Ricky Saints, a former AEW star, recently addressed the backlash he has faced for his close friendship with Cody Rhodes. Saints openly spoke about his support for The American Nightmare, emphasizing his refusal to let their relationship be used against him. This statement comes following his AEW debut against Rhodes and their growing bond since then.
Saints, also known as The Absolute, has maintained a supportive presence for Rhodes even after the latter’s return to WWE. He accompanied Rhodes backstage at WWE events several times and was present when Rhodes captured the Undisputed WWE Championship from Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40. Despite this close association, Saints noticed a downturn in his AEW bookings, sparking speculation that his support for Rhodes may have caused professional difficulties.
On the latest episode of Cody Rhodes’ podcast, What Do You Wanna Talk About?, Saints rejected the idea that he faced consequences for backing Rhodes. He expressed conviction about loyalty and friendship, insisting he would never allow those bonds to be twisted into a liability.
“I will never let somebody weaponize a friendship against me. If you take that whole situation out of its element and you show someone, ‘Hey, this guy got in trouble—so to speak—for being at his friend’s biggest moment of his career,’ what do you think of that? That’s a beautiful thing. Why should I ever get in trouble? Even to this day, I will ride for somebody—because that’s just in my nature.” —Ricky Saints
Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton Deliver a Fan-Driven Masterclass at Night of Champions
At the 2025 King of the Ring Tournament Final during Night of Champions, Cody Rhodes faced off against his longtime mentor Randy Orton in a highly anticipated match. Rhodes ultimately secured the victory, reinforcing his status as a top contender. The bout drew praise for its adaptability and the energy fed by the audience’s enthusiasm.
Veteran wrestling commentator Dutch Mantell, speaking on Sportskeeda’s The Wrestling Time Machine, highlighted how Rhodes and Orton perfectly synced their performance with the crowd’s responses. This ability to engage and shift the pacing according to fan reactions elevated the match’s quality significantly.
“The match between Cody and Orton was a class in how to do it,” Mantell said. “They timed it right, and what I noticed about it, of course, those fans are rabid. They are loud. And that meant they had to do less. What made that match better than what it was was the fans.” —Dutch Mantell
Looking ahead, many are watching closely to see if Rhodes can capture the Undisputed WWE Championship from John Cena at the upcoming SummerSlam event, potentially marking another career-defining moment for The American Nightmare.
The Ongoing Impact of Loyalty and Performance in Pro Wrestling
The unwavering friendship between Ricky Saints and Cody Rhodes reflects an often underappreciated aspect of professional wrestling beyond the ring. Saints’ determination not to let his support become a source of conflict underscores the personal bonds that influence careers in this competitive industry. Meanwhile, Rhodes’ continued success and resilience, bolstered by high-profile wins and mentor matches, solidify his impact on the sport.
This dynamic illustrates how personal relationships and fan engagement intertwine to shape the landscape of wrestling today, signaling that loyalty and adaptability remain crucial for careers to thrive amid intense scrutiny and shifting backstage politics.
