During the February 6 episode of WWE SmackDown, Cody Rhodes sparked controversy when he referred to himself as “Raheem” in a promo about a competitive exchange involving Roman Reigns and CM Punk. The remark drew mixed reactions online, with some fans appreciating the humor, while others criticized Rhodes for seemingly invoking Black stereotypes. Rhodes expressed hope that no one was offended by his choice of words, emphasizing his intent was to inject lightheartedness amid ongoing tensions.
Assessing the Reaction and Rhodes’ Explanation for the Promo
Rhodes addressed the situation during an interview on Under the Hood with J-Hood, revealing he consulted his wife Brandi before delivering the line, and she encouraged him to proceed. He explained that his goal was to respond playfully to the rivalry between Reigns and Punk, neither of which involves him directly, as both are engaged in a WrestleMania feud. Rhodes aimed to keep the tone from escalating and bring some levity to the segment.
“I had told [Brandi] that I might say it, and I felt bad because I told her, and then she said, ‘Oh, you have to say it. It’s funny.’ I didn’t want to come at Roman or Punk in an adversarial way,”
Rhodes said.
“I’m not wrestling either of you. You guys are wrestling each other, and it’s awesome. I feel that those things will come. I wanted to come at it with a little bit of levity, because I knew others were going to come at it from a different perspective. And I thought that was funny. But then I felt bad because I don’t ever want anybody to get married to a line. Like, ‘Oh, well, if I can’t say that.’ You know?”
“I did my field testing of it, and I hope I didn’t offend anybody with it. I very much stood by it. And when you see [anonymous people on social media with] Manchester United in the bio and an anime picture as the avatar complaining about it, I’ve got to ask, like, what are we really complaining about here? This is more of a positive joke than there could ever be about gifted men. Yeah, I can’t really be mad at that and I can’t really walk that one back. But also that was my entire, I knew — I said I’m not going to spend my road to WrestleMania talking about two other guys. This is where it ends for me. And I picked a great place to do it. Charlotte, North Carolina was the place. So, yes, I said it. And that’s where I’m at.”
Rhodes added.
Context of Rhodes’ Promos and Wrestling Storylines Leading to WrestleMania 42
Cody Rhodes’ recent promo is not the first time he has touched on sensitive topics in wrestling. When feuding with Anthony Ogogo in AEW, Rhodes addressed issues related to race relations in the United States, which led to both serious and humorous reactions from fans online. Rhodes has expressed how meaningful it is for him and his family to receive support from the Black community within the wrestling fan base.
Looking ahead, the WrestleMania 42 card features the World Heavyweight Championship match, with CM Punk scheduled to defend his title against Roman Reigns—should Punk first retain against Finn Balor at the Elimination Chamber event. Meanwhile, Rhodes must compete in the men’s Elimination Chamber match, where a victory would earn him a WWE Championship shot against Drew McIntyre, setting the stage for potential high-stakes encounters at WrestleMania.
The Broader Implications of Rhodes’ Remarks and Its Reception
The “Raheem” controversy highlights ongoing sensitivities around cultural references in professional wrestling promos. Rhodes’ attempt to add humor and perspective to a heated rivalry illustrates the challenges performers face when balancing entertainment with respect toward diverse audiences. His response reflects an awareness of that tension, acknowledging the divided reactions while standing by his words.
As the road to WrestleMania continues, the fallout from Rhodes’ promo may influence how wrestlers approach their character work, especially in promos touching on identity and cultural connotations. With Rhodes vowing to end his commentary on the Reigns-Punk feud, attention now shifts to his own title aspirations, where success in the Elimination Chamber could propel him into the spotlight against Drew McIntyre.
