Ahead of the WWE Elimination Chamber 2026 event, former WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes appeared on Mostly Sports With Mark Titus and Brandon Walker to discuss his wrestling career and upcoming matches. During the conversation, Rhodes was asked about AJ Styles, the recently retired WWE Champion who was announced as this year’s WWE Hall of Fame inductee by The Undertaker on WWE Raw.
Rhodes expressed deep respect for Styles, emphasizing his influence on professional wrestling and his exceptional athleticism. He highlighted Styles’ transformative role in the sport, particularly during his tenure with TNA and his multiple runs after returning to WWE. Rhodes described Styles as arguably the strongest competitor in wrestling, praising his high level of skill and the way he changed the game.
I actually can make a little bit of uh this morning I started thinking about — this is about AJ — but started thinking about Je’Von [Evans] and what he does in the ring and I started thinking about it because I was talking about AJ as well and at the time when AJ broke in especially throughout that TNA run and everything he was doing him [Frankie] Kazarian, Christopher Daniels, so good to see Kazarian by the way at that that’s just a great energy. He changed the way we do pro wrestling, and he also showed people what you can do. I felt like when he came back in Orlando for the Royal Rumble, he could have retired around that period of time, and he had an entire two or three runs and pound-for-pound, if we’re talking about the measuring contest and these things like that, pound-for-pound, that guy might be the strongest guy in wrestling. I mean, genuinely a super athlete, which is why I’ve been thinking about Je’Von a lot, too, because he’s changing the nature of how these things go, and he’s in there with guys who don’t wrestle like him. Will we adjust? Will he adjust? How’s it going to go? But I’m uh very happy for AJ. He was genuinely surprised. I love what we’re doing with the Undertaker as being NFL style. I just want him busting into people’s homes now, telling them they’re going to the Hall of Fame.
— Cody Rhodes, Wrestler
Plans and Possibilities for a Physical WWE Hall of Fame
During the discussion, Rhodes also touched on the idea of WWE establishing a permanent physical Hall of Fame museum. He shared insights from his podcast conversations and acknowledged that WWE has a wealth of memorabilia and creative material worthy of a dedicated exhibit. Rhodes mentioned items like Pat Patterson’s booking journal as examples of valuable historical artifacts that could be featured.
He indicated that conversations about such a venue have taken place, with various locations under consideration, including Orlando, Las Vegas, and WWE’s TKO offices. Rhodes suggested that a rotating exhibit could showcase different pieces of wrestling history, noting the existing WWE experience in Saudi Arabia as an example of a current-style hall of fame setting.
The podcast that I do, we do it at HQ. I definitely know there’s enough not just to have a Hall of Fame, but a rotating Hall of Fame. Things in and out, whole exhibits in that nature. And there’s gold just laying there. Pat Patterson’s booking journal laying there. … It’s that creative services stuff is just thrown about in there. And Ben [Brown] does a great job, but I know Ben has told me it’s coming so fast. That he’s trying to figure out what to do. I hope a physical hall of fame is something in the future. Maybe Vegas. Yeah. The TKO offices, who knows? I’m not saying anything because I think it was pitched for Orlando one time. Maybe not. That’s a great spot for it from the tourist aspect of it. But you know, you went to the Nitro Grill, probably, right? You went to WWE New York. [Brandon Walker says, ‘Well, that’s you calling me old as well.’] No, no. I went when I was a kid at the Nitro Grill. Sometimes when you get out there and get outside of the squared circle itself, not everyone’s — Have you ever been to the experience in Saudi Arabia? That is essentially a current hall of fame. It’s beautiful.
— Cody Rhodes, Wrestler
AJ Styles’ Upcoming Hall of Fame Ceremony
AJ Styles is set to be officially inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame during WrestleMania Week this April. His induction recognizes his significant impact on wrestling, highlighted by his multiple championship runs and his lasting legacy within the WWE and broader wrestling community. With vocal support from peers like Cody Rhodes and a tribute from The Undertaker, Styles’ inclusion in the Hall of Fame underscores his status as one of the most influential and skilled competitors in recent wrestling history.
