During WWE’s 2023 Fastlane event, Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso achieved a surprising upset by defeating Damian Priest and Finn Balor from The Judgment Day to become the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions. After their milestone win, the wrestlers celebrated on their bus, where Rhodes revealed he was so intoxicated that he seriously considered marking the occasion with a Samoan tattoo. This idea came up during a candid post-show press conference where both admitted to drinking while celebrating.
In a recent episode of What Do You Wanna Talk About? With Cody Rhodes, Rhodes discussed how heavily influenced he was at that moment. So overwhelmed by the celebration, he even approached The Usos with the question of whether a white guy could get a Samoan tattoo, highlighting his connection to their culture and the victory they had just shared.
“Here’s a little confession. You may not remember this, but I was so teed up at the press conference. And I knew like, ‘Well, we’re in trouble tomorrow, or that was fun.’ And then the next day they ran the whole thing in its full. So I thought, ‘Okay, we’re good. Maybe people liked it. We’re good.’ But I don’t know if you remember how bad I was. This is how bad I was. This is rough, and it’s probably at a group thread with your brother. I wrote to you guys, ‘Do any white guys ever get a Samoan tattoo?’ I was ready.”
The gravity of his intoxication was apparent as he shared the confusion and impulse to embrace a permanent symbol to honor his bond with the Samoan wrestlers he fought alongside.
What Inspired Rhodes’ Tattoo Consideration Through Jey Uso’s Words
Cody Rhodes went on to explain that Jey Uso’s statement deeply moved him. Jey had mentioned he had never won a Tag Team Championship with anyone but his brother Jimmy Uso, which struck a chord with Rhodes, making him long for a brotherly connection with the Usos. The heartfelt moment inspired Rhodes to take the idea of a Samoan tattoo seriously in the heat of the celebration.
However, after cooling off and reflecting on the significance of such a tattoo, Rhodes reconsidered the potential cultural implications and appropriateness of a non-Samoan bearing that ink.
“When you said the thing about, I’ve never won a belt with anyone other than my brother. I was like, ‘Oh, dude, sir, I want to be his brother.’ I’m glad because you guys just laughed it off. And you’re like, ‘Yeah.’ And then I think somebody sent me a YouTube video. I was like, ‘Okay, that’s not, I gotcha. Yeah, that’s not.’”
This reflection demonstrated Rhodes’ respect for the cultural significance tied to the tattoo and his sensitivity toward the heritage it represents.
Context Surrounding the Tag Team Championship Celebration
The victory at Fastlane was a defining moment, ending Damian Priest and Finn Balor’s reign as Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions. Jey Uso’s collaboration with Cody Rhodes symbolized the bridging of two distinct wrestling backgrounds—The Bloodline’s Samoan legacy and Rhodes’ storied wrestling heritage as The American Nightmare.
Their bond and mutual respect were evident both in their performance and interactions, as celebrated by fans and critics alike. The playful yet meaningful post-show celebrations only added dimension to their partnership.
The Broader Significance and What Might Come Next
Cody Rhodes’ near decision to get a Samoan tattoo underscores the impact of his alliance with The Usos and the cultural connections forged through wrestling partnerships. While he ultimately chose against permanently marking himself with a Samoan design, the moment reflected how deeply the victory—and the relationships—it spawned affected him.
Their Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship reign could continue to generate memorable moments and reveal more about the evolving dynamics between Rhodes and The Bloodline faction, influencing storylines and future collaborations in WWE.
Rhodes’ candid reflections on culture, brotherhood, and championship glory provide fans with insight into the personal side of a wrestler often seen only through the lens of scripted competition.
