Cody Rhodes Explains Why He Just Accepted His WrestleMania 39 Loss On WWE TV

Cody Rhodes looked poised to 'finish the story' at WrestleMania 39 and defeat Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship in the main event of the Show of Shows on Sunday, April 2, but it wasn't to be for Cody. As the former AEW star went for one final Cross Rhodes, Solo Sikoa - who had been banned from ringside - suddenly decked Cody with a Samoan Spike and Roman Reigns followed up with a Spear to end WrestleMania standing tall. 

Despite interference from The Bloodline once again helping Reigns retain the Undisputed WWE Universal Title, Cody Rhodes neglected to talk about the interference, instead simply saying on WWE TV that the better man in Roman Reigns won at WrestleMania. 

Some have argued that Cody shouldn't have won at WrestleMania 39 and WWE's booking was the correct call, alleging that Rhodes hasn't gone through enough adversity to score the big babyface win on the grandest stage. 

Rhodes addressed Paul Heyman's comments about adversity while speaking to ComicBook Nation and Cody also revealed why he hasn't objected to Reigns' tainted win on WWE TV. 

"I almost think Mr Heyman, I don't know if it's poking the bear, or if he likes living on the wild side, because he's one of the smartest, most important, influential figures in the history of the sport, but he's fully aware that I'm an incredibly reactionary person. I react differently. Five or seven years ago, if you sent me a tweet about how I couldn't do something, I might react immediately and then try and go out and do it. That happened quite a bit. Today, it's a little more cerebral in how I react to certain things. Reacting to losing at WrestleMania, here we are, the most profitable WrestleMania of all time, the most important show ever involved, this collective thing that fans love, and to be able to main event. So many people looked at it and tried to sell me that that was a win in itself and it's not how I feel. A win is a win and a loss is a loss," Rhodes said.

"I haven't gone on TV talking about the nature of how I lost because I think it's whining and I think everybody saw it. We saw it, we lived it, we breathed it. I think Mr Heyman lives on the wild side in a sense when you hear things like 'earn it,' 'hasn't had enough adversity.' I can't wait until my documentary comes out. It's very ironic in terms of juxtaposing the documentary and the amount of adversity in it, some people may not know about, particularly getting back to WWE, and Mr Heyman's comments," he continued.

"The goal is the same, is the best way to put it. The goal is the same for me as a sports entertainer, as a wrestler, I came here wanting one thing. It doesn't mean other stories won't happen that will also be finished and it doesn't mean there aren't other milestones, we're talking about good things like video game covers, but the important thing to me is still the championship on Roman's shoulders and it's the biggest match that WWE could do, but it would take a great deal of mountains to be moved for that rematch to even happen. The goal is the same for me, I just have to see it through and do the work."

A rematch with Roman Reigns looks increasingly unlikely for Cody as they were selected by separate brands during the latest WWE Draft. Rhodes is now exclusive to Monday Night Raw, while Reigns is exclusive to SmackDown. 

Rhodes may well have to win what has been described as the 'consolation prize' in the new WWE World Heavyweight Championship instead of Roman's titles. Before he can turn his attention to gold, though, Cody will face Brock Lesnar at Backlash on May 6. 

H/T to Fightful