WWE Legend Surprised By Cody Rhodes’ Success
One of the biggest names in WWE history admits that he didn’t think that Cody Rhodes would develop into the “sports entertainer” that he is.
Ever since Cody Rhodes came back to WWE at WrestleMania 38 in 2022, he made it his goal to “finish his story” by becoming the first WWE Champion in his family. Winning that WWE Championship was his goal because his father Dusty Rhodes never got to do it and his brother Dustin Rhodes aka Goldust didn’t do it either.
After two years that saw him with two Royal Rumbles as well as headline three WrestleManias, Cody Rhodes finally became the Undisputed WWE Champion when he defeated Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia.
While Roman Reigns had help from Solo Sikoa, Jimmy Uso & The Rock in that Bloodline Rules Match, Cody had some help as well from Jey Uso, John Cena, The Undertaker and Seth “Freakin” Rollins. The Undertaker may have been the biggest difference maker of them all because his Chokeslam on The Rock took out the People’s Champion, which led to Cody finishing off Reigns shortly after.
During a recent episode of his Six Feet Under podcast, The Undertaker said that Cody called him during his WrestleMania title celebration. As he told the story, The Undertaker said that Cody’s title win was deserved, but Taker also admitted he didn’t think Cody would become the sports entertainer that he is.
“He sent me a voicemail the night he won the title. It was 3:49 AM, I think. I made out about half of it. I believe he was having a good time that night. Well deserved. He has come full circle. I didn’t see him developing into being the sports entertainer that he is. Another example of motivation and not being content with where you’re at and learning.”
“A lot of guys come into WWE before they are ready and end up leaving, and leaving unhappy. I don’t know for certain, but I’m pretty sure he left the same way. Man, did he figure things out on both sides. From the marketing aspect, business aspect, to connecting with is audience. He’s not the same person as when he left. Not even close.”
What The Undertaker was referring to is that Cody worked for WWE for about a decade before leaving in 2016. That led to Cody re-inventing himself on the indies while also working in ROH & TNA before being part of the team that created All Elite Wrestling in 2019. In WWE now, Cody is the unquestioned top babyface in the company.
Cody Rhodes Set For Big WWE Title Defense At Backlash France
As the fighting Undisputed WWE Champion, Cody Rhodes has already put his title on the line at live events. However, he hasn’t had a title defense on television yet. That will change this Saturday, May 4th when he defends the Undisputed WWE Championship against AJ Styles at Backlash France.
On WWE Smackdown in Cincinnati, Cody Rhodes and AJ Styles signed the contract to make their Backlash match official. The two men are set for a “Face to Face” segment this Friday on Smackdown as well.