When one of WWE’s top stars loses the championship, the fallout often goes beyond the ring. For Cody Rhodes, WrestleMania 41 was such a moment—a loss to John Cena, an emotional ending to a 378-day title reign, and a subsequent period of relative silence and absence. Now, with Brock Lesnar’s dramatic return at SummerSlam 2025, Rhodes has finally weighed in with comments that reflect WWE’s evolving direction. But what exactly has Rhodes said? And how legitimate is the idea that he’s taking time off after WrestleMania? This article delves into both themes.
The WrestleMania Setback
Cody Rhodes entered WrestleMania 41 as the Undisputed WWE Champion, having defended the title successfully against many challengers over more than a year. His reign lasted 378 days—a significant accomplishment.
However, on Night Two of WrestleMania, Rhodes faced John Cena in a high-stakes match. Cena won the match, reclaiming the world title and setting a WWE record with his 17th world championship.
In the aftermath, Rhodes was visibly emotional and reportedly declined interviews. Fans and media noticed that Rhodes was not immediately back on TV or heavily promoted, leading to speculation about his physical and emotional state.
Signs of a Break
Following WrestleMania, several indicators suggested that Rhodes might be taking a pause—or being given a breather—by WWE.
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Silence and Withdrawal
Rhodes reportedly declined backstage interviews after the loss. He also was absent from several post-WrestleMania shows where he might otherwise be expected. -
Lack of Advertising and Promotion
Before WrestleMania, Rhodes was one of WWE’s “face” promoters—featured heavily in marketing. After, there were fewer promos, meet-and-greets, and advertised appearances. This subtle decline raised eyebrows among fans and pundits. Sportskeeda+1 -
Speculation in Media
Wrestling-news websites and analysts speculated that Cody Rhodes might be in a storyline that includes either taking time off or stepping back, maybe to regroup, rebrand, or physically recover. Some reports even explored, hypothetically, whether he could quit or reduce his in-ring role for a while.
Critics and fans voiced concern that the longer the absence, the more danger there is of losing momentum. According to some pieces, Rhodes’ absence may “hurt the character more than a loss” if not handled carefully.
What Rhodes Has Said
For months, Rhodes remained relatively quiet about the WrestleMania loss. Public comments were scarce, which added weight to the speculation of a break or a downturn in his schedule.
Lesnar made his return during SummerSlam 2025—just after Rhodes defeated John Cena to capture back or maintain a top title (depending on context). Lesnar had been absent from WWE since SummerSlam 2023.
Rhodes was interviewed by ESPN following SummerSlam, and made the following comments about Lesnar:
“Brock, in terms of athleticism — one of the things we did was hold tryouts going into SummerSlam weekend, and you have so many NIL athletes. You have so many people coming from the world of sport. Tiffany Stratton’s a great example of someone on our roster now who came from sports and grew into becoming a professional wrestler and part of sports entertainment.”
“Brock is somebody who’s an NCAA Champion, a UFC Heavyweight Champion. He fits right in with the direction that WWE is going — where sport meets entertainment. Also, I should point out the last person who beat Brock Lesnar is standing right here.”
What “Sport Meets Entertainment” Means
The phrase “sport meets entertainment” signals WWE’s continued balancing act: using the legitimacy and prestige of athletic accomplishments while preserving the larger-than-life, scripted spectacle that fans expect. Rhodes’ mentioning of Lesnar’s credentials (NCAA, UFC) is not just flattery—it positions Lesnar as someone who bridges those worlds.
This aligns with broader WWE trends:
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Holding tryouts that draw athletes from varied sports (NIL athletes, meaning Name, Image, Likeness athletes) who may not have wrestling backgrounds.
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Featuring wrestlers who deliver both performance in ring and narrative roles—strong characters, promo skills, physicality.
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Tapping into fan nostalgia and respect for past-performers like Lesnar, who bring credibility.
Rhodes noting that “the last person who beat Brock Lesnar is standing right here” is a nod to credibility—reaffirming Rhodes as still relevant, strong, and able to share the spotlight with big returns. It’s a subtle way of saying: “Yes, Lesnar is back, but don’t forget who I am.”
Is Rhodes Really Taking a Break?
There is no official announcement from WWE confirming a long‐term hiatus for Rhodes. But several pieces of evidence make it credible that he took—or is taking—a short break, at least in terms of appearances and storyline momentum.
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Booking Patterns: After WrestleMania, Rhodes was not featured heavily, and appeared less on Raw/SmackDown or in advertised matches.
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Media Silence: Rhodes avoided interviews immediately after his loss.
