Cody Rhodes' DILEMMA + CM Punk's Injury a Blessing in Disguise? | Busted Open 

Wow when Bully is talking and i close my eyes i would swear its actually Paul Hayman 😂😂

Choosing Roman makes more sense for a baby face Cody, in kayfabe. Cody has already beaten Seth, so a babyface would challenge the guy who he hasn’t beat yet, and lost to last year at Mania. Seth’s argument can also be used against him, as Cody would want to take the championship away from a “cheater that doesn’t travel the roads and defend the title”, etc. All signs point to Roman being the choice for Cody.

Seth's title is not the one Dusty was chasing. It was created 6 months ago. It isn't even referred to as the same title. Good lord.

Cody beating Roman means so much more than the title. Beating Roman streak is just as impressive

Tommy said it and got the point of this segment perfectly. Bully's wrong.

The problem with Bully's argument is that he is completely negating the bigger picture. In order to truly be the man, he has to take the company's championship from the face of WWE, which isn't Seth. Roman is the face and the company's champion. Also, if the company wants to move forward and from Vince McMahon, then they have to dethrone Roman via Cody. The fact is, Roman represents the old regime with Vince McMahon attached to him and that title. I respect what he said and everything Seth has accomplished, but he isn't the WWE champion. The other reality that has not been said is that Cody's run has surpassed Seth's and without a championship. So yes, Seth needs the match and win more so than Cody needs him.

We want Cody and Roman... Bully .... What are you talking about???

I think Bully, to your point, from a narrative standpoint Cody-Roman is personal, its not just the loss. It became very very personal when Roman told Cody he did not exist in his father's eyes. He told him he runs away whenever the going gets tough. Roman is the son Dusty wanted, that's the narrative. The beauty in the product is that even a Seth-Cody matchup is compelling. Hell a week ago, we were hyped for a Punk-Cody main event. This company is hitting on all cylinders and as a fan its great.

I thought the same thing about Punk's injury being a blessing in disguise. Because the fact was he was not ready in-ring shape wise. Didn't work enough going into the Rumble, got blown up during the rumble. And injuries often occur when you push yourself too hard when you're fatigued. Seeing what happened made me wonder if Punk would have even been capable of going 25-30 minutes at Mania with Rollins. The injury may allow him to rehab, get in great in-ring shape and be good to go when he returns.

There is no one who wants to see Cody vs Seth at Mania. There is no “Dilemma.” That title that Rollins has doesn’t even sniff the same value that Roman’s has. Cody is 3-0 against him, where is the intrigue in terms of who will win? Bully tries way too hard to justify and hype up shit storyline possibilities.

Hey guys. Have always loved the podcast. I’m 53 and enjoy people and wrestlers and have done this like Tommy, bully and Mark. Y’all’s input is so much more important than podcast “journalists” that “think” they know better. Look forward to this every time y’all put one out.

I want Cody to turn the WWE championship to the work horse title as it should be. Have the premier title on the premier guy in the premier company.

Bully, the story is Cody gaining that WWE Championship, not the new world heavyweight championship. Dusty held that WWE Championship up high at Madison Square Garden in 1977! But it was taken away from him. Cody wants to win that for his father, and once he does that, he would have finally finished the story!

Seth has the title Dusty already held. Roman is holding the title that was taken from Dusty. Cody has said this before. Y’all covered it. It’s not about the title that dusty had. It’s about the title that was taken from him, that eluded Dustin, and Cody is the last chance to bring that title to the Rhodes family. No one wants to fuckin see Seth vs Cody again

When Punk returns, I hope we get The Summer of Punk and Road to WrestleMania that Punk deserved back in 2011/12. Fingers crossed he's able to stay injury-free.

What about Damien priest and that brief case. So now that case is useless or why have money in bank? What are your thoughts?

Huge problem with bully’s take is Seth gives out championship opportunities like candy. Why would Cody waste his Rumble win on Seth. When you could challenge Seth for the title at EC? 😂😂😂

Solo Sikoa will turn on Roman in the End and Spike him to lose the title against Cody Rhodes I think that’s what him interfering so often will lead too since it’s a story than it’ll be a Solo vs Roman rivalry

Bully what are you talking about seth and cody

You could sell the Brooklyn bridge to bubba with Seth’s promo.

