WWE sensation Cody Rhodes is looking forward to his title defense next week on SmackDown. The star is in his first reign as the Undisputed WWE Champion, a title he’s held for the last 153 days.

The American Nightmare confronted The Bloodline during the opening segment of SmackDown this week. Solo Sikoa challenged him to a championship match, claiming their last encounter was tainted by Roman Reigns’ return. The champ obliged, and a Steel Cage match was made official by General Manager Nick Aldis.

Cody spoke with Byron Saxton this week on SmackDown Lowdown. Rhodes claimed he had the advantage inside the Steel Cage because of Solo’s inexperience. The American Nightmare stated that he would acknowledge Solo Sikoa as the Tribal Chief only if he could defeat him and take the Undisputed title from him.

“I’d be a fool to say I was not concerned. I’d be a fool to say I didn’t have a little trepidation, a little fear about it. But I have been in many a Steel Cage, and Solo Sikoa has never been in one. We said it out there, the Ula Fala, The Bloodline revolves around that thing. Well, the WWE revolves around this – the Undisputed WWE Championship. If Solo Sikoa is Tribal Chief enough to defeat me, however, he does it, I’ll stand in that ring in front of God, in front of the whole world, and I’ll acknowledge him.” [From 4:37 – 5:20]

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Cody Rhodes feels it was a mistake to challenge The Bloodline

During the same conversation, Cody Rhodes spoke about his challenge to Jacob Fatu earlier at night. Looking back, Cody felt it was a bad idea to challenge any member of The Bloodline because he would end up fighting them all.

“I feel for Solo Sikoa. I don’t know what I was thinking challenging any of them to a fight. The truth is if you’re fighting any member of The Bloodline, you’re fighting them all. So there is nothing more perfect, there is nothing more destination for this type match than a Steel Cage,” Cody said.

Cody Rhodes felt the Steel Cage was an appropriate structure for his title match against Solo Sikoa.

It will be interesting to see if the Steel Cage can stop other members of The Bloodline from interfering in the match next week on SmackDown.