Royal Rumble 2025 proved to be as exciting as it was anticipated, showcasing many surprises and exhilarating moments. One of the standout highlights occurred when Cody Rhodes defended his Undisputed WWE Championship against Kevin Owens in a grueling ladder match. However, this electrifying encounter came at a significant cost for Rhodes.
According to Jackie Redmond of WWE, Rhodes has suffered “multiple injuries” during his fierce match against Owens. “We all saw how intense that ladder match between Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens was,” Redmond reported, referencing insights from The Movement Pro Wrestling. “I can’t confirm the intensity or severity of those injuries, but what I can tell you is that they’re bad enough that Cody will not be addressing the media in tonight’s press conference. In fact, his in-ring status might even be up in the air as well.” Despite these injuries, Redmond confirmed that Rhodes would still be in attendance at Friday Night SmackDown this coming week.
Having witnessed the match firsthand, it is no surprise that both wrestlers left the ring significantly worse for wear. Numerous spots during the match appeared to be absolutely brutal. One particularly harrowing moment came when Rhodes reversed a package pile driver, tossing Owens back-first onto the edge of a grounded ladder. Almost immediately, Owens retaliated by executing a powerbomb on Rhodes onto a ladder in the corner, seemingly making contact with Rhodes’ head in a dangerous manner.
The match climaxed when Owens attempted to deliver the package pile driver again, but Rhode skillfully countered it into an Alabama Slam onto a ladder, which ultimately broke upon impact. This intensity and brutality culminated in an unforgettable experience for fans, but at a significant personal toll for both competitors.
The concern surrounding Cody Rhodes’ well-being raises pressing questions about what this means for the future of WWE’s main event scene, especially with WrestleMania 41 looming just 77 days away. The potential ramifications of his injuries could have a lasting impact, not only on his career but also on the championship landscape as a whole.
As enthusiastic fans of wrestling, we can only hope that both Rhodes and Owens make swift recoveries from their injuries. The wrestling community is eager to see these two skilled athletes back in action soon, healthier and ready for the challenges that lie ahead. Their performances are pivotal for the excitement leading into WrestleMania, which promises to be another electrifying chapter in WWE history.