The dust has settled from WWE’s Clash in Italy, but before entirely putting the PLE and its results to bed, Cody Rhodes offered up a headline-making message to his fellow world champion, Roman Reigns.
Easy to Find and Hard to Beat, Cody Rhodes Tells Roman Reigns He Can Have a Rematch “Whenever He Wants”
As Clash in Italy, an event that saw both Rhodes and Reigns retain their respective world titles, came to an end, the two champs shared a staredown that felt like it could have massive implications. On the post-show, Rhodes kinda clarified it by rehashing a little of the history between the two bitter rivals. As Rhodes told the post-show panel (you can watch the full clip below), it’s hard for him to say anything negative to Reigns and vice versa. That’s because the two are still awaiting their rubber match.
Undisputed WWE Champion @CodyRhodes lets Roman Reigns know EXACTLY where he stands! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/P1aORjaGDO
— WWE (@WWE) May 31, 2026
Reigns was victorious at WrestleMania 39, temporarily delaying the end to Rhodes’ story. The following year in Philadelphia, with just about every legendary wrestler having a say in the outcome, Rhodes wasn’t to be denied. He won his first title in the process, and as Rhodes put it on the post-show, “he [Reigns] beat me once. I beat his ass once.”
Rhodes continued to say he told Gunther he can have a rematch whenever he wants, and he wants to add Reigns’ name to that list.
Night of Champions is In a Few Weeks…
At Night of Champions on June 27, wrestlers will be competing in the finals of the King of the Ring and Queen of the Ring tournaments to determine who gets to challenge Rhodes/Reigns and Rhea Ripley/Liv Morgan. The winners of those matches will get their shots at SummerSlam. But before SummerSlam, there is Night of Champions, a PLE that in years’ past was notable for featuring champion vs champion non-title matches. And that PLE just so happens to be in Saudi Arabia, the place set to host WWE’s first non-North American WrestleMania in its history.
Rhodes vs Reigns III
WWE has been known to pull out all the stops for its Saudi shows in an effort to impress its benefactors. And while a Rhodes/Reigns rubber match seems like the next best thing to the Rock vs Cody Rhodes for WrestleMania 43 in Saudi Arabia, there is a possibility that bout will come much sooner. WWE could pull the trigger on this huge rematch in less than a month’s time and perhaps use it to once again start building to an epic story for these two generational stars.
A rubber match between Reigns and Rhodes at this point would almost certainly need to end in a no-contest. This early into both men’s reigns, it wouldn’t make much sense for either to take a loss. Especially with Rhodes coming off a major victory against Gunther at Clash in Italy and Reigns ending the road toward glory for Jacob Fatu. Both wins were as impressive as they are symbolic.
Gunther was seen as a dominant force, having just retired John Cena and AJ Styles. Fatu was a rising star, the one guy not named Reigns who many expected could rival the Tribal Chief. But Rhodes stopped Gunther in his tracks, giving the Ring General a rare loss, even if it did come in a bit of controversial fashion. Meanwhile, Reigns put his cousin in his place, and now Fatu has to acknowledge the tribal chief or risk expulsion from the family.
Rhodes’ tease to Reigns will surely elicit a response from the OTC, perhaps as soon as Monday, as Reigns is advertised for much of the European Summer Tour. The question is, will anything come of it, or will fans need to wait for a slow build toward Reigns/Rhodes III next spring?
