Recent developments have fueled anticipation regarding Cody Rhodes' possible return to WWE programming. Following his loss of the Undisputed Championship at WrestleMania 41, where John Cena emerged victorious with assistance from Travis Scott, Rhodes concluded a remarkable one-year reign as champion. His journey began when he triumphed over Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40. Now, attention turns to Cena's upcoming title defense against Randy Orton, a seasoned rival and mentor to Rhodes, set for Backlash on May 10 in St. Louis.

A potential comeback seems imminent as WWE.com promotes Rhodes for an appearance on the May 16 edition of SmackDown, scheduled at Greensboro Coliseum in North Carolina. This event features notable talents such as Orton, Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton, Bianca Belair, LA Knight, and Solo Sikoa. Despite previous unfulfilled advertisements for Rhodes’ post-WrestleMania SmackDown participation on April 25, his inclusion suggests significant plans ahead. With major events like Saturday Night’s Main Event on May 24 in Tampa and Money in the Bank on June 7 in Los Angeles approaching, bringing Rhodes back aligns well with WWE's strategic calendar.

The excitement surrounding professional wrestling continues to grow, especially with Rhodes featured prominently on the official SummerSlam 2025 poster. As fans eagerly await further updates, it highlights how returning champions can invigorate competition and elevate fan engagement. By reintroducing past champions into their lineup during crucial periods, WWE demonstrates its commitment to maintaining high levels of interest and showcasing diverse talent across various platforms.