“The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes made a surprise appearance over the weekend, not inside a WWE ring, but within a star-studded television commercial promoting the highly anticipated return of the NBA to NBC and Peacock networks (scroll down on this page to see the commercial). Rhodes features as one of many recognizable faces in a new promotional spot centered around the iconic “Roundball Rock” theme song, signaling the network’s major push for its renewed basketball coverage starting this fall.
This cameo comes at a time when Rhodes has been conspicuously absent from WWE programming. His last appearance was at the conclusion of WrestleMania 41 Night 2 on April 20th, 2025, where he lost the Undisputed WWE Championship to John Cena in a historic main event, following controversial interference from music superstar Travis Scott. Rhodes was seen leaving the arena immediately after the loss and has not appeared on Monday Night Raw or Friday Night SmackDown since.
Rhodes’ time away from WWE television appears to be a planned break following his lengthy championship reign and the demanding road to WrestleMania. Reports indicate that he was intentionally left off promotional materials for SmackDown episodes immediately following the event and is not advertised for the go-home show before the upcoming Backlash Premium Live Event on May 10th. However, WWE is currently advertising Rhodes for the May 16th episode of SmackDown in Greensboro, North Carolina, suggesting his return is imminent following Backlash weekend. During his time off, he was reportedly spotted spending time with his family.
The new NBC commercial leverages the nostalgia of the beloved “Roundball Rock” theme, composed by John Tesh, which served as the soundtrack for the popular NBA on NBC broadcasts from 1990 to 2002. The ad playfully suggests the catchy tune is stuck in everyone’s head, showing quick cuts of various personalities humming or reacting to it. Rhodes appears briefly in this montage alongside current NBA stars like Luka Dončić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, music icon Michael Bublé, comedian Tracy Morgan, judges from America’s Got Talent, and even animated characters like the Minions.
Cody Rhodes’ inclusion in the high-profile campaign underscores his significant mainstream recognition and his value as a cross-promotional asset, even while taking time away from WWE television. It also highlights his existing relationship with the NBCUniversal family, as WWE programming streams on Peacock in the US, and Rhodes himself previously main evented a WWE special, Saturday Night’s Main Event, broadcast on NBC in December 2024. His appearance helps bridge the worlds of sports entertainment and major league sports as NBC prepares to re-enter the NBA broadcasting landscape after more than two decades.
The return of the NBA to NBC, accompanied by its unforgettable theme music, marks a significant moment in sports broadcasting. The original NBA on NBC era is fondly remembered by fans for covering iconic moments, including the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls dynasty. By featuring current, popular figures like Cody Rhodes in its launch campaign alongside basketball superstars, NBC aims to capture both nostalgia and new audience excitement for its upcoming coverage beginning in the fall of 2025. Scroll down to see the commercial.
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