The Street Fighter Movie Might Ignite a New Rivalry With a ‘Real-World’ One

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The classic fighting game “Street Fighter” has consistently emphasized the dynamic between rivals, be it Guile versus M. Bison, Ryu versus Ken Masters, or Oro versus Akuma. It appears that such heated rivalries will factor into the upcoming “Street Fighter” film as well. Although specifics are still sparse, the increasing number of casting announcements hints that the movie may be aiming to spark a fresh rivalry between Guile and Akuma.

According to reports, WWE sensation Roman Reigns is slated to portray the character Akuma, while Cody Rhodes has been cast as Guile in the upcoming Street Fighter film. Every WWE enthusiast is aware of the rich history between these two personas, with Cody Rhodes having won the Royal Rumble twice consecutively to challenge Roman Reigns for the WWE Undisputed titles at WrestleMania 39 and WrestleMania 40. While it’s important to remember that this is all scripted drama (kayfabe), it would be a missed chance if the movie didn’t acknowledge their legendary feud on-screen.

Street Fighter and WWE, Guile and Akuma

It’s interesting to point out that the connection between Street Fighter and WWE isn’t just conjecture, but has roots in Street Fighter’s past. In Street Fighter 3, Alex vs. Hugo features a distinctive staredown animation that intentionally recalls WrestleMania 3. Characters Alex, inspired by Hulk Hogan, and Hugo, based on Andre the Giant, share this moment reminiscent of the iconic original. Throughout history, there have been numerous references to this duo. Notably, Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns are also well-known in WWE today. If Street Fighter were to collaborate with these modern wrestlers, it could be an exciting development.

Guile and Akuma Don’t Really Have a Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns History

Although Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes might not share a long history with the characters they are portraying (Akuma and Guile), their real-life animosity in the WWE could create an interesting dynamic if both figures appear in the movie. This tension could be developed into a new rivalry between Akuma and Guile, which could serve as a significant plot point for the film, given that the movie’s storyline remains undisclosed at this time.

In a somewhat scaled-down form, their interactive dynamics could significantly enhance the film. A scene where Akuma executes his spear or Superman punch against Guile would be an exciting spectacle for fans, while Guile could retaliate with the Cody Cutter or Cross Rhodes on Roman Reigns. If the movie decides to fully explore their bond, it would be amusing if Akuma criticized the Cross Rhodes as a fighting technique, reminiscent of Roman Reigns’ past comments. However, despite the humor, it’s expected that good triumphs in the end, much like it did at WrestleMania 40. It’s also unlikely that Akuma would undergo a transformation into a heroic character following this event.

One method to create authentic on-screen rivalries is by drawing from genuine real-life tensions, even though in this instance, it’s all part of the scripted wrestling lore known as kayfabe. This approach offers a distinctive, entertaining, suitable, and proven narrative path for Street Fighter to explore. There are clear plot points that can ignite a feud between Guile and Akuma, while Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns have the history to seamlessly integrate into the Street Fighter universe.

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2025-07-05 16:53