I have an odd feeling that we are gonna get Roman vs Cody at night 2 of WM40 and Seth vs Sami vs Drew in a triple threat match on night one to maintain the triple threat tradition of a Triple Threat main eventing or being a main event on an anniversary WrestleMania like 20, 25, 30, and 35 all had Triple threat title matches that were main events of the card. But, Gunther vs Rollins would be 100% acceptable as well.

The promo I need this Friday on Smackdown: Cody says he heard Seth out. Compared the 2 situations. Acknowledges that defeating not only Roman but the Bloodline is an impossible feat to climb and being a workhorse WHC is appealing. Right before he accepts to Seth’s proposal RANDY ORTON’S music hits. And he gives him his Mickey speech. Even tho Randy lost to Roman and wants another shot at him. He admits Cody needs to finish the story cuz if he doesn’t he’s going to regret it for the rest of his life. And HE CAN DO IT!!!! He gives Cody his confidence and his mission back. He challenges Roman and will finish the damn story!!!!

Funny how u guys are not talking about vince at all?? Hmmm 🤔 interesting!

Bully Ray obviously forgot about "Roman Reigns was the son he always wanted" Cody's story with Roman is more than just about the Mania match last year

Is busted open going to talk about mcmahon or have they already and i missed it?

Greatest 30 wrestlers of all time 1. Hulk Hogan (put wwe on map. Draw as a baby face and heal. Greatest faction NWO change wrestling land scape moving into the more realty attitude era) 2. Stone Cold (hottest wrestler peak it all time) 3. John cena (carry wwe for a long period of time over a decade) 4. The Rock (most popular wrestle alive , people champ, Best at controlling the crowd) 5. Bruno Samantino( longest wwe championship reign, sold of Madison square garden multiple times) 6. Ric Flair (greatest world champion of champion period of all time, work horse and long career) 7. The Undertaker (greatest character/wrestlemania streak, larger than life figure, leader that is respected by everyone) 8. Shawn Micheal (greatest wrestler in the ring of all time, the show stopper) 9. Bret Hart (greatest technical wrestle at his time) 10. Roman Reigns (biggest wrestle in wwe right now, breaking records) 11. Brock Lesnar(most dominant wrestle ever, best rookie year, beat all the greats) 12. Randy Savage (most unique charisma) 13. Triple H (greatest heal, great worker and promo and seller) 14. Eddie Guerrero (best worker, one of the most beloved wrestler of all time, good at playing heal and baby face) 15. Kurt Angle (greatest technical wrestle at his time, technical machine and the first and only true gold medal Olympic real wrestler) 16. Randy Ortan (full package, can make anything look easy with one of the greatest iconic finisher) 17. Ultimate warrior (greatest energy one of the best entrance to the ring) 18. Sting (the icon, mystique) 19. Andre The Giant (larger than life figure, one of the biggest wrestler of all time, well respected, the attraction) 20. CM Punk (most authentic and prolific wrestler great on her mic, make everything feels real) 21. Goldberg (greatest streak, and most dominant wrestler in wcw) 22. Batista (best physique, the animal) 23. Chris Jericho (best reinvention wrestler) 24. Edge (most championship) 25. Mick Foley (greatest hardcore wrestler biggest risk taker, multiple in ready characters /faces of foley 26. Dusty Rhodes (best mic talker, the definition of American dream not built like a wrestler but become one of the Greg all time) 27. Rey Masterio (greatest mask wrestler of all time, greatest little man, break barriers) 28. AJ styles (become a champion all over the world every where he go and one of the best wrestlers in the world right igh now and of his time) 29. Daniel Bryan (wrestler with the biggest movement the yes movement, one of the best wrestler of his time, fan favorite) 30. Haley Race (one of the most important wrestler of all time)

Bully's example where he stated that Seth should have said, "I need to beat you" was absolutely FIRE! It gave me flashbacks to when Stone and the Rock were feuding going into WM and the Rock was champion, Stone Cold said that exact same thing. That would have given me goosebumps in Seth said it. I want Cody v Seth at WM so Reigns can beat Hogan's record. Can't bring him this far just to not take advantage.

