Speaking on Insight With Chris Van Vliet, Cody Rhodes discussed the physical aftermath of his encounter with The Rock, John Cena, and Travis Scott at WWE Elimination Chamber 2025. Following his refusal of The Rock’s offer, Rhodes was subjected to an assault that saw Cena turn heel and align with “The Final Boss.” During the segment, Scott assisted in holding Rhodes down and delivered a slap that many fans believed caused legitimate injury.
Rhodes clarified that while the slap from Scott looked like it hurt and contributed to the black eye and damaged eardrum he suffered during the collective beatdown, it was not the most painful strike of his career.
Travis Scott made sure to FaceTime Cody Rhodes after THAT slap at Elimination Chamber 😂
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Rhodes Lists The Hardest Slaps Of His Career
The Undisputed WWE Champion provided a ranking of the three hardest slaps he has ever received in a wrestling ring. He placed Travis Scott at number three, noting that while the slap was significant, it did not compare to the strikes he received from seasoned wrestling veterans. Rhodes recalled a moment in London where Hardcore Holly slapped him with enough force to potentially knock a man out.
Rhodes revealed that the top spot on his list belongs to Natalya Neidhart. He described the impact as feeling like an MLB batter swinging a bat, noting that the force was so great he felt it in both of his heels. Rhodes admitted he “walked into” the slap, which leveled him and remains the definitive benchmark for physical impact in his career.
“Travis Scott did not hurt me. It looks like he hurt me. I took a photo with Travis Scott at the OBB studio event, and I never saw that photo. I like Travis Scott. I think it’s safe to say at this point, I like Travis Scott. I like that he lended us his time and that we had moments with him. I mean, he took a Cross Rhodes. Most people just remember the slap, and I’m going to be on this side of history with it. I know it wasn’t everyone’s favorite thing. That is not the hardest I’ve ever been slapped. That’s number three. That’s number three. I’ll give you the list of slaps. Number two, Bob Holly in London. He says, ‘Fire up out there, kid.’ I don’t want to say something nefarious that gets anyone in trouble. I think someone told him to try and knock me out, because the way he slapped me was trying to knock a man out, it didn’t. I have a decent little jaw. So I took said slap. The number one might shock you, but I felt it in both of my heels. I felt it in my feet. I had to plant my feet. It was so hard. Nattie Neidhart hit me. It felt like an MLB batter swinging the bat, and I walked into it. She leveled me. So Nattie is one, Hardcore Holly two, Travis Scott, I’d say maybe three,” Rhodes said.
Cody Rhodes ultimately lost the Undisputed WWE Championship to John Cena at WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas after Travis Scott interfered by pulling the referee out of the ring. This allowed Cena to capitalize with a low blow and a title belt shot to secure his record-breaking 17th world championship. During the match, Rhodes was able to get a measure of revenge by hitting Scott with a Cross Rhodes, and the rapper has not appeared on WWE television since the event.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit Insight With Chris Van Vliet with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription. Fans can check out the full interview on the Insight With Chris Van Vliet YouTube channel or on all major podcast platforms.
