Cody Rhodes defeated Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam, but only just.
Before the bell even rang, Rhodes attacked Lesnar, and went in search of a quick win, but those hopes were soon dashed
Despite Rhodes’ fast start, the match quickly fell into the pattern of so many Brock Lesnar matches of the last decade. Loads of Suplexes, and plenty of camera shots of Lesnar’s opponents looking utterly broken.
With the demolition in full swing, Lesnar took to screaming at Rhodes, imploring him to quit and let himself get counted out because “It’s only going to get worse.”
As it turned out, those words weren’t just an idle threat and proved something of a prophecy. Seemingly annoyed that the American Nightmare kept getting up, Lesnar snapped, hitting an F-5 outside the ring. But again, Rhodes got up and back in the ring and somehow tried to take the fight to his rival.
Unsurprisingly the rally failed and Rhodes was hit with another F-5, this time through the announce table as Michael Cole on commentary begged him to stay down. Even Corey Graves questioned why Rhodes was determined to throw himself into the punishment.
But once again, the former AEW star got back in the ring and tried in vain to fight back, only to be Suplexed some more. Or so it appeared. During one Suplex, Cody ripped the turnbuckle pad off, before hammering Lesnar with the steel steps and into the ring post on the outside.
Sensing an opportunity Rhodes got on a run, hitting a Disaster Kick and then two Cody Cutters, including one from the top rope.
This time it was Lesnar’s turn to dig deep and he locked in a Kimura Lock but eventually, Rhodes found his way to the rope. The Beast tried to stay on top and put Rhodes up for another F-5, but he revered it and pushed Lesnar into the exposed turnbuckle and followed up with a Kimura of his own.
Although Lesnar broke free — and out of what was left of his shorts — Rhodes delivered three Cross Rhodes to score a popular win.
What Happened After Cody Rhodes Beat Brock Lesnar?
With the match over, Lesnar gathered himself and took off his trademark MMA gloves, and began to approach Rhodes once more. Naturally, Rhodes was skeptical, but after the pair went nose-to-nose they embraced in the middle of the ring, and Lesnar raised Rhodes’ hand.
The victory marked another big moment for Cody Rhodes after he made the “easy” decision to leave AEW in February 2022.
Following the SummerSlam victory, Rhodes would describe how he felt after the physical encounter.