmackDown makes him a legitimate threat. A rematch with Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam or another major event would be a compelling storyline, setting the stage for a potential title change.

The Rock

The Rock, known as the ‘Great One,’ is one of the biggest stars in WWE and a former WWE Champion. His grudge against Cody Rhodes from their WrestleMania 33 match makes him a plausible challenger. The Rock’s immense popularity and his ability to generate buzz around his matches make any feud with Cody an exciting prospect. A potential storyline could involve The Rock duelling with Bloodline members, creating a formidable team against Rhodes.

Drew McIntyre

Drew McIntyre completes the top five with his sheer unpredictability and immense fan support. As the current leader of the new Bloodline faction, McIntyre’s storyline with Punk on Raw forces the WWE to either unify the brands or push McIntyre to SmackDown. If pushed to SmackDown, McIntyre would become a credible adversary to Cody. His unbeaten run and fan base could easily make him a title contender. A storyline where McIntyre turns heel due to his rivalry with Punk or another star could shift him towards the title picture.

CM Punk

CM Punk, even in his post-prime days, remains a massive star. With the possibility of a Punk heel turn, he could morph into a credible challenger for the WWE Championship. A storyline where Punk turns face, then back to heel, offers multiple avenues to push the narrative further. His connection with AEW (All Elite Wrestling) could provide additional depth to his storyline, making him a complex and multifaceted character. CM Punk’s legend continues to attract attention, and his return to face Cody Rhodes could be a compelling narrative.

Randy Orton

Randy Orton’s return to Raw for a title match against Gunther adds another dynamic layer to the title race. Given his technical status as a SmackDown wrestler, Orton could theoretically challenge Cody Rhodes. A storyline involving a friendly title match might maintain audience interest, but his inclusion as a potential title winner presents a unique prospect. Fans would enjoy seeing Orton in a different heel position, leveraging their historical rivalry and making the challenge even more compelling.

Conclusion

The future of the WWE Championship is uncertain, with Cody Rhodes holding a brief reign. The landscape is ripe for a legitimate challenger to emerge, and these five stars present the strongest contenders. Each brings a unique dynamic and fan base that makes them a compelling choice for the WWE Championship. As the WWE continues to craft its upcoming episodes and events, these feuds could well define the next era of professional wrestling in WWE.

Keywords

- Cody Rhodes - WWE Championship - SmackDown - WrestleMania