Cody Rhodes Explains Dusty Rhodes’ Presence During Special WWE Entrance

Cody Rhodes has always been open about the deep love and admiration he holds for his late father, the legendary Dusty Rhodes, who died in 2015 aged 69.

Throughout his career, The American Nightmare has often expressed how much he misses his dad, especially during his biggest moments, wishing The American Dream could be there to celebrate with him.

SummerSlam 2025 was one of those defining nights for Rhodes. He faced John Cena for the Undisputed WWE Championship and triumphed, defeating the 17-time world champion to reclaim the title he had lost earlier this year at WrestleMania 41. It was a monumental victory that marked a significant milestone in his journey.

To make the night even more meaningful, Rhodes incorporated a special tribute during his entrance, which was a heartfelt mashup of promos and audio clips from Dusty Rhodes.

“I can feel him with me,” says Cody Rhodes

Speaking on the SummerSlam Sunday Post-Show, Cody Rhodes opened up about the emotional significance of having his father’s voice with him in that moment. He described how it felt as though Dusty Rhodes was truly there by his side.

“You’ve got a really wonderful — Brian Fadem in the truck and you’ve got Triple H and I had an idea of maybe some words that could describe the journey of a champion, the words of somebody describing the chase… Hey, the words they used were his words, and ‘the view never changes’ is my favorite thing he ever said because it’s so accurate,.”

“And no matter what you do here, it is so hard to climb and to put that view in a different perspective and to try and lead like he suggested. I can’t have him here with me, but in a moment like that, I can feel him with me, and that’s a blessing. I’m lucky to have that, and it’s like he came down to the ring with me in a way,” said Cody Rhodes. [H/T Ringside News]