Steve Austin Explains Why Cody Rhodes’ WrestleMania 39 Loss Was The Right Decision

Steve Austin believes WWE made the right call by having Roman Reigns go over Cody Rhodes to retain the Undisputed WWE Universal Title at WrestleMania 39.

While speaking with Sports Illustrated, Austin commented on the finish. 

“I was wondering how they were going to do this match. They built it perfectly. I told my wife, ‘I think they’re going 30 [minutes].’ They ended up going just over 34, and it was a classic. I loved it, and I wouldn’t have changed a thing. I texted a couple people who were involved, and I sent a one-word text: Magnificent.”

“I loved the finish,” says Austin. “I loved all of it. Roman is so good right now. The story was there—Cody coming back from injury, coming back into the fold after he left from AEW, and putting himself in the position he’s in now, overcoming all this adversity as part of one of the most famous wrestling families that’s ever been in the business, and trying to finish the story against Roman.”

“I watched both nights of WrestleMania 39 very intently. To me, you can’t take that belt off Roman right now. You want to get it to Cody somehow, someway, some time—but now’s not the time.”

Austin noted that he loved the finish, where several members of The Bloodline as well as Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens, got involved. 

“I kept asking, ‘How are they going to do this?’” says Austin, marveling at the pure intensity—one of his most defining trademarks—of the match. “To have Solo Sikoa, who has a great career in front of him, Jimmy and Jey Uso, who are just so badass, plus Sami and Kevin, Paul E., I love all those guys—they all played a great role. Roman is so hot. It just wasn’t time to pass that torch yet.

“Just thinking about that finish, I thought it was definitely the right call. I loved the outside interference. You didn’t know what was coming next. That spike to the throat, for me, it was money.”

You can keep up with all your wrestling news right here on eWrestlingNews.com. Or, you can follow us over on our Twitter and Facebook pages.