On the January 28, 2026 episode of Six Feet Under, Cody Rhodes shared the story of what he describes as the worst night of his life, a humiliating experience at the WrestleMania afterparty that spiraled out of control. The event, which took place backstage at WrestleMania, involved an unexpected bodybuilding contest that left Cody deeply frustrated and embarrassed.
The incident began during a European tour when Cody and fellow wrestler Santino Marella were jokingly teasing each other about their physiques. Cody’s light-hearted ribbing about Santino being out of shape soon caught the attention of John Cena and JBL, who escalated the banter into a full segment for the afterparty.
Locker Room Banter Turns Into an Unplanned Competition
Cody emphasized that his teasing was never meant to be malicious, explaining his respect for Santino’s wrestling skills and comedic talent.
“People forget: Santino was a shooter. Yeah. Judo. Full-blown judo shooter who ended up being absolutely stellar comedy—hilarious, I mean, show-stealer…”
Once John Cena and JBL got involved, what was initially a joke transformed into a pitch for a bodybuilding contest at the WrestleMania afterparty. Cody was caught off guard as the playful shtick began to take on a life of its own, especially after John Cena produced custom T-shirts for the event.
“Then we’re going back and forth, and then Cena and JBL got ahold of it and then it became, ‘Well, why don’t you guys have this bodybuilding competition?’ The whole time this is going on, I’m not thinking I’m the heel… It wasn’t until Cena made the T-shirts… It was the Mega Powers shirts, but I was Savage, and I thought, ‘Ah… uh… ah, shit—like, I’m the bad guy?’”
Surprise Bodybuilding Contest Takes Center Stage
Leading up to WrestleMania weekend, Cody did not expect the bodybuilding theme—dubbed MuscleMania—to actually materialize. He wore a Speedo under his suit just in case the gimmick came to fruition. His instincts proved correct when referee John Cone summoned him to the ballroom, where Triple H was announcing the event on stage.
“Then John Cone comes in the room and he’s like, ‘Hey, they’re calling you out there.’ Okay. I walk back into the ballroom and it’s you who’s on the microphone going, ‘Cody, Cody.’ To walk people through what happened: Hunter and UPA—a bodybuilding contest at the WrestleMania after party—and I am in my Speedo.”
The audience comprised WWE superstars, staff, and even Cody’s own parents, adding pressure to the already uncomfortable situation. Unlike Cody’s minimalist attire, Santino Marella arrived fully prepared in professional posing trunks, intensifying the competitive atmosphere.
“Santino’s not even in a Speedo. He’s in full posing trunks—like essentially a thong—full glutes shown, everything. And you’re calling the poses and making little side commentary… And my parents are there. This is great.”
Kid Rock’s Frustration and Unexpected Reactions
The afterparty’s originally scheduled main act, Kid Rock, was displaced to make room for the bodybuilding contest, which visibly angered him. His reaction was blunt and politically incorrect, adding to the tension as the party atmosphere shifted dramatically.
“You kicked Kid Rock off the stage. He was hot, didn’t he? He got hot. He did not want the naked muscle men on the stage. We ruined his vibe. He said something politically incorrect—I won’t repeat it—but he was pissed… Then not only that, the girl who was the singer for the band starts cutting a promo on me.”
Cody Faces Harsh Crowd Reaction Despite Effort
Although Cody did not originate the bodybuilding contest idea, he was the one who endured the brunt of the audience’s negative reaction. He tried to perform well by striking poses and participating fully, but the crowd remained hostile, booing him repeatedly despite his fit condition.
“I’m like, ‘Wait a minute—why am I getting all the heat? Paul’s the one who came and said, “Hey, we’re gonna do this thing,” right?’ We go on stage, we do the poses. I am booed every time. And I thought, I’m not in bad shape—but that’s not what this is about.”
The contest escalated into a performance battle between Cody and Santino. Santino impressed the crowd with a flawless Russian dance, while Cody’s attempt at a backflip off the stage ended awkwardly, earning even more boos.
“Santino does this Russian dance where you drop down and kick your feet—flawless. I do a backflip off the stage—not flawless. Again, I’m booed.”
Linda McMahon’s Gesture Marks a Low Point
The moment that truly broke Cody’s spirit came when Linda McMahon, a figure he respected greatly, was seated in the front row. Although she initially applauded his effort, her mood shifted as the crowd’s reaction turned sour, and she gave Cody a double thumbs down, signaling her disappointment.
“Linda McMahon is in the front row… She’s clapping for me, then she sees the room, and she literally gives me the double thumbs down. My stomach turned. That was the moment I knew this was the worst night of my life.”
Aftermath and Emotional Fallout
The contest ended with Santino declared the winner, receiving a massive seven-foot-tall trophy crafted by JBL, covered in figures from various sports. Back in his hotel room, Cody’s frustration overwhelmed him, leading to him kicking in and breaking his closet door in a moment of anger.
“Santino wins. He gets this giant trophy JBL commissioned—seven feet tall—with every sport you can imagine. It stayed in the green room. Then I went back to my hotel room, kicked my closet in, broke it, and had to figure out how to tell John Cone.”
A Silver Lining from Rey Mysterio
Despite the chaos and humiliation, one voice of encouragement stood out. Rey Mysterio offered Cody some well-needed support, acknowledging his willingness to go along with the unexpected ordeal for the good of the team.
“The only thing that made sense came from Rey Mysterio. He said, ‘Thanks for doing that for the boys.’ And I thought, ‘That’s why you’re Rey Mysterio.’”
The Lasting Impact of an Unseen WWE Moment
This MuscleMania episode never aired on television, yet it remains one of the most tumultuous and eye-opening backstage stories in WWE history. For Cody Rhodes, it stands as a raw reminder that some of the toughest moments happen away from the spotlight, testing resilience and professionalism. His experience reveals the unpredictable nature of wrestling’s behind-the-scenes drama and the emotional toll it can take on performers.
Looking ahead, this story underscores the complexity of navigating WWE’s locker room politics and the pressures that come with being part of such a high-profile entertainment industry. Cody Rhodes’ story encourages reflection on how team dynamics and unexpected events can dramatically affect even the most seasoned performers.
