Speaker A
[MUSIC] The son of a security systems technician is not currently a champion, but he's holding a title.
Watch the intense WWE Title Ladder Match between Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens at Royal Rumble 2025, featuring high stakes and brutal action.
Key Takeaways
- The ladder match format allows for extreme physicality and high-risk maneuvers.
- Kevin Owens uses the Winged Eagle Championship as a psychological tool against Cody Rhodes.
- Cody Rhodes is under immense pressure to defend his title and maintain his status.
- The personal animosity between Owens and Rhodes adds emotional depth to the match.
- The outcome will significantly impact the WWE landscape leading into WrestleMania.
Summary
- The match is a ladder match for the Undisputed WWE Championship at Royal Rumble 2025.
- Kevin Owens holds the symbolic Winged Eagle Championship, used to antagonize Cody Rhodes.
- Cody Rhodes is the reigning Undisputed WWE Champion, defending his title for the first time in 300 days.
- The rivalry is deeply personal, stemming from past betrayals and alliances.
- The match takes place in front of 70,000 fans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
- The referee, Dan Engler, wears a ref cam to provide unique close-up shots of the action.
- Both competitors are determined to punish each other, with high physical and emotional stakes.
- Kevin Owens is portrayed as a bitter and delusional challenger, while Cody Rhodes is focused and battle-hardened.
- The match features intense physicality, including ladder weapons and brutal maneuvers.
- This match sets the stage for the road to WrestleMania, with major implications for both wrestlers' careers.
Full Transcript — Download SRT & Markdown
Speaker A
That is the Winged Eagle Championship. It was used in the WWE beginning in 1988 by Hulk Hogan.
Speaker A
It was retired in 1998 by Stone Cold Steve Austin. At Saturday Night's Main Event back in December, after losing to Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens attacked Rhodes, hit him with a package piledriver, and took that title.
Speaker A
Triple H gave Kevin Owens that title. I should say gave Cody Rhodes the title that night to bring it out for one night only.
Speaker A
Kevin Owens is delusional. He thinks he's a champion, but he actually hasn't been a world champion in eight years.
Speaker A
Speaker 3: I gotta pull you up on that, Michael Cole. Deep down, despite the posturing of Kevin Owens, there is no delusion there.
Speaker A
He knows full well that the Winged Eagle Championship on his shoulder is never gonna be written off in the record box.
Speaker A
It's simply being used to antagonize the real champ, Cody Rhodes. Get under his skin, get in his head, pull Cody Rhodes down from his elevated level to the level of the belligerent prizefighter, Kevin Owens.
Speaker A
That is why Kevin Owens wants this fight to be full.
Speaker A
Speaker 1: The title might not mean anything in reality, but for Kevin Owens, it has brought a swagger, an attitude, and a moxie back.
Speaker A
[MUSIC] He thinks he's actually champion up there right now.
Speaker A
Speaker 2: I actually spoke to both Kevin Owens and Cody Rhodes today. They told me that they are determined on hurting and punishing each other in this match tonight.
Speaker A
Speaker 3: Cody's been clear he's gonna win this matchup even if it kills him in the process.
Speaker A
That is a dangerous mindset when you're in the ring with a pugnacious fighter like KO.
Speaker A
[MUSIC] Speaker 1: I love that we have a ladder match and Kevin Owens is in it here in front of 70,000 people in a football stadium.
Speaker A
Speaker 2: The official in this match tonight is Dan Engler. He is wearing the ref cam on his head.
Speaker A
We'll get some unique shots during this matchup tonight.
Speaker A
Speaker 3: Well, he looks ridiculous, but it's gonna be great viewing as we get close up to the action.
Speaker A
Speaker 1: Dan Engler, one of the finest refs in the history of reffing.
Speaker A
Speaker 3: [INAUDIBLE] Nonsense, absolute nonsense, McAfee.
Speaker A
Royal fan. [MUSIC] Speaker 1: He's first in, he's last out. He works his ass off.
Speaker A
He takes pride in what he does. This is a champion that the Midwest is certainly proud of.
Speaker A
[MUSIC] Speaker 3: All class, all style, the here and now of this industry who is quite simply prepared to get in a street fight tonight.
Speaker A
That's the only way he can do battle with Kevin Owens, get down and dirty and scramble up that ladder however you can.
Speaker A
[MUSIC] Speaker 1: He's got perfect teeth, perfect hair, a perfect championship build, but he's not scared to slap.
