Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens Prepare for Epic Ladder Match for WWE Title at Royal Rumble

In a thrilling turn of events for WWE fans, Cody Rhodes is set to defend his Undisputed WWE Championship against none other than Kevin Owens at the upcoming Royal Rumble, scheduled for February 1. This highly anticipated rematch will feature a dramatic stipulation—a ladder match for both the Undisputed title and the coveted winged eagle belt.

The excitement ignited during the latest episode of "WWE SmackDown," which opened with a chilling recap of the previous showdown where Owens took down Rhodes, leaving him on a stretcher after a brutal package piledriver. To add salt to the wound, Owens boldly claimed the winged eagle belt for himself, setting the stage for their next confrontation.

In a pivotal segment, SmackDown's General Manager Nick Aldis stressed the urgency for Owens to return the stolen championship, threatening him with severe consequences should he refuse. Following a high-energy brawl involving Sami Zayn, the newly formed Bloodline, and Braun Strowman, Owens made his way to the ring, defiant as ever. He declared that he wouldn’t relinquish the winged eagle, calling it his "bargaining chip" for the rematch against Rhodes. Owens claimed he had Rhodes pinned, but the absence of a referee cost him the title.

Aldis sternly reminded Owens that his threats wouldn’t sway him, insisting that if the championship wasn't returned, Owens could face a future outside WWE. Just when tensions escalated, Rhodes' entrance music hit, and the champion took the mic. He passionately delivered a promo, stating that this fight was no longer for himself, but for his daughters, fans, and everyone who supports him. He insisted that it was his responsibility to reclaim the championship, not Aldis'.

Rhodes demanded a match where the rules would not hinder his quest for justice—a ladder match, where anything goes. Aldis, recognizing the fervor in Rhodes’ voice, quickly made the match official for the Royal Rumble, much to the delight of the audience.

In a final act of aggression, Owens attempted to shake Rhodes' hand but used the moment to push Aldis into Rhodes, adding insult to injury by stomping on Rhodes' already injured neck. This dramatic showdown sets the stage for a thrilling clash, with the stakes higher than ever as fans eagerly count down to what promises to be a historic Royal Rumble event!

Will Rhodes reclaim his title, or will Owens solidify his reign as a champion in WWE? One thing is for sure—the WWE Universe will not want to miss this explosive encounter!