Cross Rhodes Finisher Variations and Opponent Perception

[SirLucas]

I want to delve into an interesting aspect of Cody Rhodes' finisher. Have you noticed how Cody often reserves the Triple Cross Rhodes for top-tier opponents like Brock Lesnar or Roman Reigns? When Cody pulls off the Triple Cross Rhodes, it's presented as one fluid sequence, akin to Eddie Guerrero's Three Amigos. While Cody Rhodes vs. AJ Styles was a stellar bout, one thing struck me was that AJ only fell victim to a single Cross Rhodes. This struck me as AJ being presented as not being a big enough threat to receive the full Triple Cross Rhodes treatment.


Could the finish of this match suggest a subtle burial of AJ? What are your thoughts on this?

[UN PLOMBIER NIGHTMARE #blm]

I've never seen the single cross rhodes as a burial of anyone, I see the double/triple cross rhodes having more to do with making absolute sure that the opponent is done.

The single cross rhodes can also be more devastating than three of them if there's enough torque thrown into it and Cody puts his all into it. I would've bought Roman or Brock losing to one cross rhodes the first time they faced off with Cody, it's the fact that they've had many more matches that made the multiple finishers necessary. AJ/Cody was about as flawless of a predictable main event as you could've gotten and I'll stand by that.

[SirLucas]

I know for the Cody Roman Mania match that if Roman wasn't losing unless it was a Triple Cross Rhodes. It was even hinted night one that Cody would hit the Trips night two after the Rock cut off Cody in that tag match after two Cross Rhodes.

[The Foreigner™: OffSZN]

I don't think the single Cross Rhodes is a shot at AJ's kayfabe strength considering it came right after a super Cody Cutter.

[thirteen3]

It's not like he kicked out of a Styles Clash or nothing.

No finisher spam at all in this match. I appreciate that.

[clc]

I don't even know what a Cross Rhodes is. Is it a neck breaker? Is it a slam the guys head on the ground? Both?
Meh. No one though AJ had a snowballs chance in heck of winning. One finisher is plenty. That's not a burial, it's just a fact that AJ is not a top level threat anymore.

[Mozenrath]

I don't think it was a burial, no. Like, if Cody used one of his secondary finishers to end him like the figure four, then yeah, that'd give a perception of "this guy is well below me".

[SirLucas]

May 4, 2024 15:24:34 GMT -5 thirteen3 said:

It's not like he kicked out of a Styles Clash or nothing.

No finisher spam at all in this match. I appreciate that.

I don't see the Triple Crossrhodes as a finisher spam, like when Austin would give multiple stunners or Rock with multiple Rock Bottoms. But 3 Crossrhodes is a move in itself like the aforementioned hat trick by Eddie Guerrero. 

[J is Justice]

I wish Cody Cutter was his finisher.

[TWERKIN' MAGGLE]

Listen, sometimes you just don't wanna build up three finisher bars. I get it.

[Ryback on a Pole!]

Nah, save the triple one for the major threats--next time it should be used should be if he fights Rock. Save it for the biggest challengers.

[schma]

I feel like the triple Cross Rhodes is basically Cody's burning hammer. He's given it everything and nothing has done the job so now you're getting 3 of his finishers because dammit he's putting you down one way or another.

Edited to add the fact that both he and AJ countered a lot of each other's finishers. It really played up how well they had scouted each other.

[Super Duper Dragunov]

Burial of AJ?? Absolutely not.

I was surprised that he won with one Cross Rhodes, and the crowd I'm guessing also expected a kick out as well, but I'm glad it only took one finisher to win.
Every big match having a finisher spam is getting to the point that when there's not one people ask if it's a burial. That's how much we need to dial it back.

Also sign me up for the team that wants the Cody Cutter to be his finisher. It's like Bayley's top rope elbow drop in that it's a move that I really wish was their actual finisher.
Then again Cross Rhodes is fine, but the Rose Plant is awful.

[schma]

May 5, 2024 3:02:00 GMT -5 Super Duper Dragunov said:

Burial of AJ?? Absolutely not.

I was surprised that he won with one Cross Rhodes, and the crowd I'm guessing also expected a kick out as well, but I'm glad it only took one finisher to win.
Every big match having a finisher spam is getting to the point that when there's not one people ask if it's a burial. That's how much we need to dial it back.

Also sign me up for the team that wants the Cody Cutter to be his finisher. It's like Bayley's top rope elbow drop in that it's a move that I really wish was their actual finisher.
Then again Cross Rhodes is fine, but the Rose Plant is awful.

Sami's Blue Thunder Bomb should be his finisher. It's a thing of beauty and looks devastating.

[4real]

Remember when Braun Strowman lost to one F5 and people thought he looked weak because of it? That can be the problem if you have guys kicking out of finishers every match.

So no I thought it was fine. The finisher should be that’s it over. Of course do it in big matches if the story demands it but otherwise they aren’t finishers anymore.

[john84]

May 4, 2024 15:13:20 GMT -5 UN PLOMBIER NIGHTMARE #blm said:

I've never seen the single cross rhodes as a burial of anyone, I see the double/triple cross rhodes having more to do with making absolute sure that the opponent is done.

The single cross rhodes can also be more devastating than three of them if there's enough torque thrown into it and Cody puts his all into it. I would've bought Roman or Brock losing to one cross rhodes the first time they faced off with Cody, it's the fact that they've had many more matches that made the multiple finishers necessary. AJ/Cody was about as flawless of a predictable main event as you could've gotten and I'll stand by that.

Same. Pretty much word-for-word my view on the topic too.

[The Summer of Muskrat XVII]

May 4, 2024 15:13:20 GMT -5 UN PLOMBIER NIGHTMARE #blm said:

I've never seen the single cross rhodes as a burial of anyone, I see the double/triple cross rhodes having more to do with making absolute sure that the opponent is done.

It's kinda like playing No Mercy. Yeah, you're probably good for the win after hitting your finish but might as well hit it 2 more times before the Attitude meter runs out just to make sure.

[SirLucas]

I stand corrected. AJ was already buried when he got drafted Round 4 in the lead up to this match.