Royal Rumble 2023, beginning of feud between the Tribal Chief and the American Nightmare

Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns are set to clash against each other in the main event of both nights of WrestleMania XL. On night one of the event, they will be up against each other in the tag team match partnering with Seth Rollins and The Rock respectively. On night two, they will be fighting against each other for the undisputed WWE Universal Championship title.

As Cody Rhodes won the Royal Rumble 2024, for the second time in a row after 2023, he got a crack at Roman after a series of differences in thought process. WrestleMania XL is a complicated feud between two sides. But this is not the beginning of their feud. It all started in the previous Royal Rumble 2023. It was in the same event where the duo participated in the same arena for the first time in years.

Roman Reigns' main event for defending his title against Kevin Owens. Following the Bloodline rules match where Reigns got multiple assistance, as usual, he finally managed to beat Kevin who acted as a thorn on his leg. After the event, Bloodline started to punish Owens brutally. Sami Zayn, an honorary member of the Bloodline, could not see the torture. 

Roman Reigns vs Cody Rhodes in 2023

When asked to hit Owens with a chair, Zayn betrays the Bloodline by hitting Roman. It resulted in the Elimination Chamber main event between Roman and Zayn. As the Tribal Chief defended his title following multiple assistance, his opponent for the WrestleMania came into the picture. It was Cody Rhodes, who won the men's rumble match on his return to the company. 

Rhodes had a brilliant night in Royal Rumble 2023. He entered the arena as the 29th participant and gave a good performance. On his way to glory, the American Nightmare eliminated Gunther, who lasted in the ring for over an hour. As Roman defended his title in the Elimination Chamber, Rhodes was up against Reigns for the first time. That was how the feud between the two began.