Kevin Owens vs. Cody: Could the Ladder Match Steal the Show at Royal Rumble 2025?

Kevin Owens, Cody Rhodes are featured in the thumbnail for this episode

Fans are buzzing about the potential showdown between Kevin Owens and Cody Rhodes in an epic ladder match that’s set to shake next week’s Royal Rumble 2025. Everyone’s wondering if these two fan favorites will deliver the high-octane showstopper that can overshadow the rest of the card. There’s talk of big bumps, unexpected twists, and a title on the line, turning this match into the prime focus of WWE conversations. If you’re looking for a heads-up on why Owens vs. Cody is grabbing headlines and how the ladder stipulation might tip the scales, stick around—this is the match people can’t stop talking about.


SmackDown Developments and the Future of Pretty Deadly

One of the more animated parts of the show focused on WWE SmackDown. The hosts raved about the tag team Pretty Deadly, pointing to their entertaining style and comedic flair:

Dave Simon:
“Yes, boy, is going to take over the WWE. And you can sit there and say, ‘no, boy,’ all you want, but you are going to learn to accept it.”

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In that simple line, you can hear the excitement. Dave explained how Pretty Deadly had a standout match despite coming up short. He felt they were on the verge of a breakout, praising their comedic timing and ring awareness. The crowd reaction, even if not always huge, showed flickers of support. Dave described their signature “Yes, boy” bit as something that might evolve into a major hit—comparing them to The New Day’s early days when fans booed at first, only for the group to become beloved.

Meanwhile, the hosts analyzed shifting rosters, like Damian Priest moving shows and Carmelo Hayes facing unexpected matchups. Dave also laughed about the “transfer window” label, joking that WWE was taking a page from soccer. Pro Wrestler Johnny North wasn’t entirely sold on parts of the episode, but he admitted that certain matches had highlights, especially those involving comedic or innovative teams.

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The group brought up the possibility of more significant storylines forming. For instance, the approach to building the SmackDown tag scene with three-hour runtimes might give younger or lesser-known duos more TV time. Dave underlined that even if fans see SmackDown as overly long, it allows fresh faces to shine.

Their banter touched on the women’s division, though the hosts found some of the promos and matches on the show long-winded. Johnny singled out a spot where Bianca Belair and Liv Morgan had good chemistry, but the rest of the match felt rough. SmackDown had hits and misses, yet everyone seemed jazzed about seeing what’s next for the budding squads.


Kevin Owens, Cody Rhodes, and the Road to the Ladder Match

The upcoming WWE Royal Rumble in 2025 got some spotlight here, especially with the talk of Kevin Owens facing Cody Rhodes in a ladder match. Dave and Johnny were giddy about this storyline, seeing it as a high point. They expect these two to blow the roof off any arena with stunts, big bumps, and the promise of a fresh champion or a major moment in their rivalry.

Dave Simon:
“That match with Cody at the Rumble could be the match of the year. I’m expecting it to be fantastic.”

Kevin Owens is riding a wave of momentum, going from feud to feud, main-eventing weekly shows, and stirring up the crowd with his brash style. This has caused some to wonder if he might dethrone Cody before WrestleMania. Dave even suggested a scenario where Kevin wins at the Rumble, complicating the usual road to WrestleMania. He stated it would shake up a promotion that many see on autopilot until the year’s biggest event.

Johnny was a bit more skeptical, suspecting that Cody was the chosen face of the company. In his eyes, WWE set Cody up to hold onto the belt until a rumored showdown with John Cena. He does see Kevin’s popularity but thinks Cody, for better or worse, will remain the champ heading into WrestleMania. The idea of Kevin Owens winning at the Rumble generated excitement. Fans love a surprise, and that shock twist would end the predictable “Cody as the unstoppable champion” vibe.

The conversation spun off into talk of Sami Zayn possibly winning the Rumble, fueling a Kevin-Sami title match at WrestleMania. Dave found that angle fascinating, recalling the team-ups and breakups these two have had. Could they be allies in the Rumble, helping each other on the path to the main event? Dave said:

“Imagine the Royal Rumble where Sami comes out and helps Kevin beat Cody… Then he helps Sami win the Rumble. They could wrestle each other at WrestleMania.”

Though the group agreed it might be a stretch, the mere idea of it excited them. Lior from the live chat chimed in:

Long-time YouTube channel member from New Brunswick, Lior (live chat):
“A ladder match is a good way for Cody to lose without getting pinned.”

That quote sparked the group to think about creative finishes. Perhaps that sets up a way for Kevin to ascend without burying Cody. On the flip side, Antoinette from the chat had another angle:

Long-time YouTube channel member from Toronto, Antoinette (live chat):
“Sammy screws Kevin, then WrestleMania against each other.”

Dave found that scenario possible, though it would lean into Sami turning heel—a huge shift from his current portrayal. The hosts wrapped up that segment by saluting the unpredictability of the Rumble, especially with more time to build new angles before the big show.


CM Punk Speculation and Locker Room Drama

It wouldn’t be a wild wrestling chat without CM Punk. Dave fired shots about Punk’s antics, remembering the star’s complicated time in AEW. He spoke about Punk’s UFC background, describing how even a “bad UFC fighter” has more combat training than many wrestlers. Yet, it was Punk’s personality that drew the most potent reactions:

Dave Simon:
“He’s fun to watch, but come on, the ego in this guy… you can’t help but see through the nonsense.”

This came during a rant where Dave compared Punk’s political moves to Hulk Hogan’s back in the day, calling him a “master manipulator” who wants to pick the perfect spots to keep himself on top. Punk’s rumored goals in WWE—like main-eventing WrestleMania or winning a future Royal Rumble—were met with skepticism. The show weighed whether Punk would angle to beat the unstoppable Gunther or face Roman Reigns. Johnny reminded everyone that Punk loves to talk about helping the business, yet his track record sometimes points to self-interest.

