5 Best Feuds For Cody Rhodes Leading Up to WWE SummerSlam 2023

In the biggest moment of his career, Cody Rhodes looked poised to dethrone undisputed WWE universal champion Roman Reigns. However, after multiple wrestlers interfered, Solo Sikoa stole his moment away from him.

The American Nightmare must now regroup. His road to redemption has only just begun, and he must show he can win when the lights are brightest.

That journey will take gradual steps to big moments where Rhodes can continue to deliver night after night.

In his first year in WWE, the 37-year-old has not faced many on WWE's stacked roster, and that opens up the possibility for fresh feuds for him all the way to SummerSlam and beyond.

From Brock Lesnar to Bobby Lashley, the following are the five best options for The American Nightmare to feud with in the coming months.

Brock Lesnar

Brock Lesnar has made his statement as the next challenger to Rhodes, and it is a perfect pairing. He needs a big opponent after his disappointing loss to Roman Reigns.

After a furious start on Monday's Raw after WrestleMania, The Beast Incarnate has a grudge against The American Nightmare that has yet to be revealed.

Rhodes has an instant reason to focus on the big man instead of the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.

This is going to be the biggest story WWE tells following The Show of Shows. The All Elite Wrestling co-founder has to find a way to take down a motivated Lesnar, a monster with a world championship pedigree.

It is a great story that can allow Rhodes to prove himself. He can get back on track, though WWE will need to keep putting obstacles in his way before he can get another shot at Reigns.

Solo Sikoa

Solo Sikoa joined The Bloodline at Clash at the Castle in September and has been the group's silent enforcer since then. But no one had pushed him as a character until Rhodes.

The American Nightmare pushed The One Problem to reconsider his role in WWE, relating to him as a second-generation talent stuck working under someone who does not value him.

Rhodes is the first man to pin Sikoa in WWE, but he is more than that. He could be the first man to get through to him at the same level as Sami Zayn has with Jey Uso.

Before Roman Reigns can fall, The Bloodline must break, piece by piece.

A focused feud with Sikoa would help elevate the younger Uso brother to the next level and tell the story that will set up Rhodes to dethrone The Tribal Chief.

Bronson Reed

If WWE can wait for the Reigns rematch, Rhodes can help elevate more talent by working with them at a high level. Bronson Reed is a talented big man who needs a big feud.

While the Australian has teased competing with Bobby Lashley, there is time to move from The All Mighty to The American Nightmare.

While Reed won't win these feuds, he will be elevated by association. He can show off his surprising speed along with his size and imposing power.

He can be a roadblock for Rhodes, a big man who will push him to his limit while delivering a fresh matchup for a future pay-per-view.

Finn Bálor

If any wrestlers can keep Rhodes occupied in the coming months, it would be The Judgment Day. This group remains a persistent nuisance on Raw.

While Dominik Mysterio continues to grow into the role of breakout star of the group, Finn Bálor is still the most talented man in the faction.

The Prince and The American Nightmare fought on The Road to WrestleMania in a good preview of what they can do together with time and a good story.

It would be easy to establish as The Judgment Day rarely need an excuse to target someone, especially if Rhodes aligns himself with Rey Mysterio. The Master of the 619 needs all the help he can get against his son, Dominik, and Bálor can take that personally.

It will be an action-packed battle that could easily got 15 minutes or more. Even though the Irishman will lose, he could at least use this chance to show off his talent as a top star in a way he hasn't for years.

Bobby Lashley

Since Rhodes has already fought Roman Reigns and Seth "Freakin" Rollins, there is no bigger match left for him on Raw than Bobby Lashley.

The All Mighty missed out on WrestleMania 39 due to the poorly timed absence of his proposed rival, Bray Wyatt. WWE will want to make it up to him by elevating him all the more.

By the time Rhodes and Lashley are ready to fight, it will be the biggest non-title match the company can put together. It could even be one of the co-main events of SummerSlam.

Both want a shot at Roman Reigns, and both are deserving of it. A battle between them could be a respectful No. 1 Contender's match, or it could be a personal struggle after Lashley turns heel with The Hurt Business backing him again.

The match itself will test The American Nightmare in a similar way to his fight with Reigns.

Lashley is a powerhouse who will push him into the underdog role, and Rhodes beating The All Mighty would solidify him as a man ready for a rematch with The Tribal Chief.