Cody and Damien: 'Best Friends'; Better Enemies?

Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow squared off with each other at Summerslam last night with Rhodes coming out victorious in decisive fashion. This match was great for the loyal fan as it was a culmination of a years friendship and need to progress for both men. I looked at how we've gotten to this point and the pleasing aspect of having something play-out for such a long period of time.

History
After having the longest Intercontinental championship reign in almost seven years, and with seemingly no direction in singles competition in mid-2012, Rhodes started to team with Damien Sandow in late August. Damien had debuted his 'Intellectual Saviour of the Masses' gimmick just after Wrestlemania XXVIII and this was a nice step-up for the relative newcomer (he had had a previous stint in WWE a few years earlier).

Around this time, Daniel Bryan and Kane had become the WWE Tag Team Champions and with this, they would need credible teams to challenge them. It's probably no coincidence then that Rhodes and Sandow would defeat Bryan and Kane in singles matches on the September 9th episode of Smackdown before announcing their union, and team name - Team Rhodes Scholars - on the following Raw.

Rhodes and Sandow challenged for the Tag Titles several times

What would follow in the next few months would be very confusing, though. Despite becoming number one contenders on numerous occasions, and even defeating the champions in non-title bouts, Rhodes and Sandow would never become the Tag Team Champions in their time together. They would have no-less-than four attempts at winning the gold - two of which were on PPV - but would not be victorious.

I would take a punt that the WWE had no idea what to do with Kane and Daniel Bryan had they not been champions - they struck gold by teaming them up (due to 'anger issues') and having them become champions but really missed something by not having them drop the championships to the worthy team of Rhodes and Sandow. This is the only reason I can see for not crowning Rhodes and Sandow champions.

Best Friends
After their last attempt at the Tag Team titles at the 2013 Royal Rumble, Rhodes and Sandow would agree to go their separate ways but remain 'best friends'.

Only a few weeks later, though, they would again team up to take on Brodus Clay and Tensai (Tons of Funk) on the Elimination Chamber Pre-show in a losing effort. With the addition of the Bella twins and the Funkadactyls, an eight-person tag team match would be set for Wrestlemania XXIX - one that would not happen due to time restraints. This would be another obstacle in the path of two of the WWE's most talented guys.

Things would start to pick up for the duo as of the Extreme Rules pay-per-view; Cody would compete against The Miz on the pre-show in a losing effort and Damien would be defeated by Sheamus on the pre-show of the Payback pay-per-view. Although they both lost it was a step-up from not being on PPV. The latter match would be a result of a mini-feud that consisted of Damien conducting 'intellectual challenges' on Smackdown - Sheamus interrupting and accepting them. Although these segments were probably designed to elevate Sandow, they would also show a 'bully' side to Sheamus - becoming frustrated and resorting to attacking Sandow.

Sandow in a rare moment; in control of Sheamus

Despite the inevitable loss to Sheamus on pay-per-view, Sandow would have one moment to saviour as he would get the better of Sheamus with a vicious assault. In a WWE filled with Sheamus always getting the last word, this was a very welcome sight. It gave Damien a level of credibility.

Better Enemies?
Leading to the Money in the Bank pay-per-view it was announced that Cody and Damien would compete in the World Heavyweight Championship MITB Ladder match. This MITB contract match would see seven 'future' superstars battle it out for the somewhat lesser WHC contract as opposed to the 'Allstar' WWE MITB Ladder match.

In the weeks building to MITB, Damien and Cody would have exchanges where it would become clear that they agreed that the best man would win, along with the knowledge that, regardless of who won, they would still remain best friends. During these backstage skits, it would be obvious that Damien had a more confident, almost forceful approach that he would be the better man.

If I'm honest, I wouldn't have predicted a Cody or a Damien win going into the PPV. The same would be said for the 'Real Americans' tag team of Antonio Cesaro and Jack Swagger. I felt that all four had tag team commitments, and futures, and that they were there purely to make up the numbers. My pick was Wade Barrett as he is long overdue a World Title opportunity and had nothing going on at the time.

As it turned out, WWE might actually have struck gold with its decision to have Damien turn on Cody and be crowned Mr Money in the Bank. I'm still baffled how a heel threw another heel (albeit his best friend) from the ladder to win and we're supposed to buy that as a definite break-up, but I'll overlook that! I suppose on the lead up to the finish, the crowd were 100% behind Cody due to an intensity-filled sequence from him before his downfall.

The Sandow-ized MITB briefcase

The Future
On their journey towards Summerslam, both men have been given some quality time on TV to build the feud and have also been positioned at important parts of the show. This is massively important if we're to care about this rivalry. It really feels like WWE want us to get behind these guys - and I haven't felt that about a feud for a very long time. If it doesn't revolve around the WWE or WHC titles then it doesn't normally get the relevant attention on TV.

This feels different. It really feels like the WWE realise that they have to invest in the future earlier. With Cody and Damien they have something unique and different - a feud that has history.

Normally feuds develop just after the last PPV has finished. They then get resolved at the next PPV and the cycle begins again. This feud has been a year in the making; Cody and Damien have been team-mates, best friends, and remained mid-card challengers for a year now and that's uncommon in today's WWE landscape. It also means that, to frequent watchers of Raw and Smackdown, we have been there throughout the journey - and despite them being heels, we've enjoyed the friendship and alliance that these two have shared. As a result, we can really get behind seeing this play-out and establish a definitive winner; where we're rewarded for the time that we've invested in these characters.

Summerslam: Rhodes defeated Sandow

At Summerslam last night, Rhodes pinned Sandow and this pleased me no end. It surely means that the feud will continue, and hopefully that'll mean that the stakes will be raised. Maybe Cody will now challenge for the MITB contract; a match that will raise the stakes and keep Sandow busy (whilst he awaits cashing-in his briefcase). My hope is that whoever the eventual winner is, both men will come out of this elevated and in contention for the World title, or even better, the WWE title (wishful thinking, I know).

@jimmosangle