Talk about Vince McMahon and Johnny L already!!!!

I think Cody has mentioned more than once how the loss affected him. They had the stare down a few months ago which felt epic. I believe the best possible way to build up the challenger for a return bout is to not let him and the champion touch or meet. Just little glances here and there until eventually they go at it.

Cody and Roman comes to face this Friday. So excited for Smackdown.

I hope they put Punk on one of the announce teams for his time off from injury. He is excellent on the mic and was great the last time they had him at the announce table in his previous run with WWE.

WWE hears Busted Open 100%. The following Monday, Seth said EVERYTHING that Bubbah suggested and Drew wore a shirt to remind people what he did to Punk.

Seth's comment about the Universal championship being like a Hogan title or a title that you politic your way to get kinda came across as him burying Roman and the title. And his speech convincing Cody to challenge him instead made him appear desperate and self aware of his standing being below Roman, and it just didn't give me the vibe of a champion. Come on guys, the champion needing to prove himself by beating a non-champion? It's as if he saw Cody as a human belt, and subconsciously acknowledged that both Cody and Roman are bigger stars than he is. Oh boy does that shiny world title never looked more like a prop than it did on Monday lol.

The only problem with bubbas take, the Rhodes name is already on the world title lineage.. the "end of the story" is putting the Rhodes name on the WWE championship

I could care less to see Seth vs Cody at mania.

I will say this, Seth's promo made me ponder. This was great storytelling and polar opposite of what roman has done.

The psychology of a world champion (Seth) begging the RR winner (Cody) for a WM match is bloody bizarre. It pretty much reaffirms that Seth is the secondary champion. And Bully is kinda right about Cody v Roman. There's no fat on the bone. This road to WM will just be a rehash of WM39. If Punk never got injured, I would have had him win the EC and set up a 3 way with Roman and Cody. The dynamics of this feud would have been infinitely better.

Roman isn't his end goal. His story is being champ. That's it. It doesn't matter. If Orton wins it in 3 weeks out of the blue, then his story is randy. Or Cena. Or anyone

Dang. I agree with Bully. ❤️👍🏼

First off, this is one of the best pro wrestling podcasts around. Second, Thank you Bully for calling out these cowards that are happy Punk got hurt. They just can’t get over their hate for a guy who refuses to be a fake. Punk is one of the real ones, it’s a shame people can’t see that. Also I agree with Bully’s take on Drew. The physicality ruined the moment. That could’ve been a great promo exchange. They just watered down Drew to look like a boring heel.

Seths title doesnt mean anything! Roman has the title that matters

I will say - Drew's angle with CM Punk has not only elevated his character, but it's gotten the vocal keyboard warriors that hate CM Punk to become invested in Drew. He's won over some people, and it's incredible for Drew right now.

Seems to me like they’re delaying Cody’s decision to see if Roman/Rock is going to happen.

It’s a blessing in disguise for Drew McIntyre. Pretty much any chances of him winning a Title at mania in front of fans has now been put on the table.

WTF is Bully talking about? Seth is holding a world title which was created 7 months ago and my mind it's like a super intercontinental championship.Yes Seth has done great work with the title but does it even come close to what Roman has done with the championship and the while bloodline story and also the history the WWE Championship has? No. If Cody is the next face of the company does he become the the guy by beating Roman or Seth? It's clearly Roman and this promo by Seth we just to make time till Elimination Chamber to choose Seth's challenger 😊

The whole point of winning the Rumble was it's the only way Cody could get to Roman, given they're on separate brands. I thought they'd trade Cody when Jey Uso came over, when that didn't happen it almost guaranteed this result. Plus the WWE title is the one that Cody wanted, and that's merged with the Universal title now. I'd love for Cody to win it and then just declare it the WWE title again, with a modern Winged Eagle look, and while I know the old Winged Eagle said "WWF World Heavyweight Champion" the new one can omit the words that would make it similar to Seth's title (like the 1998-2002 version did). Of course I still think there should be one World champ, and the IC/US titles are the top brand titles...you could make a case for women's IC/US titles with a single WWE World Women's champ too.

