>>9391677Cody Rhodes and Gunther represent opposing sides of the same traditionalist wrestling philosophy. While Cody embraces a more classic american style, Gunther encapsulates a brutalistic, even rambunctious, fighting technique all but lost in the modern world. These professional sports entertainers clashed at the Rumble, where Cody barely managed to throw over a weakened, tired Gunther.
Paul's booking of the Cody Rhodes vs Ludwig Kaiser match is brilliant because it acts as a visual callback to the earlier story beat, seeing him once again take on the fascist-esque stablemate of Gunther, another man who undergoes the same philosophy that Gunther beholds. This is done as to send a personal statement to the audience. The first time when Cody met the fascists, he was fighting for a spot in a match against Roman Reigns. The second time he's met them, he's fighting for a spot for himself against Roman Reigns, as in he's fighting to prove that he is worthy to be "acknowledged" by the Tribal Chief, as explained in his promo after the 5 star classic against LA Knight last week.
