Cody Rhodes will wrestle his first televised match on WWE SmackDown since 2016, when he competed as Stardust, losing to Apollo Crews.
A match between Rhodes and Ludwig Kaiser will take place on next Friday night’s episode of SmackDown. The match came about when Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci interrupted an interview with Rhodes on The SmackDown LowDown.
Kaiser mocked Rhodes and sarcastically called him a “hero” for entering the Royal Rumble last and eliminating Gunther, who had been in the Rumble for over an hour. Kaiser said to Rhodes that all he proved is that he is pathetic. Kaiser then called Gunther the future and said that Rhodes is nothing but all hype.
Rhodes then challenged Kaiser to a match on next Friday night’s WWE SmackDown, in which Kaiser accepted. The interview segment with Cody Rhodes starts at the 2:43 minute mark of The SmackDown LowDown.
Rhodes is scheduled to challenge Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania 39. It was announced Friday night that Gunther will defend the Intercontinental Championship against Drew McIntyre and Sheamus in a Triple Threat Match at WrestleMania 39.
Below is the current card for next Friday night’s WWE SmackDown.
-Cody Rhodes vs. Ludwig Kaiser
-Rey Mysterio vs. LA Knight