That's particularly important for the former given what transpired at SummerSlam. Rhodes could feasibly carry the gold into Survivor Series: WarGames in November and then through the Royal Rumble to set the stage for one of the WrestleMania 42 headliners.

John Cena’s time in WWE is soon coming to a close, and he spectacularly passed the torch to Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam – no heel turn needed. But that’s not what the night will be remembered

Cody Rhodes is once again undisputed WWE champion. Rhodes outlasted John Cena in a lengthy, hard-fought SummerSlam Night 2 main event on Sunday to regain the championship he lost to Cena at WrestleMania.