Cody Rhodes Advocates for Time-Limited Matches in WWE

One of the biggest differences between WWE and AEW in terms of in-ring action has to do with the duration of matches, especially the headline ones. While Tony Khan's company has the "time limit/stipulated time" factor, the Endeavor-owned company lacks any kind of restrictions in this regard, so matches can only end with a victory or a referee decision.

Cody Rhodes, current Undisputed WWE Champion and face of the company, is well acquainted with both systems, and he is very clear about which one is his favorite. He explained this in a recent interview with Jimmy Traina on the SI Media podcast from Sports Illustrated as part of the promotion for WrestleMania 42.

"Time limits. I would bring them back because, let's say you have a cold match, meaning, no previous rivalry, no story or development. There's a natural tension when you hear: 'Five minutes have passed, ten remain.' There's a clock. Jim Ross told me, and he was right. You can give importance to a match that didn't really have it," he said.

"The audience is the most important element of participation we have in this," he continued. We don't do this just for ourselves. So they get involved with the 'five minutes left'. As you sometimes see in New Japan, when they say '15 minutes have passed,' you start to notice how the audience gets excited. It becomes serious, and we're entering deeper waters. I love time limits. They will never come back. It's unlikely, but I love them."

Cody Rhodes will be one of the main stars of WrestleMania 42. "The American Nightmare" will defend the WWE Undisputed Championship against his mentor and "brother" Randy Orton in the main event of the first night of the Show of Shows. This is a match where much more will be at stake than just a title belt. "The Viper" and his new ally, Pat McAfee, have promised to "save the industry" from the poor leadership carried out by Cody.