With the announcement that Drew McIntyre would be taking time off of WWE for a major Hollywood role, Cody Rhodes needs a new feud.
While the rivalry between Rhodes & McIntyre has been put on pause at the minute – it seems poised to continue upon McIntyre’s return. Meaning – Cody Rhodes needs a new short-term feud ASAP.
Here are seven WWE replacements for Drew McIntyre.
7. Randy Orton
Potentially up next for Cody Rhodes after Seth Rollins could be the inevitable battle between Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes.
While their potential feud could definitely go on to be a slow moving saga in the vein of the Bloodline – there is an opportunity for Orton to be at first a friendly foe to Rhodes.
After making it clear that should Cody recapture the WWE Championship, he would be coming for him in pursuit of his 15th world title reign.
With the win marking important historical significance beyond just the long relationship between Orton & Rhodes, it also breaks Orton’s current tie with Triple H at 14 title reigns for the third most in WWE history.
Click the next page button below for more
6. Seth Rollins
The literal replacement for Drew McIntyre in his on-going feud with Cody Rhodes is already set to be Seth Rollins.
Since the next big event on the WWE schedule is set to be Crown Jewel Perth taking place on Saturday, October 11, 2025 in Australia – Cody Rhodes already has a set foe in the World Heavyweight Champion.
With Rollins able to step in to have some emotionally compelling exchanges with Cody, there is a nice placeholder feud for Rhodes ahead of a potential return to his rivalry with Drew McIntyre.
Drawing upon the history between the two characters, Rollins is an important feud for Rhodes as he returns after his own time away.
Click the next page button below for more
5. Brock Lesnar
Since Brock Lesnar popped around to destroy John Cena, it seems likely that the pair will end up having a blow up where Cena conquers the Beast.
However in the meantime, if Lesnar is on the hunt for another opponent he could theoretically pick back up with Cody Rhodes.
While their previous trio of bouts back in 2023 featured Lesnar getting the best of Rhodes twice, Cody was able to get a win at SummerSlam 2023.
After a display of respect between the two seemingly ended their feud – the unpredictable Lesnar could have other ideas in 2025.
Click the next page button below for more
4. Bron Breakker
Since joining forces with Bronson Reed under the tutelage of Seth Rollins, Bron Breakker’s character has taken on a brand new attitude.
A bit more vicious in the ring, Breakker is also notable more aggressive on the microphone as well resurrecting a vintage WWE trope of bullying the audience.
Poised to take offense of Cody Rhodes’ nice guy persona, Breakker could be an intriguing heel feud for Cody while Drew McIntyre is pursuing his Hollywood goals.
Able to stay relatively strong in defeat – particularly if some sort of interference saved Rhodes – the interaction now could be brief and teasing a longer feud in the future.
Click the next page button below for more
3. Carmelo Hayes
There have already been run-ins between Carmelo Hayes and Cody Rhodes in the past – something that could definitely come back around.
Poised to be able to tell a very interesting story together, a short-term feud between a disgruntled Carmelo Hayes and Cody Rhodes could end up iconic.
Potentially taking aim at Cody for monopolizing the spotlight – or some other heelish motivation – Hayes could blame Rhodes for why he went from first round draft pick to sometimes comedy tag partner of The Miz.
With the potential that current heel and TNA Wrestling Champion Trick Williams might reunite with Hayes on the main roster – after their recent NXT Homecoming reunion was well received by fans – perhaps Melo won’t be solo.
Click the next page button below for more
2. Roman Reigns
One potential interim feud for Cody Rhodes could be a return to the showdown between he and Roman Reigns.
Reigns has yet to face Rhodes as a challenger – a dynamic that would be starkly different to their last meeting at WrestleMania 40.
While this one is less likely than the others in that Reigns is out of WWE action filming scenes for his role in the live action version of the classic arcade game, Street Fighter.
After suffering an attack at the hands of Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed, Reigns was stretchered away from ringside with his subsequent time out of action.
Click the next page button below for more
1. Oba Femi
Long reigning NXT Champion Oba Femi could be poised to make his way to the main roster in the near future.
Putting his title on the line against Ricky Saints at NXT No Mercy on September 27, Femi could potentially be facing a new future on SmackDown.
An intriguing feud for Rhodes, it would be a big leap to immediately grab the WWE Championship but it would be character defining for Femi to try.
Potentially looking to be a secret agent of another Rhodes foe (like McIntyre or The Vision), Oba Femi could end up being primarily concerned with punishing Cody versus getting a title shot.
To make sure you stay up to date with all the biggest wrestling and WrestleTalk news, follow us on Threads by clicking this link!
Comments.
Loading comments…