Speaker A
Speaker 3: Well, let's check out those teeth at the end of this matchup after Kevin Owens has inevitably done a number on WWE's Golden Boy.
Speaker A
Speaker 2: This is perhaps the toughest title defense for Cody Rhodes since he won the championship some 300 days ago at WrestleMania.
Speaker A
The night he finished the story ending the record-setting reign of Roman Reigns. And Cody's saying the hell with superstition.
Speaker A
[MUSIC] Speaker 3: Look ain't gonna help you from here. You're going to war tonight.
Speaker A
Speaker 1: He's locked in too. You can tell by the look in his eyes.
Speaker B
[MUSIC] We talk about a potential trap game, feel here for Cody. Road to WrestleMania starts tonight.
Speaker B
Speaker 2: The man who has become the quarterback of WWE, Pat, touched on it earlier.
Speaker B
Never says no. Involved in anything the company wants him involved in. He's a true leader.
Speaker C
But he hopes he leaves tonight as the true champion. [MUSIC] [SOUND]
Speaker C
Speaker 4: The following contest is a ladder match, and it is for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
Speaker C
Introducing first, the challenger from Merville, Quebec, Canada, weighing in at 242 pounds, Kevin Owens.
Speaker C
[APPLAUSE]
Speaker C
Speaker 4: And his opponent from Atlanta, Georgia, weighing in at 222 pounds, he is the Undisputed WWE Champion, the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes.
Speaker C
Speaker 2: Cody Rhodes has changed. His life has changed. Cody Rhodes is now the hunted.
Speaker C
He is no longer the hunter. And Wade, you've known Cody for so, so long.
Speaker C
This is a much different American Nightmare.
Speaker C
Speaker 3: Yeah, undoubtedly, Cole. Listen, when you are trying to climb Mount Everest as Cody did for his entire career until WrestleMania last year, you have a different mindset.
Speaker C
There's an open-eyed approach, there's an almost joy in that process.
Speaker C
And once you reach the top of that mountain, that's when the real work begins.
Speaker C
And Cody, as you mentioned, never says no to the company. He tries to be the perfect ambassador to this entire industry.
Speaker C
For me, he's on a fool's errand, that's a mistake.
Speaker C
Speaker 2: And with that point made, the man sitting next to us, Pat McAfee here tonight, is much like Cody in the fact that he's constantly working seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
Speaker C
Pat, it wears on you. I talked to you last week. When you run in that type of schedule, you just break down.
Speaker C
Speaker 3: Yeah, you certainly can, your body can stop, but this is what you dream of.
Speaker C
You wanna do that, you wanna be known as the workhorse, you wanna be known as somebody that does it the right way.
Speaker D
Well, take it from someone who's been in that position before. CM Punk, we all heard his words to Cody Rhodes this past week on Raw.
Speaker D
The pressure is getting to Cody Rhodes, his body is getting ground down. Here are over 70,000 people at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Speaker D
Cody Rhodes is the champion, Kevin Owens is the challenger. The Winged Eagle title, the WWE title.
Speaker D
Hang above the ring, you have to climb a ladder, retrieve the championships to become the champion and solidify your spot at WrestleMania.
Speaker D
Speaker 3: Indianapolis wants to see these two beat the hell out of each other.
Speaker D
[NOISE]
Speaker D
Well, they're gonna get exactly what they want, Pat. They promise to punish one another, maybe end each other's career here tonight.
Speaker D
That is where this one-time friendship is ended. And there's the drop down, big right hand by Cody.
Speaker D
Speaker 2: Remember Kevin Owens believed that Cody stabbed him in the back. It has turned Kevin into a delusional, a jealous, a bitter man.
Speaker D
And a high elbow by the dangerous Owens.
Speaker D
Speaker 1: Well, Cody Rhodes invited this upon himself when his then friend Kevin Owens was offered a championship match against Cody Rhodes.
Speaker D
You remember the matchup? It ended up, Cody was the victor because KO couldn't find the killer instinct.
Speaker D
Well, I guess he's refound it now.
Speaker D
Speaker 2: And then Cody Rhodes would go and team with Owens' arch enemy, Roman Reigns, back in October.
Speaker E
And that really sent Kevin Owens off the deep end until he would attack Cody Rhodes in the parking lot in Atlanta and set off this rivalry.
Speaker E
And don't forget what Kevin Owens did to Rhodes' friend Randy Orton since we haven't seen him since that attack.
Speaker E
Speaker 1: Well, KO's turned on countless close friends in the past, especially when gold is up for grabs.
