Is Cody Rhodes Avoiding WWE SmackDown? Exploring The Reasons

James

2 min read

Post on May 24, 2025

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Is Cody Rhodes Avoiding WWE SmackDown? Exploring the Reasons

The American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes, has been a focal point of WWE since his triumphant return at WrestleMania 38. His subsequent journey, however, has primarily kept him confined to Monday Night Raw. This begs the question: is Cody Rhodes deliberately avoiding WWE SmackDown, and if so, why? Let's delve into the potential reasons behind this intriguing absence.

The Raw Brand's Narrative Focus:

One of the most compelling reasons for Cody's Raw-centric presence is the ongoing storyline with his father, Dusty Rhodes's legacy. Raw has consistently been the platform for exploring this emotional and deeply personal narrative arc. His matches against Seth Rollins, culminating in their epic trilogy, were undeniably Raw-exclusive, showcasing a powerful character development that would have been jarring to abruptly shift to SmackDown. This consistent branding reinforces his character's evolution and strengthens viewer engagement.

Strategic Brand Separation:

WWE often strategically divides its top stars across its two flagship shows, Raw and SmackDown, to maximize viewership and create a sense of anticipation and competition between the brands. Keeping Cody Rhodes primarily on Raw allows for a clearer separation of storylines and prevents potential crossover confusion that could dilute his character arc. This strategic positioning ensures he remains a central figure within the Raw narrative, maintaining his prominence and preventing him from being overshadowed by other stars on SmackDown.

The Potential for a Surprise Appearance:

While Cody's main appearances have been on Raw, completely ruling out his presence on SmackDown would be premature. WWE is known for its surprising appearances and storyline twists. A sudden appearance on SmackDown could significantly elevate the show's ratings and create a buzz among fans. This element of surprise remains a potent tool in WWE's arsenal, and keeping the possibility alive enhances viewer engagement.

Is it a Creative Decision or a Matter of Scheduling?

Beyond narrative considerations, the decision might simply be a matter of creative direction and scheduling logistics. WWE's creative team meticulously plans storylines and match-ups weeks, even months in advance. Rhodes's prominent role on Raw might simply reflect the current creative vision for his character's development. Moreover, scheduling conflicts, travel, and other logistical factors might also play a significant role in determining his appearances on either brand.

Looking Ahead: The Future for Cody Rhodes

Ultimately, only time will tell whether Cody Rhodes's absence from SmackDown is a deliberate choice, a strategic move by WWE, or a matter of scheduling. The ongoing storyline and his potential involvement in future major events will undoubtedly shed more light on his brand alignment. His future appearances, whether on Raw or SmackDown, will continue to be a significant factor driving WWE viewership and engaging fans worldwide.

Keywords: Cody Rhodes, WWE, SmackDown, Raw, WWE storylines, wrestling, professional wrestling, American Nightmare, Dusty Rhodes, Seth Rollins, WWE brand separation, WWE creative, WWE scheduling.