Cody Rhodes lauded Cena and referred to him as the ideal role model and Cena's advice from earlier in his career had been invaluable.
Follow Us
Following his time in AEW as “The American Nightmare,” Cody Rhodes is well-versed in the responsibilities of being a standard bearer and a role model. In an interview with Robbie Fox for “My Mom’s Basement,” Rhodes discussed an athlete who has earned the reputation of being the ultimate role model — John Cena. Rhodes was asked if he felt the pressure to become a locker room leader like the 16-time World Champion.
When Robbie Fox questioned Rhodes about whether he experiences stress to be the locker room leader on My Mom’s Basement, Fox used John Cena as an example. Rhodes lauded Cena and referred to him as the ideal role model. He added that Cena’s advice from earlier in his career had been invaluable, but he declared that his preferred approach was to set an example for others.
“John’s the ultimate role model as far as how he conducted himself. Whether it was with the media, with the fans — the good fans, the more unruly fans, everything. He is the ultimate role model. And before he became a bus guy, I got to drive him around a little bit. He was just talking, but I was in my mind, just writing everything down that he was saying. He was really invaluable as a person to be around.”
The 2023 Royal Rumble champion then described his plan for playing the part. “But I think if you try to copy what he did … everyone’s got to do it their own way. And I think my style of — if I ever was to be somebody that was a locker room leader — would just be to lead by example. I know because my time in management and being an executive, as beneficial as that was to me and as educational as it was to me, sometimes it’s easier to lead by example.”
Rhodes developed within the WWE system and enjoyed success during his tenure there; he won the Intercontinental Title and repeatedly held the tag team titles. He collaborated with John Cena on multiple occasions during his first stint, especially when “The Viper” was standing by Cena’s side as the two battled Randy Orton. Prior to helping to launch All Elite Wrestling in 2019, Rhodes fought internationally after leaving the organisation in 2016. Before his resignation in February 2022, he was probably the company’s face and had won the TNT Championship three times.
At WrestleMania 38, Rhodes made a comeback to WWE and engaged in a conflict with Seth Rollins. Despite Rhodes being out of action in June due to an injured pectoral muscle, he returned at the WWE Royal Rumble 2023 and won the men’s battle royal to get a spot at WrestleMania 39.
Rhodes served as an executive vice president in addition to being a big event artist throughout his time with AEW. He ultimately made the decision to escape that circumstance and join the WWE in 2022, making his comeback at WrestleMania 38.
