During a recent episode of his Hall of Fame podcast, WWE legend Booker T shared his thoughts on Cody Rhodes, known as The American Nightmare, capturing the 2025 King of the Ring tournament. Booker T highlighted the significance of Cody Rhodes King of the Ring achievement, recognizing it as a prestigious honor in professional wrestling.
The Legacy of WWE Kings and What Cody Rhodes Brings
Booker T placed Cody among a distinguished list of past tournament winners who have embraced the “king” persona in different ways. He mentioned several former titleholders such as Xavier, GUNTHER, King Barrett, King Regal, and Sheamus, noting that each brought unique qualities to their reigns. While some king runs offered compelling entertainment, Booker T expressed curiosity about how Cody will carve his own path with the crown.
The Challenge and Importance of the King Role
Booker T emphasized the complexity of portraying a wrestling king effectively. He explained that the role demands a delicate balance between ruling firmly and still engaging fans beyond just wearing the crown. According to him, mastering this balance is a difficult task, and he is eager to see how Cody embodies the persona.
“I want to see how Cody approaches this role. Because it’s a very, very delicate, very delicate role. It’s a balancing act to be able to go out there and be king and rule with an iron fist, and still give the people something more than just that. It’s a very, very hard balancing act. So I want to see how well Cody goes out there and plays this role. Is he gonna wear the crown? Is he gonna wear the crown proudly, like I did? That’s what I want to see. I want to see how this thing plays out.”
—Booker T, WWE Hall of Famer
Anticipating the Impact of Cody Rhodes’ Reign
The 2025 King of the Ring title places Cody Rhodes in a spotlight with a historic legacy to uphold. Booker T’s reflections suggest that the coming months will be crucial for Cody to define his reign and influence within WWE. The way he handles the pressures and expectations could shape his career and set a new standard for future champions.
