In a surprising moment during his King of the Ring semi-final match on this past Monday’s episode of WWE RAW, Cody Rhodes utilized a move famously associated with Brock Lesnar. Rhodes applied the Kimura Lock to his opponent, Jey Uso, in a high-stakes bout between the two friendly rivals.
The use of the submission hold was a notable decision, as the Kimura Lock is a signature part of Lesnar’s arsenal and not a move typically used by Rhodes. The maneuver immediately caught the attention of viewers due to its direct connection to the former WWE Champion.
This televised nod to Lesnar is particularly significant given his status within the company. Lesnar has not appeared on WWE programming since his match against Rhodes at SummerSlam in 2023. His conspicuous absence followed his name being connected to the lawsuit filed by Janel Grant against Vince McMahon, leading WWE to largely avoid mentioning him on its shows.
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By bringing the Kimura Lock back into a WWE ring, Rhodes’ action, whether a simple strategic choice or a deliberate reference, directly recalls a figure the company has kept at a distance. The move quickly sparked conversation online, marking a rare on-air acknowledgment of Lesnar’s legacy amid ongoing controversy.
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