Speaker E
Look at Sami Zayn, Kofi Kingston, John Cena, the list goes on.
Speaker E
Speaker 2: Looking for a suplex into the steel ladder.
Speaker E
Speaker 3: Anything goes here. These two are gonna take advantage of that.
Speaker E
Speaker 2: My goodness, my goodness, Cody went right through the ladder.
Speaker E
Speaker 1: We're gonna need a new ladder, guys, this one ain't gonna work anymore.
Speaker E
Speaker 2: The official really has nothing to do in this match, just has to make sure that the title's come down and he calls the winner.
Speaker E
Speaker 3: Got lacerated from that metal.
Speaker F
Speaker 1: My.
Speaker A
Speaker 1: Speaking of, but it's all perfectly legal. This is exactly why a matchup like this plays completely into the hands of the [INAUDIBLE] Kevin Owens.
Speaker A
Speaker 2: And now using the ladder as a weapon, Wade, I cannot remember a friendship going so bad so quickly, to the point where these men absolutely hate one another, as Cody is driven into the barricade.
Speaker A
Speaker 1: When it comes to Kevin Owens, Cole, all friendships are temporary, they're
Speaker B
Anything's a weapon when you wanna beat the hell out of a guy. Speaker 1: I mean, you can brawl all you want around this arena.
Speaker B
Matches won and lost atop a ladder in the middle of the ring will incapacitate your opponent.
Speaker B
And things are gonna get a hell of a lot easier. Speaker 2: Well, Wade, you know it isn't Cody's genes, right?
Speaker B
Dusty, one of the greatest all time brawlers. Dusty Rhodes, a massive hand in the rise of Kevin Owens in the WWE umbrella.
Speaker B
Of course, that all thrown to one side now. Speaker 2: Yeah, indeed, what Dusty did for Kevin and so many other men and women down at NXT the performance center.
Speaker B
And now Kevin Owens turns his attention to Rhodes with a kick right to the ribs.
Speaker B
Here's an absolute look of just disgust and disdain on the face of Kevin Owens here.
Speaker B
Speaker 1: And there has been that look for several months now, Cole. But the truth is victory tonight for KO and it all becomes sunshine and rainbow once again for the Prizefighter.
Speaker B
Speaker 2: But what if he doesn't win? Speaker 3: Well, he'll find a reason for why it didn't happen, we assume that's KO wrestling.
Speaker B
Speaker 2: And Kevin Owens now sends Cody Owens up. Onto the ladder and then bounce into the floor.
Speaker B
Speaker 3: Kevin Owens right where he wants to be, stalking Cody Rhodes. Speaker 1: Well, Cody has completely been baited into the trap of Kevin Owens.
Speaker B
This is exactly the style KO excels in, perhaps more than anybody else on the WWE.
Speaker B
Speaker 2: Well, there's a reason it's fight Owens fight, right? Fight forever. Kevin Owens now setting up the ladder.
Speaker B
Cody Rhodes is down outside the ring. Kevin's gotta climb the ladder and grab the championships.
Speaker B
He'll be the champ. Kevin Owens now looking to climb. Cody back in the ring to preserve his championship, at least for now.
Speaker B
No other man in history has had more title matches at the Royal Rumble than Kevin Owens has.
Speaker B
As he ducks Cody outside the ring once again looking to climb the ladder. Kevin Owens now, Cody intercepts again playing defense.
Speaker B
Speaker 1: Well, Cody has been on the back foot for the vast majority of the matchup thus far, although, things may be changing before our eyes.
Speaker B
The Street Fighter inside Cody Rhodes is coming to the full. Speaker 2: Ladies and gentlemen, you're looking at an unbelievable scene here at Lucas Oil stadium.
Speaker B
There's over 70,000 and we've been told this is the third largest gate in WWE history, bigger than any single night WrestleMania ever.
Speaker B
And now Cody Rhodes banged off the announce table here. Speaker 3: Jeez. Speaker 2: The first was WrestleMania Sunday last year, followed by WrestleMania Saturday last year, and now the Rumble at number three.
Speaker B
And Kevin Owens now, bang. Bouncing off Cody. And Kevin Owens is losing it. The look on Owens face.
Speaker B
Speaker 3: I'm not losing it, I'm [INAUDIBLE]. Right, he didn't mean that. Speaker 1: Be careful what you say right now, Michael Cole.
Speaker B
Speaker 3: To the son of a security systems technician. Speaker 1: KO's ready to snap, I gotta pull you up, Cole.
