The long-running WWE feud between Cody Rhodes and R-Truth came to an unexpected and heartfelt end during a flight departing Saudi Arabia. Known for his candidness, Cody Rhodes shared the story of how he chose to settle the rivalry on a quiet, late-night charter plane ride, marking a surprising yet meaningful closure to their ongoing conflict.
The Backstory of Cody Rhodes and R-Truth’s Feud
Rhodes has openly expressed strong feelings toward R-Truth, describing him as one of the opponents he disliked most during his WWE career. On a previous interview with Peter Rosenberg, Cody admitted that R-Truth had defeated him nearly 42 times while he wrestled as Stardust. This prolonged record of losses fueled a sense of grudging frustration that turned into a recurring storyline in his WWE appearances.
Rhodes also recalled how early on, R-Truth had disrupted his character transformation by damaging his jacket during his “Dashing” Cody Rhodes phase. His frustration culminated in a playful but pointed declaration made when he returned to WWE in 2022: this time, Cody planned for R-Truth to be the one “looking up at the lights,” implying the tables had turned and that he intended to overcome his rival.
Details of the Feud’s Resolution During the Flight
During a SummerSlam Kickoff Party event, fans prompted Cody to recount how the feud finally ended. He described taking an “old school” approach to liven up the atmosphere on the plane, despite most passengers being tired or preoccupied. What began as a noisy effort to energize the flight turned into a memorable moment between the two wrestlers.
“I wanted that plane rockin’,’’ Cody continued. Everyone’s sleeping and playing their Switch, Gen-Z’s all hood up, you know — nah, I wanted to make some noise… I made too much noise, so I had to be helped to the front of the plane. And it was R-Truth who did it. I looked up at him and I said, ‘The debt has been paid.’ And then I fell asleep in the most awkward, Peter Griffin-like position ever. So, it’s over.”
—Cody Rhodes
This moment symbolized a genuine reconciliation between Rhodes and R-Truth, with Cody acknowledging the rivalry’s end in a candid and humorous way, showing a lighter side to their history.
Cody Rhodes Reflects on Ending the Rivalry and Future Possibilities
While Rhodes suggested that there may not be much left to the story, he hinted that wrestling narratives are often fluid and that the feud could potentially be revisited. He raised the idea of turning heel, or becoming a villainous character, as a way to reignite competition with R-Truth, who remains a beloved figure among fans.
“The story — I can’t touch him. Also he’s beloved, so it’s like, what do we do? Do we turn heel so we can wrestle R-Truth?”
—Cody Rhodes
By concluding the feud in such an unorthodox way, Cody Rhodes brought closure to a chapter that had lingered in WWE circles, while leaving the door open for future developments. This moment also highlights how personal dynamics and storytelling continue to play a vital role in WWE’s entertainment landscape, particularly for fan-favorite rivalries.
