Two-time Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes shared his thanks for a fellow WWE babyface who changed his life when it looked like his career may not have taken off. In 2010, the Legacy faction of Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Ted DiBiase split up after a year-long run together that had seen Orton reign as WWE Champion and Rhodes and DiBiase win the World Tag Team Championship. Upon their split, all three went their separate ways, with Rhodes going on to debut his “Dashing” gimmick.
In early 2011, Rhodes feuded with Rey Mysterio, which led to a match between the two at WWE WrestleMania 27. This was Rhodes’ first one-on-one match at the Premium Live Event. With Mysterio as the guest on the latest episode of Rhodes’ What Do You Wanna Talk About? podcast, Rhodes made sure to thank Mysterio for the experience and told the story of how Mysterio had a choice of opponents for WrestleMania and specifically chose to work with Rhodes.
“I was a fan, so I know what you did. Know what you continue to do, but you changed my life. I don’t get anywhere, dude. I had nothing coming my way. I’d lost Teddy and Randy. I wasn’t the one who was supposed to go. It wasn’t a knock on me, I just wasn’t the one who was supposed to go….I got to experience things at a different level and play ball at a higher level, and I would have never gotten out of the blocks. I would have never had anything,” an emotional Rhodes said.
Rhodes had to dry his eyes with a tissue as he explained that the opportunity served as a core moment in his professional journey. He noted that without Mysterio advocating for him, he may never have experienced the highs of his career. Rhodes has previously reflected on his 2022 return to the company as a “huge gamble,” but he credited this early interaction with Mysterio as the catalyst for his eventual rise to the top of the industry.
“I would’ve never had anything. I’m sure there’s someone in your career who had a moment with you where maybe you felt the same. But for me, it is legitimately a core moment. Nothing happens without me walking into that building and you being like, ‘You wanna go in?’ And the rest was history for me. And of course, there’s a myriad of highs and lows, but I would have never had a high. So I have to thank you,” Rhodes added.
The “American Nightmare” is currently working toward a potential title opportunity at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas. After losing the Undisputed WWE Title to Drew McIntyre in January 2026, Rhodes qualified for the men’s Elimination Chamber match. The winner of the February 28 bout will go on to challenge McIntyre for the championship on the grandest stage of them all.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit What Do You Wanna Talk About? with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