Speaker B
KO ain't losing anything, it's Cody Rhodes who's losing it. He's losing the damn match.
Speaker B
Speaker 2: And now Kevin Owens dragging yet another ladder out. Just this look of disgust on his face.
Speaker B
An instrument of torture in the hands of Kevin Owens. Speaker 2: And now building a bridge between the the announce table and the ring.
Speaker B
Kevin Owens now, get out of the way, Pat. Speaker 3: I am out, yep, yep.
Speaker B
Yep yep yep. No idea what Owens is planning to do here. Cody Rhodes, though, fighting back and fighting.
Speaker B
A first disaster as he sends Owens into the steps. Speaker 2: A much-needed burst of life from the WWE Champion but a crucial moment.
Speaker B
Things starting to look bleak for Cody. But now he may have swung the pendulum in his own favor.
Speaker B
And if he can scramble up this ladder, he wins the match just like that.
Speaker B
Speaker 1: Yeah, but Cody just trying to regroup here, trying to drag the ladder back to the center of the ring.
Speaker B
Meanwhile, Kevin Owens with a step ladder here. It's an incredibly short step ladder. Speaker 1: Owens using that to his advantage.
Speaker B
I think Horse Watt will use that once. Speaker 2: You can swing that thing around with abandon, take out your opponent, scramble his brains and his body, leave him incapacitated, and take a leisurely climb up that ladder.
Speaker B
KO's tactics are bang on. Speaker 1: You've been in a Money in the Bank Ladder Match and others as well.
Speaker B
Speaker 2: Yeah, I hated every second of it, incredibly painful. I actually suplex Cody off the top of a 12T ladder in that matchup, and that was the end of me.
Speaker B
These are the worst kind of matches. Speaker 2: He's going high risk. Speaker 1: Owens trying to heck with it.
Speaker B
Speaker 3: It was more mid risk, I guess. Speaker 2: Small risk, low risk, you get it.
Speaker B
Speaker 2: Kevin Owens is not in the business of giving the people what they want.
Speaker B
He's in the business of giving himself what he wants. Speaker 2: The Little Ladder is back
Speaker C
Speaker 1: And now Cody using it as a weapon. Speaker 3: Cody's jamming the Little Ladder.
Speaker C
And now bouncing the ladder off Ko collapses in the corner. Speaker 3: I'll tell you what, this Little Ladder is certainly a menace.
Speaker C
Speaker 1: And now Cody Rhodes, with Kevin down, gonna try to ascend the ladder to grab the championships and retain his title.
Speaker C
Speaker 2: Look how slow Cody's going. Speaker 1: And now again, the ladder right to the knee of Cody.
Speaker C
Speaker 2: Brilliant from Ko, take out a knee. How the hell do you climb a ladder?
Speaker C
Speaker 1: And out of the elbow of Cody Rhodes. Speaker 2: Cody Rhodes is so [INAUDIBLE].
Speaker C
Speaker 1: And out of a midsection of Cody. Speaker 2: Battered and bruised, a body that had already been beaten up with that package piledriver several weeks ago.
Speaker C
I'm not sure he's 100% coming into this matchup. No, no, right out of the ladder.
Speaker C
I can tell you, Kevin Owens isn't 100% the brain, that's for sure. Speaker 3: My God and Cody Rhodes might have just broken every vertebra on that little one.
Speaker C
Speaker 2: And not being 100% in the plane is perhaps an advantage in a matchup this dangerous.
Speaker C
Speaker 1: Watch this and watch the impact of Cody. Speaker 3: It's metal, steel.
Speaker C
Speaker 2: Rearranging Cody Rhodes entire spinal column. Speaker 3: It's a double shot there from the ladder.
Speaker C
Speaker 1: Kevin Owens taken down. Cody Rhodes now trying to set the ladder up.
Speaker C
It's about survival. That's all this is about surviving and grabbing the titles. Speaker 2: Well, that's exactly how Cody Rhodes got himself to the WWE Championship in the first place.
Speaker C
It was a long, arduous climb. Speaker 1: Almost there, Cody's got his hands on the title.
Speaker C
Gonna go up one more wrong. Kevin Owens trying to hang on. Cody Rhodes now has his hands on the championship.
Speaker C
But Cody hanging high above the ring. This could be a disaster. The American Nightmare, though, able to maneuver back to the ladder.
Speaker C
Kevin Owens trying to make sure that Cody doesn't win the title, retain the title here.
