‘The American Nightmare’ Cody Rhodes now WWE’s Undisputed Champion has one more obstacle to tackle, completing his father’s story at Backlash. Since dethroning the ‘Tribal Chief’ of the Bloodline, Roman Reigns, The American Nightmare has announced his challenger who is one of six he will challenge to defend his title at Backlash.
Santos Escobar, Rey Mysterio, LA Knight (YEAH!), ‘The Phenomenal’ AJ Styles, ‘The Almighty’ Bobby Lashley and finally, ‘KO’ Kevin Owens.
LA Knight vs. AJ Styles
On 12th April live on WWE’s Friday Night Smackdown, LA Knight defeated, Bobby Lashley and Santos Escobar in a triple-threat match, to advance to the final two. However, the fastest-rising star in WWE, LA Knight, would have to wait later in the show to witness who he would be fighting to become the number one contender for The American Nightmare’s WWE Undisputed Championship.
And to his surprise, AJ Styles would seize the opportunity in his match to capitalise on Mysertio’s mistake and hit the ‘Styles Clash’ on Rey landing on a beat-stricken Kevin Owen’s to secure the final spot for the number one contenders match.
For LA Knight to verse AJ Styles, is another chapter in their heated rivalry. Since their first encounter when they mutually thwarted the Bloodline back in December Styles surprised the whole WWE universe to clothesline the fastest-rising star in WWE. Since then, their rivalry continued to grow through to the Royal Rumble, WrestleMania and now to the number one contenders match.
In a match that no one could predict, both wrestlers were eager to earn the title opportunity. Fuelled by their rivalry, the match could not be determined as momentum swung to LA Knight and then to AJ Styles. Coming down to the final stages of their match Knight hit his big elbow and began to prime his BFT, but AJ was quick to react and rolled out to the ropes. Playing possum, AJ pulled Knight’s face down to the rope followed by a strong hit to the face for Styles to jump to the top rope and hit the ‘Phenomenal Forearm’…1…2…3… AJ Styles defeated LA Knight to challenge Cody Rhodes at Backlash.
The main event is set, and it will be ‘The American Nightmare’ Cody Rhodes versus ‘The Phenomenal’ AJ Styles for the WWE Undisputed Championship at Backlash. But this match is more than just a fight for glory, it is a chance to complete another story.
AJ Styles vs. ‘The American Dream’ Dusty Rhodes
For AJ Styles this is his chance to dethrone two generations of a family who has created a royal stature inside the professional wrestling industry. But to understand this better we must go back over 20 years live on NWA-TNA PPV, episode number 65 on the 8th of October 2003. The main event is for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship between AJ Styles and Dusty Rhodes.
Before this showdown Styles had humiliated the ‘The American Dream’ that led to this main event challenge. The young and angered AJ Styles sought to humiliate Dusty Rhodes even more in a title match that Styles had held for more than two months. But would this young AJ be able to win against one of the prestigious icons in professional wrestling? Or can ‘The American Dream’ claim his ultimate dream to claim his fourth NWA World Heavyweight title? Ring the bell…
After one minute of soaking up the atmosphere, Styles led the fight with a strong kick to the leg of Rhodes. But AJ could not maintain momentum as Rhodes took the fight outside the ring wearing AJ down in front of the crowd. Regaining his composure, AJ struck back with a series of punches, making ‘The Dream’ bleed. But it did not stop Dusty from fighting back, striking AJ with a chair, and buying himself time to recharge. Again, the momentum swung back to Styles dragging Dusty back to the ring to continue his vicious assault on the wounded Rhodes. To the point where Dusty struggled to maintain his balance. But ‘The Dream’ did not quit, striking AJ to his knees.
As the fight continued the two superstars kept trading blows back and forth but Styles was able to maximise his speed and cunning to drop Rhodes down to his knees and attempt the headlock, Dusty gaining composure and rallying the support from the fans and tried to gain the advantage but again AJ with his speed and strength throw all his weight attempting the pin but kicked out of two.
Kick after kick, punch after punch Styles tried as much as he could eventually going high risk from the top rope, but Dusty moved out of the way leaving AJ to support his left knee. Dusty taking advantage of a beat-stricken Styles takes the action outside of the ring and damages the knee off the metal post. And the momentum swings back to Rhodes activating the figure four leglock. Pain and anguish strike like a viper as Styles struggles not to tap.
But the pain overcame AJ as he threw the referee outside of the ring and eventually tapped out, but there was no official to witness Styles tapping out. Believing that Dusty has won, he stands up to check ringside, but cunning as he is Styles gets thrown a baseball bat and targets the vulnerable leg of Dusty. Now both superstars are down in pain. With the anger boiling once again, Styles uses the figure four leglock against Dusty, eventually using the rope as support without the referee noticing to secure the pinfall.
Passed out from the pain Dusty Rhodes lost against the young and anger-driven AJ Styles to defend his NWA World Heavyweight Championship.
The American Nightmare vs. The Phenomenal One
For AJ Styles to stand victorious against the late Dusty Rhodes twenty years later and now versing Dusty’s son, Cody, is a story that remains unfinished in the eyes of ‘The American Nightmare’. But this will not be an easy challenge to conquer, pinning the Tribal Chief was difficult for Cody at WrestleMania 40, but to do it against an opponent who is also highly specialised in their in-ring ability; The American Nightmare’s first title defence sounds like a difficult one.
So, will AJ Styles dethrone The American Nightmare to claim his third WWE Championship? Or will Cody Rhodes finish his father’s story and triumph against ‘The Phenomenal One?’
If you are interested in more WWE content then why check out: “The Epic Showdown: The Rock vs Triple H – Who Will Reign Supreme?” or “Remembering Bray Wyatt: A Legacy in Professional Wrestling“
Image Credit: Ed Webster, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
