Cody Rhodes is heading into WrestleMania 42 with the weight of the Undisputed WWE Championship on his shoulders, but even "The American Nightmare" has a must-see match on his personal viewing list. In a recent appearance on ESPN's *Get Up*, Rhodes was asked which bout outside of his own title defense he's most excited for, and his answer was immediate: Gunther vs. Seth Rollins.

Rhodes praised the Night 1 showdown as a pure, old-school wrestling contest. "There’s always a little bit of that split between the sports entertainment and the wrestling... the one that’s old-school sports style that I really like, just good, old-fashioned wrestling: Gunther vs. Seth Rollins," Rhodes stated. "I’m all about that. That’s a wrestler’s wrestling match." His endorsement highlights a clash of styles fans crave, pitting Gunther's punishing, technical mastery against Rollins' dynamic, high-risk offense.

The matchup carries extra intrigue given Rollins' journey back to the ring. The "Visionary" has been sidelined since suffering a shoulder injury against Rhodes himself at Crown Jewel in October 2025. His choice of return opponent speaks volumes, setting the stage for a potential instant classic built on in-ring excellence rather than pure spectacle—a fact clearly appreciated by a student of the game like Rhodes.

Rhodes also didn't hold back when discussing the controversial build to his own match. He addressed broadcaster Pat McAfee, who will be in Randy Orton's corner, calling him a "rat" surrounded by "yes" men. This added personal stake ensures that Rhodes' title defense will be charged with as much emotion as the technical brilliance he anticipates from Gunther and Rollins. It's a WrestleMania weekend offering something for every kind of fan: storytelling drama and pure, unadulterated in-ring competition.