Brock Lesnar’s match with Cody Rhodes at WWE Backlash was arguably more important for what it represented than what actually happened in the ring.
Rhodes was coming off the back of a loss to Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 39 and was looking to rebuild. In the eyes of many fans, Rhodes had been expected to triumph at WrestleMania, so what came next was vital.
If Rhodes lost to Lesnar many fans had suggested that the bloom would be well and truly off the American Nightmare rose, but if he won, he was back on track and on the way to more big-match glory.
In front of a raucous crowd in Puerto Rico, it was Rhodes who scored the win, reversing a Kimora lock to pin The Beast. Before the bell even rang, Rhodes had attacked Lesnar with a chair, only to be flattened by a number of suplexes when the action officially got underway.
The major flashpoint in the match came when Lesnar was busted open on an exposed turnbuckle and bled heavily for the rest of the contest.
There had been rumours and speculation heading into the match that Rhodes would be “squashed” and leave the event in an ambulance. However, a new report from Fightful Select has dismissed those claims.
The report notes that blood was planned in the match, and WWE sources claim that the action went off as planned. Furthermore, Rhodes was never scheduled to be squashed. There were also no plans for an ambulance or stretcher to be involved.
However, there was talk of the match between Bad Bunny and Damian Priest taking the headline spot instead.
Brock Lesnar To “Make Intentions Known”
While it was Cody Rhodes who scored the win, it appears that his rivalry with Brock Lesnar isn’t over. A report from WRKD Wrestling has stated that Lesnar will “quickly make his intentions known.”
Meanwhile, Rhodes will participate in the 12-man tournament to crown a new World Heavyweight Champion.