ESPN Embarrassingly Botches Cody Rhodes’ Name

Cody Rhodes is the Undisputed WWE Champion in his second reign as face of the company. The second generation Superstar has been pushed at the top of the company since returning, but now his fans are firing back at ESPN after what some see as a sign of disrespect.

The American Nightmare dethroned John Cena of the Undisputed WWE Championship at SummerSlam on August 3 to begin his second reign. Rhodes did not make his first title defense until retaining over Drew McIntyre in the main event of WWE’s inaugural Wrestlepalooza PLE on September 20, mainly due to Street Fighter filming.

Cody became the first-ever WWE Crown Jewel Champion in November 2024, and he will fight for that championship once again as the SmackDown representative when he goes up against World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins of RAW at the Crown Jewel VII PLE later this month.

The new WWE-ESPN alliance got off to a rocky start after Wrestlepalooza, and now the leading brands are going viral again for less-than-ideal circumstances. During the Iowa State vs. Cincinnati college football game on ESPN2 this weekend, announcer Roy Philpott was plugging WWE Crown Jewel when he touted “Cory Rhodes” as the Undisputed Champion.

“Don’t forget, WWE Crown Jewel, live from Perth, Western Australia, next Saturday, October 11 at 8am Eastern. Catch it on the all-new ESPN App… Cory Rhodes to battle Seth Rollins in a WWE Crown Jewel Championship match,” Roy Philpott said.

ESPN called him “Cory Rhodes”😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/ZoSgtcfZ9L

— AIR (@AIRGold_) October 5, 2025

Updated Card For WWE Crown Jewel With Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins

WWE is just six days away from its seventh Crown Jewel PLE, set for Saturday, October 11 at RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia. Below is the updated card:

1. AJ Styles vs. John Cena
2. Asuka and Kairi Sane vs. IYO SKY and Rhea Ripley
3. Last Man Standing: Damian Priest vs. Aleister Black
4. Women’s Crown Jewel Championship: Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer of RAW vs. Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton of SmackDown
5. Crown Jewel Championship: World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins of RAW vs. Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes of SmackDown

WWE will begin its tour Down Under with Friday’s go-home SmackDown from the same venue that is hosting Crown Jewel. Monday’s post-PLE RAW will also be held at the RAC Arena in Perth, then WWE will hold a Supershow non-televised live event on Wednesday, October 15 at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia.

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