Cody Rhodes Retains WWE Championship in Brutal Ladder Match at Royal Rumble 2025
SAN ANTONIO, TX – In a display of grit and athleticism that pushed the boundaries of physical endurance, Cody Rhodes successfully defended his WWE Championship against Kevin Owens in a high-stakes Ladder Match at the 2025 Royal Rumble. The Alamodome bore witness to a contest that transcended the typical brutality associated with ladder matches, as both competitors repeatedly risked their well-being in pursuit of victory. The looming shadow of WrestleMania added an extra layer of intensity, making the already perilous bumps even more concerning. The clash was a culmination of an innovative and compelling feud, a testament to the storytelling prowess of both superstars.
The match itself was a symphony of violence and ingenuity, with ladders serving as both weapons and pathways to glory. Rhodes and Owens demonstrated a mastery of the stipulation, using the unforgiving steel to inflict maximum punishment. The crowd gasped as Owens delivered a devastating Fisherman’s Buster onto a ladder, a move that momentarily silenced the arena. The gravity of the situation was underscored by the arrival of WWE officials and Sami Zayn, whose presence added a layer of intrigue to the already dramatic proceedings. Zayn, clad in a black hoodie and embodying a sense of ambiguity, watched impassively as his two friends decimated one another, his allegiance hanging precariously in the balance.
The Rhodes-Owens rivalry, while perhaps overshadowed by the monumental Bloodline saga, has been a highlight of Rhodes’ championship reign. It began unconventionally, with a heel turn executed not in the spotlight of a televised event, but rather in the shadows of a parking lot. The grainy, viral footage of Owens’ assault on Rhodes outside his tour bus, quickly disseminated through social media, was a stroke of creative genius. This guerrilla-style marketing tactic immediately established Owens as a dangerous and unpredictable force, setting the stage for a compelling narrative.
Owens further cemented his heel persona with unscripted, worked-shoot promos that blurred the lines between reality and kayfabe. His unexpected interruptions of ongoing segments, often delivered via shaky cell phone footage from his car, added a sense of realism and unpredictability to his character. This modern approach, combined with a nostalgic nod to the past in the form of the Winged Eagle Championship hanging alongside the current WWE title, created a unique and engaging storyline. The stipulation of the Ladder match, with both titles up for grabs, presented the possibility of the Winged Eagle Championship’s reinstatement, a move Rhodes had publicly advocated for in the past.
Entering the Royal Rumble, Rhodes was the overwhelming favorite, with odds of -4000 reflecting his undefeated streak at the event since his triumphant return in 2022. However, the potential for Sami Zayn’s involvement introduced an element of uncertainty. Zayn’s recent history of inadvertently striking both Rhodes and Seth Rollins with his Helluva Kick hinted at the possibility of a game-changing interference. In a match where rules are often disregarded, a Zayn heel turn, mirroring his betrayal at Hell in a Cell 2017, seemed a plausible scenario, offering Owens his only realistic path to victory.
Ultimately, Rhodes defied the odds and emerged victorious, delivering a resounding Alabama Slam onto Owens through a ladder to retain his title. The decisive victory solidified his dominance and set the stage for his WrestleMania journey. However, the night concluded with more questions than answers, particularly surrounding the enigmatic Sami Zayn. His stoic observation of his childhood friend’s brutal defeat leaves his intentions shrouded in mystery. As the Road to WrestleMania intensifies, Zayn remains an intriguing wild card, his potential actions capable of reshaping the landscape of WWE. The unresolved tension surrounding Zayn only adds to the anticipation for the upcoming Royal Rumble match itself, where he remains a dark horse contender, poised to capitalize on the chaos and potentially seize the main event spotlight at WrestleMania.