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Fan & Analyst Observations: Multiple sites pointed out “3 signs” that Rhodes may be stepping back temporarily.
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Timing: WrestleMania is WWE’s biggest stage; following that with some rest or recalibration is not unusual. For someone in Rhodes’ position—elder statesman status, heavy schedule, family commitments—it could be part of the plan.
That said, Rhodes’ return was stronger than many expected. He came back in time for Saturday Night’s Main Event on May 24, 2025, helping Jey Uso and interfering in Cena/Logan Paul segments. Also, he won the King of the Ring tournament in June 2025. So the break, if it happened, was finite.
The Strategic Value of a Pause
Why might WWE or Rhodes himself favor a short break after WrestleMania?
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Physical & Mental Recovery
Wrestling at the top level is demanding. Long title runs = many matches, promos, travel. A loss of a major match like WrestleMania can take both physical and emotional tolls. -
Storytelling Reset
Coming off a big loss, especially one surrounded by fan expectations and criticism, affords an opportunity to rebook, change character direction, shift rivalries, or recharge the fan interest. -
Maintaining Star Power
Absence can sometimes make fans desire a comeback more. If Rhodes had stayed on television constantly after such a loss, risk of overexposure and fatigue (both for him and the audience) might set in. -
Elevating New Stories / Building Others
With Rhodes out of the immediate spotlight, WWE has canvas to elevate other talent—alliances, feuds, storylines—without his prominence dominating everything. -
Aligning with Broader Strategy
Rhodes’ comments about Lesnar and “sport meets entertainment” suggest WWE is defining a narrative arc. Rhodes stepping aside briefly could let Lesnar be re-introduced as a powerful disruptor, and then Rhodes returns with interest or stakes.
Lesnar’s Return & Its Implications
Brock Lesnar’s return at SummerSlam wasn’t just a cameo—it’s a high-impact moment with multiple implications, and Rhodes’ comments indicate he sees it that way.
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Lesnar attacked John Cena after Cena’s match with Rhodes, delivering a F5. This sets up new conflict lines, perhaps for Cena, Lesnar, and/or Rhodes.
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Rhodes’ acknowledgement of Lesnar’s athletic and competitive credentials signals WWE’s desire to preserve Lesnar’s aura while integrating him into current storylines.
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For Rhodes, it’s both a challenge and opportunity: sharing stage with Lesnar brings attention, but also demands he assert his own relevance.
Fan Reaction and Critical Views
Reactions to Rhodes’ handling of affairs post-WrestleMania have been mixed.
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Some praise: many believe Rhodes deserves respect for his long title run and for handling his defeat with dignity. The idea of him stepping back to regroup is seen as reasonable.
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Some critiques: fans have wondered whether silence and absence degrade momentum for a top star. Critics argue that too much time off or appearing less frequently can cause a star to lose the edge.
Similarly, Lesnar’s return has fans excited but also wary, especially given past returns (for other legends) that felt “cheap” or overused. Rhodes’ embracing of Lesnar’s comeback is seen by some as aligning with WWE’s strategy; others see risk in overshadowing younger talent.
Looking Forward: What’s Next for Rhodes?
Based on what’s known, here are likely directions for Cody Rhodes in the second half of 2025:
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Return to Full-Time Storylines: Having regained momentum after SummerSlam and other events, Rhodes will likely be involved in major feuds (possibly involving Lesnar or Cena).
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Character Growth: The WrestleMania loss + break gives opportunity to evolve his character, perhaps deepen his promos, change style, or adopt a more driven mindset.
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Title Picture: Given past status, Rhodes will likely be in world-title contention again. The King of the Ring win and SummerSlam show of strength position him well.
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Mentoring / Elevating Others: As he shares screen time with returning legends (like Lesnar) and rising stars, Rhodes may be pivotal in elevating others, helping WWE set up new stars.
Conclusion
Cody Rhodes’ loss at WrestleMania 41 marked a turning point. What followed—the silence, reduced visibility, reports of taking time off—suggests both personal processing and perhaps a strategic pause. Then came Brock Lesnar’s return at SummerSlam, and Rhodes’ remarks bear witness: Lesnar fits WWE’s evolving vision of blending athletic credibility with spectacle, and Rhodes himself remains central to that narrative.
While Rhodes may have taken a brief break, the evidence suggests it was neither permanent nor inactive; instead, it looks like a reset. His comments, actions since, and the unfolding storylines show WWE is charting a new course—and Rhodes appears ready to lead (or at least heavily feature) in what comes next.
