Cody Rhodes recently spoke about why he thinks fans have connected to his wrestling story so well. Rhodes has been a pro wrestler since 2006. In that time he has achieved success here and there, but most people didn’t care about him or his story in the business. That was until 2016 when he left WWE.
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When Cody Rhodes left WWE he went to the indies and helped to start AEW. During that time he started to garner a lot of buzz and make a name for himself. That buzz translated to a lot of popularity when he returned to WWE in 2022. He immediately became a top guy in WWE.
CODY RHODES EXPLAINS WHY HIS STORY RESONATED WITH FANS
At last year’s WrestleMania, Cody Rhodes faced Roman Reigns for his championships but failed to capture them. Since then his focus has been on “finishing his story” and being the first Rhodes to hold the WWE Championship. That is exactly what he did on Sunday when he beat Reigns.
During the post-WrestleMania press conference, Cody Rhodes was asked why he thinks his story has resonated with wrestling fans. He revealed it was simply because his story is relatable.
“I think sometimes it feels like it is a father-son story. Which is just something, father-daughter, father-son, that a lot of people can see and relate to, but then if I’m truly being honest. I think it’s a story of as much as I had the legacy and I had the last name, I wasn’t born with all the tools. My brother [Goldust] is 6’4”. Do you know how p***ed off I was when I stopped growing?
“My dad and my sister just had all of this charisma, and I think people resonate; that works for them. You can make it to the main event, you can make it to being THE main event. I always wanted to be a winning franchise if that makes any sense, and at my age and where I’m at in my career, I know that’s not been the story, but I’m very proud of what the story has become … because it’s real.”
H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription
Cody Finished The Story
On Sunday, Cody did something his father, Dusty, and his brother, Goldust, were never able to accomplish. He stepped into the ring with Reigns and against all odds he came out on top and is the new Undisputed WWE Universal Champion.
Cody believes that the reason fans have been drawn to him and his story is because it isn’t a far-fetched story. It is a very real story about living up to your potential, overcoming the obstacles placed before us, and not giving up. These are themes that every single person has dealt with.
Cody acknowledged that, eventually, his story became bigger than him. The need to finish the story then became even more necessary. Even if he didn’t believe anymore, the fans did and that was enough motivation for him.
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Now that Cody is champion he was asked if he felt like he had anything left to give and if he felt like he had anything left to accomplish. He said one of his biggest fears was what would happen next if he won. Those fears went away at a very particular moment during the match.
“I can tell you the moment Charles Robinson hit three, I knew I had everything left to give still. I have a whole ‘nother level.”
H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription
The Rock was right about Cody Crybabies because there was not a dry eye in the house after he won. All the Superstars were crying and even Michael Cole was crying. Everyone is so proud of Cody and what he has been able to accomplish. However, the person who is probably the proudest of him, unfortunately, isn’t around to tell him so, his father Dusty Rhodes. Cody was asked what he would say to his father after his big win. His response was nothing short of emotional. Cody continued:
“If I’m being honest, I think I would want to say to him that I hope I lived up to your name. Then, thank you for that name. Then, I would say sorry about the tattoo.”
H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription
Cody Rhodes has a huge target on his back now. In the past men have come after Reigns and were beaten to a pulp. It took very brave men to challenge him and even braver men to challenge him twice. Reigns was the most intimidating man in WWE. However, Cody is not. Many will step up and test the new champion. However, Cody has beaten Brock Lesnar and now Reigns. He is not an easy target and his first challenger will see that.
Why do you think fans connected with Cody Rhodes’ story so well? Do you think Cody should have won the championship last year as opposed to this year? Who would you like to see him feud with next? Let us know on social media when was the last time wrestling made you want to cry.
SOURCE: WrestleMania press conference, Wrestling Inc.
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