Street Fighter has always had a focus on rivals, whether that was Guile vs. M. Bison, Ryu vs. Ken Masters, or Oro vs. Akuma, and fans can expect such rivalries to play some role in the upcoming Street Fighter movie. Details on it are scarce, but with more and more casting reports coming out, it seems possible the Street Fighter movie wants to ignite its own sort of rivalry between Guile and Akuma.
It is reported that WWE superstar Roman Reigns is set to take on the role of Akuma, while Cody Rhodes is playing Guile. Any WWE fan knows the history between these two figures, with Cody Rhodes winning the Royal Rumble two years in a row to face Roman Reigns for the WWE Undisputed titles at WrestleMania 39 and WrestleMania 40. Of course, this is all kayfabe and the two men probably don’t despise each other in real life, but it would be a missed opportunity if the Street Fighter movie didn’t tie their legendary rivalry in.
Street Fighter and WWE, Guile and Akuma
It’s worth noting that this isn’t wild speculation, but a possibility rooted in Street Fighter‘s history with the WWE. In Street Fighter 3, Alex vs. Hugo has a unique staredown animation that intentionally evokes WrestleMania 3. Alex is inspired by Hulk Hogan, while Hugo is based on Andre the Giant. Alex and Hugo’s staredown is modeled after that iconic moment, and there have been plenty of other references throughout history. However, up there with Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant is no doubt Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns. The fact that it is more modern could be a boon if Street Fighter and the two WWE Wrestlers tap into it.
Guile and Akuma Don’t Really Have a Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns History
That said, it may not be entirely obvious from the casting. While Roman Reigns is a strong casting for Akuma and Cody Rhodes is a strong fit for Guile, it’s not like the two figures specifically have a long history. But if both figures are in the movie and the movie has yet to reveal any plot details, it would only make sense for the show to lean into the animosity that has already been displayed between Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes in the WWE. Guile and Akuma could easily spark a new rivalry, strengthened by Rhodes and Reigns’ old one, as a major plot point of the movie.
Even in a more limited capacity, their physical relationship could add a lot to the movie. Akuma spearing or delivering a Superman punch to Guile would be a great moment for fans, while of course Guile could hit Roman Reigns with the Cody Cutter or the Cross Rhodes. If the movie really wanted to lean into the relationship, it would be hilarious if Akuma said the Cross Rhodes “sucked” as a fighting move, as Roman Reigns once did. That said, good will ultimately prevail as it did at WrestleMania 40, and it’s unlikely Akuma gets a face turn afterward.
Sometimes the best way to get animosity on-screen is to tap into a little real-world animosity, and while in this case, it’s pure kayfabe, it still presents a unique, fun, fitting, and proven story for Street Fighter to pursue. There are obvious narrative hooks to bring Guile and Akuma into a rivalry, and Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns have the history to make it fit into the world of Street Fighter.
Street Fighter 6
9/10
- Released
-
June 2, 2023
- ESRB
-
T For Teen Due To Mild Blood, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence
- Engine
-
RE Engine