I feel like they do the stomp because it gives you leeway storywise if rehab runs long, AND an automatic reason for the feud when he returns.

Bully is right. Say Cody goes to challenge Seth...WWE is focused on rewriting the history books, there has NEVER been a 3x rumble winner. Cody winning the rumble again and beating Roman at 41 when he would tie Hogan's title defense at mania record in a reign and stop him from breaking it, that's a bigger story. Like Bully Ray said, there's more story with Seth right now. The Roman vs Cody thing feels forced right now. Oooh they had the staredown at smackdown...the build to the rematch has been cheeks.

Id rather have rock vs roman AND CR v SR

Yeah the promo from Punk was incredible and style he said about he's friend and the Drew coming out and saying what he said was insane and it was funny when he said he slept like a baby😂

Cody beat Seth 3 times, Cody never beat this version of Roman. Cody LOST last Mania and never got another crack at him. “Finish the story” ? The story isn’t finished if he goes after Seth, why have no pay off to a story that’s been told ever since he came back ? There is no dilemma Cody goes after Roman and that’s the end of discussion why are so many people having a debate about this 😭😭

Nah it makes much more sense for him to go after Roman. Then he can turn the belt that his father wanted into the work horse belt while making his father proud. Plus roman is the big dog with the streak it would be a bigger accomplishment. Plus since when does the champ beg the wimner for a match? Thats kinda crazy

Bully is just trying to be different. Seth's promo was great, but there is more story with Cody and Roman. They've been telling it all year

Professional wrestling is not about wins and loses, its about the stories.

Cody needs to go after roman all cody has to do is agree with everything seth said and tell seth he needs to take the title from roman so fans see the belt every week and ask seth to help him keep the bloodline out of the way

Gunther needs to be put in that open top spot immediately

Never thought I’d hear Bubba say ‘there’s too much physicality’ in my lifetime 😂

If we're getting specific here, Roman didn't win clean, The Bloodline robbed Cody of his victory. Not only is that title historically linked to Dusty's attempts, it makes a lot more sense for Cody to want revenge based on the matches finish alone. The book was never closed at Mania and The Bloodline (a key piece for Roman) has now been fractured with time and hubris.

I agree with Bully. Roman and Cody need more to the story to make it worth the emotion for me. They need to end the story with two at Madison Square Garden.

I really hope that Seth and Cody listen to this clip or entire podcast.

Billy Ray take is on point. Seth should’ve said all of that. “I have defended and beat every superstar in the Wwe….. Except you…

You know Seth and WWE did a great job selling Seth vs Cody when theres a discussion like this happening. But like last years Mania the simple answer is the best answer: Cody beating Roman. Anything else is just for build up so we can watch Raw and Smackdown each week until we get there. Which its WWE's job to keep us watching and guessing

Punk doing the Cinderella Man story might be a great way to push into Wrestlemania 41. For those unfamiliar, it's a real life boxing story, but I'm most interested in the dramatized retelling by Ron Howard starring Russell Crowe as Great Depression era boxer James J Braddock. He was an older boxer who was one of the best, but fell into a slump after suffering multiple injuries. Because of the losses and desperate times, he had to back out of the industry for a while, working the docks instead to make some money. However, during his time on the docks, he strengthened his arm from its injury, and came back. He mixed it up at the bottom (where he was) and won quickly, then worked his way up through the card, eventually landing a championship bout with the younger, faster, larger Max Baer, who had two opponents die as a result of injuries sustained in the matches against him. People were worried Braddock was going to be the third death, and after a hard fought battle, won the championship.

All three of these guys were born in 1971, Tommy Dreamer was born first, then Bully Ray, and last, but not least, Dave LaGreca (yet Dave looks like the oldest).

Drew is the villian with the sympathetic back story. Elite story telling here.