Speaker C
Speaker 3: Our champion was just dangling 20ft in the sky. Speaker 2: Fingertips, my goodness.
Speaker C
Cody apparently going for a hurricane rider or something, but KO pulls off what was essentially a pop up powerbomb.
Speaker C
Speaker 3: I don't know how Cody continues to go after this. How much more can our champ's body take?
Speaker C
Speaker 2: We're talking about bodies. A lot is made about physiques in WWE. KO has the perfect physique for absorbing punishment.
Speaker C
Cody certainly does not. Speaker 1: And Kevin continues to punish Rhodes, driving Cody into the ladder again.
Speaker C
Kevin Owens has really dominated most of this match. Speaker 2: One word, durability. That is what Kevin Owens is built for.
Speaker C
This is Kevin Owens wheelhouse. And Cody Rhodes has made the mistake of all mistakes and allowing himself to be baiting Kevin.
Speaker C
Speaker 1: Kevin's climbing to the top of the ladder, looking to win the world title.
Speaker C
Cody Rhodes now try to literally bench press the ladder. And Kevin though, with a kick to the midsection.
Speaker C
Speaker 2: Just too much left in the tank of the WWE champ. Cody Rhodes with that indefatigable human spirit.
Speaker C
Speaker 1: You weren't buying Wade's argument. Kevin Owens in the physique being better for this matchup.
Speaker C
Speaker 3: I think it is good. I think it's calloused. I think he's ready to take the abuse a little bit more.
Speaker C
I mean, nobody wants to be in a ladder match. But Kevin Owens, this is a home game for him.
Speaker C
Speaker 2: There's an element of Mick Foley about Kevin Owens and his style and that body that took Foley all the way to the top.
Speaker C
Well, it might. Speaker 1: And it's interesting you said that because earlier today I saw Mick Foley in heavy conversation with Kevin Owens.
Speaker C
Speaker 1: Mick was here earlier on as now Cody is driven into the steps hip first.
Speaker C
Speaker 2: Love to have been a fly on the wall for that conversation. It seems like Kevin Owens doesn't wanna speak to anybody whatsoever currently.
Speaker C
But perhaps the hall of Famer Mick Foley got through to him and gave him some tactical advice.
Speaker C
Speaker 1: Kevin Owens now back into the ring along with Cody Rhodes. It has been a fight the majority of KO in this match so far.
Speaker C
Cody, look at the turn things around and he may do that right there with the suplex.
Speaker C
Got readjusted quick. Snap suplex by Cody Rhodes. He's taking a beating tonight. Speaker 2: Yeah, as much as we make of the durability of Kevin Owens, it pays to remember that he is still a human being.
Speaker C
We all have fragilities and when they're exposed, and Cody may have exposed the fragility in Kevin Owens, but can he take advantage?
Speaker C
Speaker 1: Wait a minute. Cody Rhodes just busted off the lower rung of the ladder.
Speaker C
Where have I seen that before? Speaker 2: Tactic of mine, once upon a time.
Speaker C
Speaker 1: Yeah, I think that way Barrett invented this tactic, and I used. Speaker 2: It on Cody Rhodes.
Speaker C
He clearly learned a trick on. Speaker 1: Cody Rhodes using the bottom rung of that ladder as a weapon, but he runs into a super kick by Owens.
Speaker C
Speaker 2: Well, that was almost game over for Kevin Owens. I was like being beaten up with a baseball bat.
Speaker C
All completely legal, of course, that strut of the ladder, two or three more shots on the frame of Kevin Owens and he may have been down for good.
Speaker C
Speaker 1: But Pat Cody does not look good right now. Speaker 3: How could you?
Speaker C
We're deep into a ladder match. Nobody's going to look good at this stage. Speaker 3: Big lefts from Kevin Owens, southpaw, those left jabs not just a mocking Cody's dad, Dusty Rhodes and there is a ladder right off the face of Rose.
Speaker C
Speaker 2: Well, Cody Rhodes essentially falling on his own sword now introduced that strut of the ladder into the matchup.
Speaker C
Didn't get the job done against KO. Speaker 1: And listen, I know Kevin Owens wants to punish Cody.
Speaker C
I know he wants to destroy this guy. But Kevin Owens is a position now to climb the damn ladder and grab the titles and win the championship.
Speaker C
But instead he wants to beat the hell out of Cody here. And again to the skull of Rhodes.
Speaker C
Speaker 2: Because Cody Rhodes is not an ordinary superstar. He's extra special. That's what got him for the goal in the first place.