Listeners in the live chat mostly sided with Dave, noting that Punk’s best days might be behind him. Patrick from the chat said:

Sustaining Channel Member via membership.ringsidereport.net, Patrick Denault (live chat):
“Was a huge CM Punk fan until he came back and sucked. He ain’t what he used to be.”

Dave noted that fans still pop for Punk’s promos, but the dynamic has changed since his early days as the “voice of the voiceless.” Now, folks see him as a legacy act with a chip on his shoulder. He left a mark in AEW, but not the positive one many wanted. Whether WWE would give him a top spot remains an open question. With that, the hosts concluded Punk remains a must-see TV, even if he often sparks more backstage drama than storylines.


Hurt Syndicate Aew Tag Team Champs
Hurt Syndicate AEW Tag Team Champs

AEW Tag Scene Shift, Rock and Roll Express Oddities, and Audience Notes

Switching over to AEW, the hosts praised the new tag team champions Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin, collectively known as part of the “Hurt Syndicate” or “Hurt Business” carryover from old ties. Private Party’s title run ended with a whimper, which didn’t surprise Dave:

Dave Simon:
“They tried with Private Party, but it just didn’t work.”

He felt the pairing of Lashley and Benjamin had more weight. Shelton has experience as part of “the world’s greatest tag team,” and Lashley, while older, still carries star power. The group pointed out that a conflict with Swerve Strickland got dropped without a blowoff. That felt awkward. Johnny suggested the rematch is still on the table, possibly at a major show, but Dave doubted it would ever happen now that Lashley and Shelton have pivoted to another path.

Another comedic piece was the Rock and Roll Express cameo. They appeared backstage on AEW programming, only to get beaten down by Jon Moxley’s allies. The hosts found this bizarre because the legendary duo had no real storyline presence:

Dave Simon:
“They’re literally taking a paycheck to lie down backstage. If you’ve not established them at all on TV, no one cares that it’s Rock and Roll Express.”

He and Johnny laughed at the idea that older fans might care, but younger fans or casual viewers wouldn’t even notice. Dave said it would be like seeing Hulk Hogan randomly appear unconscious in the hall for no reason. The entire bit came off as puzzling, with zero buildup.

Johnny North With His Patrick Laine Sweater On The Wall Behind Him
Johnny North with his Patrick Laine sweater on the wall behind him

Audience Shoutouts

Throughout the episode, there were fun moments involving the live chat. Angelo said:

Long time Ringside Report YouTube Channel Member Angelo (live chat):
“I like the jersey behind you, Johnny.” (referring to the Patrick Laine sweater pictured above)

He was praising Johnny’s new gear. The comedic banter about sports jerseys gave the show a lighthearted pause from the heavier rants. The hosts also responded to messages from folks watching on Twitch, YouTube, and Rumble, encouraging them to share thoughts or predictions. That direct interaction is part of the show’s charm, inviting fans to connect each week.

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Wwe Royal Rumble 2025 Post Show Thumbnail
Join us for the WWE Royal Rumble 2025 Post Show as it concludes

Join us again live as Royal Rumble 2025 concludes for our post-show on February 1st at around 11 PM on YouTube , Rumble, Twitch, or Kick and share your reactions live in the chat.

Next Friday, Dave and Johnny will preview the Royal Rumble.

Key Takeaways and Next Steps

  • Pretty Deadly’s Rise: Fans might want to watch out for more “Yes, boy” chants. The crew predicted big success, drawing parallels to The New Day’s early days.
  • Kevin Owens vs. Cody: This potential Royal Rumble classic could either keep Cody on top or open the door for Kevin as a fresh champion. The ladder stipulation allows a big twist without a clean pin.
  • Sami Zayn Intrigue: Whether Sami grabs the Rumble spotlight or turns on Kevin remains uncertain. The show’s panel saw multiple ways to shake up the main event scene.
  • CM Punk’s Future: Love or hate him, folks still talk about Punk. His possible mania plans, main event dreams, and ego were all front and center in the conversation.
  • Tag Team Titles in AEW: Lashley and Benjamin offer a heavier-hitting style. Swerve is left hanging, but future matchups might still happen if Tony Khan puts it back on the table.
  • Veteran Guest Appearances: Using legends like Rock and Roll Express for backstage beatdowns without context feels out of place, though it might amuse older fans.

Watch the replay on YouTube, Rumble, Twitch, or Kick to catch the full banter. You can also listen to the audio podcast below wherever you get your podcasts. The hosts dive deeper into rumors, possible contract signings, and more behind-the-scenes notes that keep the live chat buzzing.


Final Thoughts

Stories can change in a heartbeat. WWE’s path to big shows like Crown Jewel and the Royal Rumble in 2025 continues shaping new angles for Kevin Owens, Cody Rhodes, and a string of fresh faces. AEW’s ongoing experiments in the tag division, plus a swirl of free agency rumors, add to the unpredictability. As fans debate whether CM Punk is still the needle-mover or just a figure of controversy, the momentum behind Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, and rising teams like Pretty Deadly is undeniable.

The hosts and chat audience were full of ideas, predictions, and playful jabs. Whether you side with Dave’s hype for “Yes, boy!” or lean toward Johnny’s skepticism about certain booking choices, there’s no doubt pro wrestling keeps everyone on their toes. Tune in for more as storylines head toward AEW Revolution, WWE Crown Jewel, and beyond. Remember to jump into the comment section on your favorite platform and join the conversation live next time.