That line was cold from Drew ngl

At the press conference on Thursday, The Rock should come out and say, the reason Cody said he wasn't coming for you at WM... is cause on Night 1its going to be Rhodes VS Rollins for the World Title & Roman VS Rock for the WWE title all on Night 1... and the winners will main event Night 2, winner takes all... in other words Cody said he's not going to face Reigns at WM cause he expects Rock to win...this solves everything from every angle and adds a 3rd Main Event match... book it! The show on Sunday night should end with Cody finishing the story! If that was ever the original intention... unless they always planned on having Roman beat Hogan's record which comes due in September?

It's clear as day that Cody will face and beat Reigns at WM. Seth doing his segment to make Cody second guess his choice is just to not make it too obvious that Cody will choose Reigns. It's to keep fans guessing and have people talking. Cody will 1000% beat Reigns at WM.

Drew doing that to punk was like Seth doing it to cody after the injury

There has definitely been the build toward Cody/Roman II. When Cody/Jey won the tag titles, and allowed Cody to be on Smackdown, we had the face-to-face with Roman, and then Roman had Jimmy show up on the very next Raw, to cost Cody/Jey the tag titles, to keep Cody away from Roman. Cody now has his chance to get back to Roman. After everything Roman has done to keep him away. Heyman's post-Mania promo promised to never give Cody his rematch. He now has the chance to get that rematch.

The only thing we've had since Cody loss to Roman was when Cody and Jey were on Smackdown defending their Tag Team Championships, and then they had the stare down between the two.

The problem, even more so than the fact that Cody beat him 3 times and with a torn pec, is that Seth is hurt, and the entire WWE universe is aware of it. So, beating Seth is a shortcut and a heel move. He has to fight the hated champion and turn both championships into worker championships.

If they are really going with Cody vs Seth, Seth has to turn heel. Cody should be about to announce who he is picking with people thinking he is picking Roman and just before he can say who, Seth ambushes him forcing him to pick him.

The problem here is punks injury means he can't get Seth's title and if Seth is injured he can't realistically hold on to it,this leaves wwe in a position where cody represents the best option to carry the title in this scenario,this then leaves the quest to get Romans titles up in the air and finish the story,timing is everything in wrestling and it seems like bad timing is going to force plans to change

As far as Roman and Cody situation, WWE could do something similar to that hasnt been done since Wrestlemania 9 but with an extreme twist from WWE Payback 2020. Have Cody Rhodes not announce who his opponent is for WM at all. Have the winner of the Elimination Chamber for the WC, and have the Rock vs Roman match. Roman wins. Roman talk trash about his win over The Rock. Have Cody's music hit and he challenges Roman right then and there. Similar to how Hulk Hogan and Yokozuna title match happen at Wrestlemania IX. Last time i remember and read, the winner of the Royal Rumble match DOESN'T have to announce when or what moment he has to challenge for the championship at that year's Wrestlemania. Look at what happened at WWE Payback 2020 when Roman signed the contract (in the triple threat with Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman) in the middle of match.

They could fight before Wrestlemania.

They also should be doing something with Cody and Randy

How about Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins vs. Cody Rhodes in a triple-threat, elimination match, winner-take-all for a main event at Wrestlemania? In addition, CM Punk could be the special guest referee, if he was physically up to it.

Why would Cody put his “Finish the story” program to the side to face Rollins so Rock could face Roman? Let Gunther be double champ then and beat Rollins while Cody gets Roman again night 2.

I think I wanted Roman & Cody but, now it's feeling like I'm going the other way because, Bully's point of view it's very true it's gives credit to Seth's title an why more promising than a sitting title

saying a man getting hurt is a blessing is next level crazy

How is the belt that Rollins has the one Dusty aspired to, and Graham held? They just made up that title last year.

