Cody Rhodes pays tribute to Brock Lesnar with signature move at Backlash France

NEW DELHI: Cody Rhodes's ascent to the position of Undisputed WWE Champion by dethroning Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40 marked a significant turning point in WWE history. His victory not only ended Reigns's historic reign but also positioned him as a formidable asset to the SmackDown roster, ready to face a fresh set of challengers.
At Backlash France, Rhodes faced his first challenger as champion in a thrilling encounter against AJ Styles.The main event showcased exceptional wrestling prowess, with nods to Rhodes's storied past, including his relationship with his father Dusty Rhodes, his Stardust gimmick, and more intriguing details.

A standout moment in the match was Rhodes employing Brock Lesnar's signature Kimura submission hold. The connection between Rhodes and Lesnar traces back to their series of matches last year, culminating in a memorable encounter at Backlash 2024. Rhodes's use of the Kimura hold at Backlash France appears to pay homage to their past encounters, particularly referencing a pivotal moment where Rhodes countered Lesnar's Kimura to secure a victory.
Fans delving into Rhodes's past interviews discovered an interesting tidbit: Rhodes has a self-imposed rule to incorporate moves from wrestlers he has faced more than five times. This approach explains his adoption of the Cody Cutter from Will Ospreay and now, the utilization of Lesnar's Kimura hold, showcasing Rhodes's penchant for integrating elements from his wrestling experiences into his own repertoire.
Cody Rhodes on an old interview said, “My rule is, if I wrestle you more than five times, I can do all your stuff. It’s only my rule, and people hate it. I love the Cody Cutter. I think it’s better than an Os-Cutter, but I did get it from Will [Ospreay], so fair-play to Will, who’s super talented, beyond super talented. If I’ve wrestled you more than five times… I told Jay Lethal this once, and he hated it. He’s like, ‘No, wait, no, no, that’s not how it works.’ I can do your stuff, it’s just my rule,”.
“I’m waiting for someone to be like, ‘Hey, please don’t.’ But hey, I like to sponge. Part of what we do is, I got to lean into being a Rhodes, so I can do these Rhodes things. I got to lean into being part of the indie revival. I got all that, and I’m lucky to have been part of it. So I sponge off as much as I can. The Booker T roll [into the corner], which Jerry Lynn does as well, there’s a couple of Arn Anderson things that I do that are hard to visualize. It’s all someone else’s. I just try to put into a Nightmare package,”.
Rhodes's nod to Lesnar's move adds layers of depth to his in-ring storytelling, reflecting not only his respect for his opponents but also his strategic approach to combat. As Rhodes continues his reign as Undisputed WWE Champion, fans can anticipate further intriguing twists and references in his matches, underscoring his status as a dynamic and multifaceted performer.
(Inputs from Agencies)