Cody Rhodes arrived on SmackDown this week for a high-stakes confrontation with his WrestleMania 40 Night 2 adversary, Roman Reigns. In a battle of wits, Rhodes managed to outmaneuver the Tribal Chief, demonstrating his strategic prowess.

Following an agreement made on Monday Night RAW, Paul Heyman ensured that Reigns would confront Rhodes alone, provided Rhodes also appeared without any backup.

True to their word, both competitors faced off on SmackDown, engaging in a heated verbal exchange ahead of their impending clash for the Undisputed WWE Universal title at WrestleMania. As the segment reached its climax, Reigns, in a show of apparent respect, declined Rhodes’s handshake before abruptly leaving the ring.

However, his departure was short-lived as he signaled for his Bloodline allies, Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso, to attack Rhodes. Anticipating this move, Rhodes had a contingency plan in place, calling upon his WrestleMania partner, Seth Rollins, and Jey Uso to even the odds and thwart the ambush.

Following the conclusion of the show, Rhodes broke his silence, taking to social media to send a cryptic message to Reigns. With the enigmatic phrase “Bottom of the 9th,” Rhodes hinted at the impending conclusion of their long-standing rivalry, signaling the climax of their feud.

As WrestleMania 40 draws near, the anticipation for the showdown between Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns continues to build. With Rhodes determined to rectify past injustices and claim the World championship, fans eagerly await the culmination of this epic saga at The Grandest Stage of Them All.