Cody Rhodes vs. AJ Styles Set for WWE Backlash 2024 After Win vs. LA Knight
Mike Chiari@@mikechiari
Featured Columnist IVApril 20, 2024
AJ Styles defeated LA Knight on Friday night's episode of SmackDown to earn an undisputed WWE Championship match against Cody Rhodes at Backlash in Lyon, France, on May 4.
Styles earned the win after pinning Knight following a Phenomenal Forearm.
Afterward, Rhodes had a message for Styles.
WWE @WWEThe Undisputed WWE Champion <a href="https://twitter.com/CodyRhodes?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CodyRhodes</a> has a message for the No.1 Contender, <a href="https://twitter.com/AJStylesOrg?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AJStylesOrg</a>... 😤<br><br>NEXT WEEK: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WWEBacklash?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WWEBacklash</a> Contract Signing! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SmackDown?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SmackDown</a> <a href="https://t.co/696QbhMobi">pic.twitter.com/696QbhMobi</a>
Friday marked a WrestleMania 40 rematch between Knight and Styles. Knight was victorious on the Grandest Stage of Them All, but the stakes were even higher on SmackDown with a WWE title opportunity hanging in the balance.
After Rhodes finished his story by beating Roman Reigns in the main event of WrestleMania and ending his world title reign of over 1,300 days, a series of matches were held to determine his first challenger.
Knight won a Triple Threat match against Bobby Lashley and Santos Escobar, and Styles followed that up winning a Triple Threat match of his own over Kevin Owens and Rey Mysterio.
That set the stage for a No. 1 contender's match between Knight and Styles, who had built up quite a rivalry leading up to WrestleMania.
When Styles landed on the shelf several months ago due to injuries suffered during an attack by The Bloodline, Knight stepped up and took his place by teaming with John Cena against Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa.
Knight went on to challenge Reigns for the WWE Universal Championship at Crown Jewel last year, marking the first major title match of his WWE career.
Although Knight fell short, it was a star-making moment and rivalry for him, and it proved that he had what it took to be a main eventer.
Once Styles returned from injury, he instantly targeted not only The Bloodline, but also Knight since he was apparently unhappy with The Megastar taking his spot.
In the ultimate act of disrespect, Styles cost Knight a chance to win the Elimination Chamber and challenge Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania, which was the true impetus behind the Knight vs. Styles match at the Showcase of the Immortals.
While Knight got the better of him on that occasion, The Phenomenal One was victorious Friday, and he will get a chance to become a three-time WWE champion if he can beat Rhodes at Backlash.
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