In a shocking turn of events that has sent ripples through the wrestling world, WWE has officially retired the Universal Championship, a title with a storied history that began in 2016. Even more controversially, the company has removed Cody Rhodes’ name from the record books as a former Universal Champion, effectively rewriting his legacy. Rhodes, known as “The American Nightmare,” recently shared his devastation in a heartfelt statement, expressing the pain of seeing years of dedication seemingly discarded by the organization he has poured his heart into. “I’ve lost years dedicating myself to this, and this is how they treat me,” Rhodes said, his words resonating with fans who have followed his journey from underdog to champion.

The decision to retire the Universal Championship came shortly after WrestleMania 41, where Rhodes lost the Undisputed WWE Championship to John Cena in a match that marked Cena’s record-breaking 17th world title reign. The main event, held on April 20, 2025, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, was a polarizing affair, with Cena’s victory aided by a heel turn, a low blow, and interference from rapper Travis Scott. While the match itself drew mixed reviews, the aftermath has proven far more contentious. According to reports from WrestleTalk, WWE updated its official website to list the Universal Championship as “retired,” with Roman Reigns recognized as the final champion at WrestleMania 40 on April 7, 2024. Rhodes, who held the title for 378 days, was stripped of his status as a former Universal Champion, a move that has sparked outrage among fans and wrestlers alike.

Rhodes’ journey to the top of WWE was nothing short of cinematic. The son of WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes, he spent years carving out his own legacy, first in WWE from 2007 to 2016, then on the independent circuit and in All Elite Wrestling (AEW), before returning to WWE in 2022. His crowning moment came at WrestleMania 40, when he defeated Roman Reigns to capture the Undisputed WWE Championship, ending Reigns’ historic 1,316-day reign. For 365 days, Rhodes carried the title, defending it across nearly 70 matches, including high-profile bouts against Kevin Owens and AJ Styles. His reign was celebrated as a testament to perseverance, with fans rallying behind his “American Nightmare” persona and his mantra of finishing the story.

However, the decision to erase his Universal Championship reign has cast a shadow over these accomplishments. The Universal Championship, introduced at SummerSlam 2016 with Finn Bálor as its inaugural champion, was unified with the WWE Championship by Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 38 in 2022. Despite being represented by a single belt since June 2023, WWE continued to list the Universal Championship as a separate title, with Rhodes recognized as its holder until his loss at WrestleMania 41. The sudden retirement of the title and the removal of Rhodes’ name from its lineage have led to speculation that WWE made the move to ensure John Cena’s record of 17 world championships remains unchallenged, as recognizing Rhodes’ Universal title reign could have tied Cena’s count at 18.

Fans have taken to social media to express their frustration, with posts on X calling the decision a “disgrace” and accusing WWE of disrespecting Rhodes’ contributions. One user, @The_RedW0lf, wrote, “WWE has retired the Universal Championship AND stripped Cody Rhodes of his entire 1yr+ reign as a double champion… This is all so they can say ‘John has 17’ and not 18.” Another, @MaracleMan, noted the irony of WWE taking over a year to retire the title after Reigns’ loss, only to do so in a way that diminishes Rhodes’ legacy.

Rhodes’ emotional response has only deepened the fans’ connection to him. In his statement, he reflected on the sacrifices he made to reach the pinnacle of WWE, from grueling matches to relentless travel, all in pursuit of a dream. “I gave everything to this company, to the fans, to the story,” he said. “To have that taken away feels like a betrayal.” While Rhodes has not indicated his next steps, many believe he will channel this setback into a new chapter, potentially embarking on a quest to reclaim the Undisputed WWE Championship.

For now, the wrestling world waits to see how WWE addresses the controversy. Will they acknowledge Rhodes’ contributions, or will “The American Nightmare” be forced to fight once more to restore his place in history? As the dust settles, one thing is clear: Cody Rhodes’ story is far from over, and his resilience will continue to inspire fans around the globe.