Add as a preferred source on Google AJ Styles opened up about his 2024 rivalry with Cody Rhodes, when he returned to the Undisputed WWE Championship picture shortly after the American Nightmare’s win at WrestleMania 40.
During an appearance on Phenomenally Retro, the “Phenomenal One” said he enjoyed being back in the main-event scene, but admitted the build had one clear problem: everyone knew Cody was not losing the title at that point.
“I remember when Cody won the World Championship and AJ Styles was going through his dark time. The pitch was for AJ Styles to wrestle Cody Rhodes. I was like, ‘Well, freak. I just tried to get this character over being just a vicious heel, and I’m gonna have to lose if I’m wrestling Cody because we can’t flip flop the title. That’s not the way it’s gonna work.’
“So it was nice being back in the main event on the PLEs and whatnot. It’s just, knowing you’re not gonna win based on the story that we have to tell kind of sucks, but it was still great matches.”
Styles faced Rhodes at Backlash France in May 2024, in what was Cody’s first title defense after defeating Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40. Rhodes won the match and retained the Undisputed WWE Championship.
The rivalry continued at Clash at the Castle in Scotland, after Styles faked his retirement and attacked Rhodes, leading WWE to book an “I Quit” Match between them.
In the match, Rhodes once again came out on top, forcing Styles to say “I quit” and ending the rivalry with another successful title defense.