Speaker C
This is smart from Kevin Owens. Do not go for the goal too soon. But I finished the job.
Speaker C
Speaker 1: But I also told the story of talking to both of these men earlier today.
Speaker C
And it's all about punishing, perhaps ending careers. That is what Owens and Rhodes want to do to each other tonight.
Speaker C
Speaker 2: Well, if you end someone's career who is in a matchup with you.
Speaker C
How easy is it gonna be for you to climb that ladder, grab the goal, kill to.
Speaker C
Two birds with one stone. Speaker 2: Kevin Owens is trying to end careers every match that he's in, willing to do whatever to have success.
Speaker C
Speaker 3: Cody been in five ladder matches in his career, but all have been Money in the Bank ladder matches.
Speaker C
And again-
Speaker D
With the little ladder. Speaker 3: Yeah, bounced off Rhodes. Speaker 1: Rhodes just has nothing left, the tank is empty.
Speaker D
Speaker 2: I think it's a ball of steel getting thrown around. These guys are battering each other.
Speaker D
Speaker 3: Guess what we need? Another ladder. Don't you have enough in the ring already?
Speaker D
Speaker 1: They're all broken, Cole. That's part of the problem. And so is the body of the WWE champ, Cody Rhodes.
Speaker D
Trying to crawl out of the way. He gotta clear some traffic, too many ladders in the ring.
Speaker D
Speaker 1: He's trying to get those ladders out of there so Kevin Owens can't beat his body up with them.
Speaker D
But it might be too late for that, Cody. Speaker 2: What's Kevin Owens setting up here?
Speaker D
Speaker 3: Furniture here. [NOISE] Speaker 2: This looks painful. I'm the champ. Speaker 2: You could be, especially if you hit this.
Speaker D
Speaker 3: Cody now trying to fight back, realizing it could have been a disaster there.
Speaker D
Big forearm by Owens, and another one to Cody. And Cody just has not been able to find any sort of groove in this match.
Speaker D
Speaker 1: God, God, look what's coming. Speaker 3: My God, no, no, not, not this.
Speaker D
My goodness. [NOISE] Speaker 3: Kevin Owens was going for a package piledriver. [NOISE]
Speaker E
Speaker 3: Cody Rhodes countered with his back body drop through the damn ladder. Speaker 1: Well, Kevin Owens was attempting to finish the career of Cody Rhodes once and for all, a package piledriver on that ladder would certainly have done it.
Speaker E
And there was some burning ember left in the soul of Cody Rhodes. Speaker 3: And now Cody with an opportunity, Wade.
Speaker E
Kevin Owens is down, he may not be able to walk. Cody Rhodes now trying to hoist the ladder and win this match.
Speaker E
Speaker 1: Well, I can't believe Cody Rhodes is back up on his feet. It would behoove him to scramble up that ladder with everything he's got, get this one over-
Speaker F
Well, he's trying. And get straight to a doctor. Trying to do what he can.
Speaker F
Speaker 2: Kevin Owens might have some internal bleeding. Speaker 3: Kevin Owens running interference, trying to play defense, but Cody Rhodes is close to the top.
Speaker F
Kevin Owens down, my goodness, out from up there. Kevin Owens has Cody Rhodes up top, Owens now sends Rhodes into the damn ladder.
Speaker F
Speaker 2: Back of his head and neck. [NOISE]
Speaker A
Speaker 1: Exploded through the ladder. Speaker 3: Just listen to this. [NOISE]
Speaker B
Speaker 1: There is a very, very simple equation, bone versus steel. There's only ever one winner, and it certainly was not the body of Cody Rhodes.
Speaker B
Speaker 3: This is for the undisputed WWE Championship. It is a ladder match in front of over 70,000.
Speaker B
And Kevin Owens, the challenger, slowly climbing the ladder. Will this be his destiny? Will this be his moment?
Speaker B
His first title in eight years. Cody Rhodes trying to play defense here, trying to grab Owens back off the ladder.
Speaker B
[NOISE]
Speaker C
Speaker 3: I don't know how Cody's even functioning. Speaker 1: Cody just crawled out of a major car wreck.
Speaker C
[CROSSTALK]
Speaker D
Speaker 1: But he's just delaying the inevitable at this point, angering KO further. Speaker 2: How much more can our champion take?
Speaker D
Speaker 1: Cody looks done, done, and dusted. Speaker 3: No pun intended. Speaker 1: And what instrument of torture is KO turning to next?
