Cody Rhodes Admits Hypocrisy Was On Full Display After Controversial WWE Promo
Cody Rhodes shed some light on his infamous “Raheem” promo and why he felt like a hypocrite after it.
There was a promo from Cody Rhodes on the February 6th edition of WWE SmackDown that got a lot of attention. That’s because Cody’s promo featured a line where he made a size reference to a certain body part, and it had nothing to do with his arms or legs. During the promo addressing the CM Punk-Roman Reigns match at WrestleMania 42, Rhodes uttered this eye-catching line:
“And besides, I heard it was gonna be a ‘you know what’ measuring contest. Well, they’re both glad I’m not in it, because I didn’t get the nickname Raheem for no reason.”
After Cody Rhodes uttered the “Raheem Rhodes” line, the fans cheered, and Cody revealed that his wife, Brandi, supported him in using it, too.
At the time of the promo, Cody was not the Undisputed WWE Champion, but he is that now after winning the WWE Title back from Drew McIntyre on the March 6th edition of SmackDown. The 3-time WWE Champion Rhodes spoke to Insight’s Chris Van Vliet about that “Raheem Rhodes” promo moment.
“It came up randomly. I was never, ever going to touch it, as I probably shouldn’t. I was never going to touch it. I think I’ve kind of expressed this. I felt like there was this natural, sometimes people watch the show and they’re watching and they’re just entertained, and they don’t tweet about it and they don’t post about it.
Other times, there’s people watching more from the they’re deeply invested, and they’re invested in the behind-the-scenes nature of it, and we have Unreal. This is all our own design, right?
I think there was some more on the latter side, who thought he’s got to reply to what CM Punk and Roman had said about the WWE Championship or about the A show. He’s got to reply to that. I wanted to make it very clear I was not going to be replying to that. I’m not going to spend my time heading towards WrestleMania in Allegiant Stadium, talking seriously about that, so that was my way around it. Hey, if we’re going to make this measuring contest, well, I didn’t get this nickname for no reason, and I stand by it. I stand by what I said. I stand by it.
I am actually glad, though, because we could have kept going as far as the next thing you know, Punk could be out there. That’s not what we needed.”
Cody Rhodes Wore A Kids Shirt While Delivering “Raheem” Line
As he addressed the “Raheem” line even further, Cody Rhodes spoke about how he felt like a bit of a hypocrite bragging about his body while wearing a kids’ Cody Rhodes shirt.
“I needed a one-and-done on this little bit, and here’s something funny about it, though, I chose to say that on the night that I debuted a youth kids t-shirt.
I am wearing the kids t-shirt when I said it, so my hypocrisy was on full display. The first time ever WWE said, this is the youth only line, because we had a lot of kids who wanted the Nightmare stuff and not the skulls, so I needed to wear it. But that also was the night I said that.
So again, my hypocrisy on full display. I’m a complicated man.”
Cody Rhodes will defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42 on April 18 & 19. Rhodes and Orton will take part in a contract signing on the March 13th edition of SmackDown in Phoenix.
The advertised lineup for SmackDown in Phoenix is below:
- Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton to sign contract for WrestleMania Title Match
- The Irresistible Forces vs. Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair | WWE Women’s Tag Team Title Match
- “Miz TV” returns with special guest Jelly Roll
- Michin battles Jade Cargill
- Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga take on Uncle Howdy & Erick Rowan
Also Read: Cody Rhodes is frustrated sometimes when people twist his words.