We are live from the Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois, as Cody Rhodes makes is way to the ring to start the show.
Cody asks Chicago what do they want to talk about. He says we could talk about the WWE Draft that is mere days away, shaking up both rosters. Cody says he could go to Smackdown or he could stay on Raw. We could talk about the unenviable task in slaying Brock Lesnar at Backlash. The same Brock Lesnar who is the most decorated combat sports athlete of all time. It is so ironic that Brock would wait until his back was turned to attack him.
We take a look at photos from Raw when Brock turned on Cody.
Cody says it was one of the most humiliating beat downs he has faced. Cody says he wants to show something else. Cody takes off his jacket and his shirt and he tosses his tie and shirt into the crowd. Cody wants everyone to see the scar on his pectoral and he points out that this is the first time back in this arena since Hell in a Cell. Cody says the match had a heroic spin and he has not watched the match again. Cody tells Brock to pick a spot and put another scar on him. Cody says that scar is the same one he was able to beat inside Hell in a Cell.
He says the reason he does not give it a heroic moment. He says he didn’t do anything that night. He had a sold out arena prop him up on their shoulders and carry him to the finish line. Cody says he was in the most pain in his life. He says if he does not get the chance to say it, he wanted to tell the people of Chicago, from the bottom of his heart, thank you very much.
Finn Balor’s music plays and he interrupts. He says he hates to break up the party. We all have scars. That isn’t why he is here. Finn says he saw what happened to Cody at Wrestlemania. You had Roman beat and you got screwed. Finn says he knows how Cody feels. The question is why did you get screwed. You didn’t have anyone to have your back. That is why you accepted Brock’s offer to be your tag team partner. You trusted the wrong man. You need to be smarter, like him. Finn says you are facing the Beast all beaten and bruised. This is a match you can’t win. Not on your own.
Cody stops Finn and he says he was under the impression that there was respect. He says Brock is the only thing on his mind. He respectfully tells Finn whatever he is selling, Cody is not buying.
Finn says if Cody respects him, Cody will listen to what he has to say. Everyone knows that Cody Rhodes in The Judgment Day would be unstoppable. Rhea Ripley, Smackdown Women’s Champion. Damian Priest put the biggest star in the music industry through that table. Dominik Mysterio, he has already proven that he is far greater than his legendary father. Finn suggests that Cody should try that. You made a mistake at Wrestlemania. Don’t make the same mistake at Backlash. Let us have your back.
Cody says it was hard to hear Finn over the crowd. He wants to clarify Finn’s offer to be part of The Judgment Day. Cody says he is not looking for another fight. Cody says respectfully, he is not going to join The Judgment Day so he is going to decline.
Finn says that is a real pity and a real shame. You are either with The Judgment Day or you are against The Judgment Day. He tells Cody to watch his back because Finn says he is going to slap the bleach off his head.
Cody says he is smiling because Finn thinks that he is under the impression that Cody is not medically cleared to compete because of Brock’s attack. Cody says he was medically cleared to compete tonight. Cody says he can’t think of a better message to send to Brock than you and me tonight.
Backstage:
Cathy waits to talk to Damian Priest but he is with Finn and Dom. Finn asks Dom and Damian if he is invisible. Priest tells Finn to get ready.
Cathy asks Priest how he feels that Bad Bunny is here. Priest says it is great that Bad Bunny is here to promote hosting Backlash. He is a top recording artist and he had some success in WWE when he had Priest behind his back. Priest says he does not go to Coachella to try to get in his business. Dom says Bad Bunny can watch Damian take care of his deadbeat dad.
We go to commercial.
Finn Balor vs. Cody Rhodes
They lock up and Finn with a wrist lock. Cody with a reversal and he goes for the leg and backs Finn into the corner. Cody with a clean break. They try for a Greco Roman Knuckle Lock and Finn with a kick and side head lock. Finn with a hip toss and Cody kicks Finn and applies a side head lock and take down. Finn goes for a head scissors but Cody pushes Finn’s legs away. Finn with a rollup for a near fall. Cody catches Finn on a leap frog and hits a dropping gut buster on the shoulders. Cody with jabs and Finn goes to the apron. Cody goes for a suplex to bring Finn back into the ring and Cody turns it into a delayed gourdbuster and Cody gets a near fall. Cody with a waist lock.
Finn with a wrist lock into a side head lock but Cody with a side head lock of his own. Cody misses a cross body and bounces off the ropes and goes to the floor. Finn goes to the floor and pushes Cody into the announce table.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Cody with punches to Finn. Finn with a kick and Cody with a running forearm followed by a kick and drop down uppercut. Cody floats over and hits a power slam. Cody sets for Beautiful Disaster and hits it for a near fall. Cody sets for CrossRhodes but Finn counters but Cody with a kick. Finn catches Cody on a Cody Cutter attempt and Finn with an elevated elbow drop for a near fall. Finn with boots to the ribs. Finn with slingblade and he sets for a running drop kick but Cody with a super kick and a Cody Cutter. Finn kicks out at two. Cody sets for a power bomb but Finn gets ot his feet and he hits a double leg take down followed by a double stomp.
Finn with a running drop kick into the corner and then Finn goes up top for a Coup de Grace but Cody moves and Finn appears to have injured his knee. Finn with an inside cradle to counter CrossRhodes but Cody gets a near fall. Cody with a Pedigree and he hits CrossRhodes for the three count.
Winner: Cody Rhodes
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