Speaker D
Speaker 2: Yeah, ladders all over the place. Speaker 3: He's demented, he's sick, sick in the head.
Speaker D
I guarantee you Owens has been up at night. Speaker 1: Some will call it sick in the head, others will call it a winner's mentality because you have to go for broke here.
Speaker D
Wade, this guy has been sitting up at the night thinking of ways to torture and punish Cody Rhodes.
Speaker D
Speaker 2: I didn't have to do this. Speaker 1: It's been highly effective, clearly, Cole.
Speaker D
Speaker 3: Kevin Owens said, I didn't have to do this, it didn't have to be this way.
Speaker D
And Cody quickly back to his seat, thank goodness. Owens may be going for the splash.
Speaker D
Speaker 2: Yeah, we might have seen Cody Rhodes splatting right here in front of us.
Speaker D
Speaker 3: What is Cody thinking? He glanced back at that ladder that Kevin had set up.
Speaker D
Cody Rhodes now. [NOISE]
Speaker E
Speaker 2: Wait a minute. Speaker 3: No, no, no, no. Speaker 2: Yeah. Speaker 3: My God, Owens is hooking the leg.
Speaker E
Fisherman Buster, Fisherman Buster, Fisherman Buster, through the ladder, through the ladder. Speaker 2: He might be dead.
Speaker E
[NOISE]
Speaker F
Speaker 2: They're checking pulses. [NOISE] Speaker 3: The human body- We've got a- Speaker 2: Is not supposed to endure that.
Speaker F
Speaker 3: Hang on, Pat. We have officials, general manager Nick Aldis, are down here.
Speaker F
Both men are down. [NOISE]
Speaker A
Speaker 3: Aldis trying to figure out how badly hurt both Owens and Rhodes are.
Speaker A
Speaker 3: What's he saying? Speaker 1: Entertainment is one thing, but these are human beings.
Speaker A
Speaker 3: My God, look who's here. Speaker 2: Wait a minute. Speaker 3: Sami Zayn is here.
Speaker A
Speaker 1: Well, Kevin Owens talked to Sami Zayn about a quid pro quo here at the Royal Rumble.
Speaker A
Come on, Sami. Speaker 1: You help me, I'll help you. And let's meet in the main event of WrestleMania.
Speaker A
Speaker 3: Sami is friends with both of these guys. Speaker 2: Sami might be worried about them because of what they've done to each other.
Speaker A
Speaker 1: I don't know, I smell a fix. I don't like this at all.
Speaker A
Speaker 2: I'm getting a hint of that as well, Wade. [NOISE]
Speaker B
Speaker 3: And now Sami again checking on Kevin and Cody. Officials are down here trying to figure out if they can resume this match for the championship.
Speaker B
Speaker 1: Both men physically a this was a question if this match is even gonna continue.
Speaker B
But looking at Kevin Owens, he has taken it out of the hands of the officials.
Speaker B
Speaker 3: Well, the match continues, obviously. Kevin Owens is back to his feet. Owens wants the championship, he wants to put Cody Rhodes away.
Speaker B
Remember, you only win when you grab the titles. Speaker 2: Giving it out here.
Speaker B
Do you boys wanna quit? Speaker 3: Went for the Stunner. Cody Rhodes now, Cross Rhodes on Owens.
Speaker B
[NOISE]
Speaker C
Speaker 1: A last roll of the dice, perhaps, from Cody Rhodes. And it beggars belief that Rhodes is moving.
Speaker C
Speaker 3: Yeah, Cody trying to climb the ladder, Kevin Owens, though, not gonna allow him to do it.
Speaker C
Cody Rhodes has been to hell and back in this match, and it's continuing. Speaker 1: Problem is Cody Rhodes has a human spirit.
Speaker C
Speaker 3: My goodness. And Owens bounced right off our announce table [INAUDIBLE]. And Cody Rhodes has switched gears here.
Speaker C
Cody Rhodes has got Kevin Owens busted open. Speaker 2: How does he have this much on [INAUDIBLE] at this stage?
Speaker C
Kevin Owens head off the post. Speaker 3: Kevin Owens is busted open. Cody Rhodes has turned into a madman.
Speaker C
[NOISE]
Speaker D
Speaker 1: Kevin Owens, welcome to your worst nightmare, The American Nightmare is alive. And KO is busted wide open.
Speaker D
Speaker 1: It sounds serious, but it's getting correct. Speaker 1: Cody Rhodes now targeting the wound on the face of KO.
