Cody Rhodes continued his unrelenting pursuit of greatness yesterday, defeating Damian Priest in the co-main event of WWE’s Crown Jewel premium live event.
The 11-minute bout highlighted the excitement Rhodes brings every time he steps into the ring. As the number-one babyface in all of wrestling, which is an extraordinarily complicated task in 2023, Rhodes’ commitment to the craft is unquestioned.
After wrestling in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, Rhodes is already back stateside, preparing for tomorrow night’s Monday Night Raw in Pennsylvania.
“I wouldn’t miss it,” said Rhodes. “I was the first pick in the draft for Raw. I think the long-time wrestling fan is loyal and always watching, but if you’re somebody who fell out and are hearing about this wild golden age we’ve entered, come find out what all the fuss is about.”
Unlike last year, when he missed a chunk of time on the injured list, the story of 2023 in WWE is Rhodes’ ascent to the top of the company. That has been visible every week on Raw, as well as at PLEs, the live events tour, merchandise sales, and through his nonstop charity work. Rhodes has become synonymous with WWE, making this return even more spectacular than he ever dreamed it would be.
“When you grow up wanting to play quarterback, you work for it and envision it, but experiencing it is almost out of body,” said Rhodes. “I’m very lucky. I’m a slow learner, but it feels like I have found clothes that fit: the American Nightmare’s clothes.”
After a surprising departure in 2016, Rhodes returned to WWE last year. He redefined himself during his time away from the company, proving in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Ring of Honor, and throughout the indies that he was a main-event talent.
As one of AEW’s founding fathers, Rhodes wrestled one of the most spectacular matches in the history of modern wrestling, defeating his brother Dustin Rhodes at the company’s first-ever pay-per-view–Double or Nothing–in 2019. That is a match that could have been part of WrestleMania, especially WrestleMania 31, yet WWE creative at the time chose otherwise.
Rhodes injected a liveliness into AEW during his time there, especially in the moments he shared the ring with Sting. A wrestling icon, and Rhodes’ longtime favorite, Sting recently announced he will end his career in March of 2024.
Though they work for different promotions, the two will always be intertwined. Rhodes shared that he is honored to have been a part of Sting’s final run, which is ongoing in AEW.
“The last match I was offered in AEW was that match,” said Rhodes. “It wasn’t confirmed or anything like that, but just the little I had to do with his debut there is a wonderful memory. I was a little Stinger. Maybe I’ll pull out a Stinger Splash in his honor. Seriously, cheers to a wonderful career.”
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Rhodes’ match at Crown Jewel against Priest was a very compelling victory. It included layers with Judgment Day interference, as well as support from enemy-turned-friend Jey Uso, who has added a whole new element to the story as a protagonist.
“Jey has been a superb teammate,” said Rhodes. “I need to ask him what inning we are in.”
The 6’7” Priest is an exceptional wrestler, especially considering the remarkable agility he possesses for someone his size. Even though they are constantly at odds in the ring, Rhodes did not hesitate to admit he respects Priest’s in-ring abilities.
“With big men, it’s always their ability–or lack of–to ‘do both’,” said Rhodes. “He has the height and reach and power, but he is also deadly quick. A rare breed. Don’t like him, but certainly respect him and his continued gains.”
Rhodes wrestled in the co-main event at Crown Jewel. Including the Sami Zayn-JD McDonagh, there were six matches and a Miz/Grayson Waller segment before Rhodes made his entrance. Yet the waiting was not all that difficult considering he was preparing to do what he loves.
“And I watched UGA secure a close game in the fourth,” said Rhodes, speaking about the number-one ranked Georgia Bulldogs, who defeated Missouri, 30-21, for their ninth straight victory. “Play like that inspires me. As a wrestler going on later in the night, your ability to ‘close’ and compel is the best responsibility to have.”
