AJ Styles isn’t Too Sweet on Cody Rhodes ahead of pivotal Backlash WWE Championship defense

After a relatively quick but overall strong build-up to a highly anticipated bout between Cody Rhodes and AJ Styles at WWE Backlash, the two men faced off for what could be the final time before their Undisputed WWE Universal Championship match at the Kickoff event in Lyon, France.

But what would they say? Well, while both men got down to business and largely stuck to their usual talking points, in the end, there was an interesting wrinkle added to the storyline because Rhodes decided to acknowledge their shared history in Bullet Club, going so far as to offer up a Too Sweet to his opponent in an attempt to keep things civil before their war.

“Lyon, you guys are ready, aren’t you? Are you excited that a Premium Live Event has come to France? That excitement, the noise that you’ve been making, everything that’s happening out in this moment, it’s why tomorrow, at Backlash, right here, this thing? Is going to be the show of the year,” Cody Rhodes told AJ Styles at WWE Backlash. “Michael asked how did I prepare? How does someone prepare for someone as ‘Phenomenal’ as AJ Styles? How does one prepare for the ‘Phenomenal’ AJ Styles is simple: on the road full time, this is my priority, not knocking the ‘Tribal Chief’ Roman Reigns by any means. I said it not too long ago: I am the right man for the job. I think Michael Cole knows, I think Byron knows exactly what we plan to get into tomorrow; I wish this was under a bit of better terms. Last week, AJ implied that I cannot carry the weight of this championship… Well, that’s what it sounded like. Hey, perhaps there’s a chance, here and now, tonight as well. It’s no secret. Former leader of the Bullet Club, I don’t know.”

Rhodes offered up the Too Sweet to Styles, but alas, it wasn’t meant to be; the second leader of the Club rejected his offer, and instead, Michael Cole accepted it, making him a quasi-official addition to the group. Turning back to the matter at hand, Rhodes addressed the crowd one final time, letting them know that he’s going to bring his best at Backlash, as he doesn’t want his title defense to be a one-and-done.

“Guys, Michael, Byron doing an outstanding job up here at this Kickoff event, everyone backstage bringing it to you, and I think each and every one of us know, I can see all the way back there, this is very special,” Rhodes declared. “And if anything, I don’t know if Michael or Byron have any more questions for me, but if anything, I worked my entire life to hold the WWE Championship. I told everybody when I was in Paris the last time that I wanted to come back, that a PLE was coming back, that I would be coming back WWE Champion. So however we say it, however we do it, know this: tomorrow at Backlash, I am leaving here WWE Champion!”

Will Rhodes keep his dream alive in Lyon? Or will Styles clash with his opponent and ultimately come out on top? Fans will have to see on the first Saturday in May.