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Cody Rhodes-AJ Styles contract signing set for next WWE SmackDown

Posted: Apr 20th 2024 By: Joseph Currier

Next Friday, Cody Rhodes and AJ Styles will meet for the first time since their upcoming title match was confirmed.

A Rhodes-Styles contract signing will take place on next week's episode of SmackDown. Rhodes is defending his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Styles at Backlash in Lyon, France on Saturday, May 4. It will be Rhodes' first defense of the title.

Styles was set up as Rhodes' Backlash challenger by defeating LA Knight in a number one contender's match on SmackDown tonight.

Rhodes is currently competing on WWE's house show tour of the United Kingdom. A promo aired on SmackDown with him addressing Styles:

Back home, AJ Styles has emerged as the number one contender for the Undisputed Championship. Two Georgia boys duking it out in the heart of France, for the first time ever at that. AJ Styles has an unprecedented reputation in the wrestling game. He is the modern Excellence of Execution. AJ Styles rarely misses. Well, I don't miss either. Lyon, France -- Backlash, I look forward to it.

Rhodes became Undisputed WWE Universal Champion by defeating Roman Reigns in the main event of WrestleMania 40 night two.

Next Friday's SmackDown is night one of the 2024 WWE Draft. The episode is taking place from the Heritage Bank Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.

WWE SmackDown (Friday, April 26) --

Cody Rhodes & AJ Styles contract signing for Backlash Undisputed WWE Universal Championship match
The 2024 WWE Draft begins