Great show guys 👏👏👏

Why did the video just cut out at the end while tommy was mid sentence lmao

Personally, I think it would be great for Cody to go up against Seth because then the storyline becomes that nobody thinks Roman reigns is relevant. That attacks Roman’s ego. Think about it; Damien Priest constantly chasing Seth, Cody going after Seth. Gunther going after Seth. Nobody chasing Roman! This helps further the storyline that Roman is irrelevant. The Bloodline starts to crack. Sikoa challenges Roman, and then the Rock steps in. Before you know it, it’s Rock versus Roman at Wrestlemania and Seth versus Cody. Night 1 Cody beats Seth, Night 2 Roman beats The Rock. Roman and Cody hold onto the belts until… Wrestlemania 41 where it’s Cody vs. Roman. Cody beats Roman, unifies the belts and Cody is the greatest WWE champion in the history of the company, baby!!

SOOOO glad it’s not the super predictable “finish the story” Cody VS Roman match.

Here’s the thing. That WHC has a lineage of 1 person. If it carried the Lineage from 2002 it would hold more weight. It would have had more value than the Universal Title that was created in 2016. It’s just a consolation Belt that was created last year because WWE Booked themselves into a corner with Roman.

They’re are going Apollo vs Rocky storyline. Seth will come out and say eventually I the Champion “need” to beat you. First time seeing this, I told my buddy after Smackdown Friday that will be the direction the WWE goes in with Seth. Wouldn’t be surprised if the fans turn on Cody like they did in AEW.

On the subject of move names, the Glasgow kiss is a bettter name for the kick and the claymore is a better name for the headbutt

people talking about work horse title this and that none of this matters when you have a choice between a 8 month champion and a 3.5 years champion who is undefeated in singles competition since late 2019 the choice is simple. One will grant you opening match of night 1 and other will give the main event of night 2 . Where will you finish the story. Against world champion or against undisputed wwe universal champion. Against a man who has never main evented or against someone who main evented 7 times.

Yes man! Bully is what i been saying so long to people, cody didnt go through anything last year ,his Feuds were so hollow and had no story to them he just kept winning.

Tis was bye far the best podcast yet.. on point fellas!! The Wrestling God's are for REAL!!

Just a thought, what about this... Cody beats Seth, he finishes his story... Now this creates Seths road to rebuilding himself to focus on beating his brother to finally dethrone Roman.

That story is coming this Friday Bully I promise but I do think there’s room for what Bully wants aswell down the road in a unification match or a smack down vs raw when Seth is 100% This Pod cast is dope you guys look at it as fans and as professionals that have been in the game at that level thanks dudes

100% needs to be Roman, I get that they are pushing Seth’s title because of Punks injury but it’s gotta be Cody v Roman it means so much more.

Even if Cody decides to face Seth and wins the world heavyweight Championship, the story still isn't over.. Finish the story with the WWE Championship and have Brandy in his corner. Continue the story by winning the championship your father had and finish the story by winning the championship your father never had.

Roman's belt don't mean a thing because it's barely seen on tv. If it was on Randy Orton or anyone full time, Cody challenging for it and winning would actually matter.

If anything, night 1 Cody vs. Roman for the World Heavyweight Championship! Night 2 Roman vs. The Rock for The Tribal Chief status! This leaving Roman completely broken and all alone after losing his belt night 1 and his Tribal Chief Status night 2. Co-main event Night 2 have Rollins vs. Priest cashing in his money in the bank contract on Raw before Wrestlemania showcasing 3 major events with 2 major championships changing hands and Tribal Chief is The Rock! This can happen since Roman had a fatal 4 way at Royal Rumble showcasing he can fight multiple events in one/two nights!

Bully is 1,000% correct. Seth NEEDS the win. And this is an uncommon opinion, but it's too soon for Cody to "finish his story" with Roman because, once he "finishes" his story, THEN WHAT?! No more story. Once he beats Roman, the crowd will DEFINITELY flip on Cody & give him the Cena treatment where they boo him out of the building! TRUST ME! His "What you wanna talk about?" will get old, boring & he won't draw a dime as champion within his first year! As much as folks "love" Cody now & his climb to the top, once he stand on top, they will flip. Watch!

Bully is wrong. The title Seth has is essentially the title Dusty already won. The title Roman has is the one he never did. The WWE title is what he never won. Which is why Cody wants THAT title.