Speaker D
That's what you wanted, that's what you wanted. [NOISE]
Speaker E
Cody snapping on Kevin Owens. [APPLAUSE]
Speaker F
Speaker 1: Kevin Owens brought this upon himself. KO brought this upon himself. He made Cody Rhodes this way.
Speaker F
Just a few moments ago. They're both being asked if they wanted to point that.
Speaker F
Speaker 1: And a low blow of desperation. Low blow by Kevin Owens. [NOISE]
Speaker A
Speaker 1: Kevin Owens looking to end the WWE Champion right here. [NOISE]
Speaker B
Speaker 1: No, no, no. Looking for that package, pile driver, Cody able to counter.
Speaker B
[NOISE] Powerslam through the ladder. Kevin Owens turned inside out. [NOISE] Speaker 1: And meanwhile, Cody Rhodes back into the ring.
Speaker B
Cody Rhodes gonna take the opportunity to climb the ladder. Speaker 1: Well, Kevin Owens has to be finished there, Cole.
Speaker B
Speaker 1: Cody Rhodes is near the top. Cody Rhodes has the championships in hand.
Speaker B
Speaker 1: Kevin Owens might be done, we're good. Speaker 1: Cody Rhodes on top of the ladder, Kevin Owens has not moved.
Speaker B
Cody Rhodes takes down one title. [NOISE]
Speaker C
Cody Rhodes takes down another. [SOUND] Cody Rhodes wins. Speaker 1: Here is your winner and still the undisputed WWE Champion, The American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes.
Speaker C
Speaker 1: Cody Rhodes looks to be headed to WrestleMania as the Champion. We may find out in the Rumble Match next who he will face.
Speaker C
Meanwhile, serious concern here at ringside for Kevin Owens. Our doctors out here checking on him.
Speaker C
[MUSIC] Speaker 1: One of the most sickening matches we have ever witnessed here in WWE.
Speaker C
The human spirit of Cody Rhodes droving through this. Speaker 1: Kevin hasn't moved. And these two were willing to end it all to win.
Speaker C
Thought it was over for Cody there and then waved. Speaker 1: Well, this was the moment KO tried to end Cody Rhodes career with a package piledriver on either the steps or the table, but Cody Rhodes powering through with this Alabama slam.
Speaker C
And look at the landing of Kevin Owens. This is a crucial part, it's essentially head first for The Prize Fighter as the ladder snap.
Speaker C
Speaker 1: And KO has been folded up like an accordion ever since. Cody Rhodes did what he had to do tonight.
Speaker C
Speaker 1: Cody Rhodes finished his story at WrestleMania. But the latest book is now being written.
Speaker C
The maturation process of Cody Rhodes over the last ten months. And he's realizing as the WWE Champion, you have no friends.
Speaker C
[MUSIC] What a fight. Speaker 1: Kevin Owens is an absolute mess. Bloody and battered and broken as our Champion.
Speaker C
Speaker 1: And that's the only way you can beat The Prize Fighter. Cody Rhodes did it, went to the depths of humanity because that how much.
Speaker C
Speaker 1: But here's-
Speaker D
The championship means. Speaker 1: Here's the story, Wade, at ringside, Kevin Owens being attended to.
Speaker D
A very concerned general manager, very concerned friend, Sami Zayn. Cody Rhodes, though, did what he had to do to keep his championship and ensure the opportunity to go to WrestleMania.
Speaker D
It's supposed to be a joyous moment, but the concern for Kevin Owens is so high right now, I think we're all struggling to celebrate.
Speaker D
Speaker 1: Got blood all over our desk. Speaker 1: I hate to be callous about this, Wade, because we're talking about a human being here, but Kevin Owens, he brought all of this upon himself.
Speaker D
He let his bitter jealousy and just get to him. Drove him over the edge.
Speaker D
[MUSIC] Speaker 1: What does he say about Cody Rhodes? That he was able to raise himself to the exact same level at such a deranged individual as Kevin Owens has become.
Speaker D
Speaker 1: What's he doing? Yeah, welcome back, Champ. And Cody Rhodes, the Champion, will celebrate tonight after one of the most courageous performances of his career.
Speaker D
Speaker 1: What a win. [MUSIC] What a fight from Kevin Owens. [MUSIC]
Topics:WWERoyal Rumble 2025Cody RhodesKevin OwensWWE Title Ladder MatchUndisputed WWE ChampionshipWinged Eagle ChampionshipLucas Oil StadiumWrestleManiaWWE Ladder Match
