Cody Rhodes is poised to participate in an important WWE SmackDown match tonight, bringing the spotlight on his pursuit of the Undisputed WWE Championship. In the lead-up to this event, Rhodes made specific mention of the legendary Von Erich wrestling family, underscoring the significance of the location in Texas where the match is set to take place.
Rhodes, also known as the American Nightmare, has been driven ever since Jacob Fatu thwarted his attempt to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship several weeks ago. Before regaining the title, he must secure a win in tonight’s Elimination Chamber qualifying match against Jacob Fatu and Sami Zayn. Victory in this contest would grant him a chance to compete for the championship at WrestleMania 42.
Backstage Remarks Highlight Stakes and Location
Prior to the match, Cody Rhodes spoke with Cathy Kelley backstage, acknowledging the anticipation surrounding the upcoming confrontation between himself, Jacob Fatu, and Sami Zayn. He emphasized that the audience is eager to witness this high-stakes battle, noting that he is just two wins away from headlining WrestleMania.
Rhodes also reminded fans that this event is taking place in the heart of “Von Erich country” — Texas — a nod to the legendary wrestling family whose heritage remains influential in the region. Rhodes cautioned that betting against him on this turf would be unwise, hinting at the added motivation the location provides.
Cody Rhodes Discusses Maintaining His Hero Role
Despite calls for a change in his character, Rhodes continues to embrace his role as a hero, or babyface, a position he has held since his time in AEW. Fans have voiced desires to see him turn heel, but Cody has shown no inclination to switch personas, even after his recent title loss.
In an interview on Live with Kelly and Mark, Rhodes conveyed his enjoyment of being a babyface and the energy that comes from performing in that role.
“For a long time, there were a lot of anti-heroes… and just recently, it felt like WWE hit this stride with so much youth in the audience that it felt like babyfaces came back to life. Jey Uso, for example, is somebody that the kids go crazy for. Sami Zayn is out there doing it. And for me to be able to be in that spot, I don’t want to leave it. It’s so much fun,” said Rhodes. [H/T: WrestlePurists on X]
Outlook on Cody Rhodes’ Title Ambitions and WWE Future
As tonight’s match approaches, the wrestling world is watching closely to see if Cody Rhodes can overcome his rivals and return to the WWE title scene. The combination of his deep connection to Texas wrestling heritage and his determination to reclaim the championship creates high expectations for this contest and what lies ahead at WrestleMania 42.
See how Cody Rhodes did an interview with @catherinekelley and didn’t shout “MOVE” at her?? pic.twitter.com/glfd440bHm
— R O C K R E I G N S. (@IAmRockReigns) February 14, 2026
Cody Rhodes says he doesn’t want to leave his spot as a babyface:
“For a long time, there were a lot of anti-heroes… and just recently, it felt like WWE hit this stride with so much youth in the audience that it felt like babyfaces came back to life. Jey Uso, for example, is… pic.twitter.com/b6Zbulf1CO
— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) February 11, 2026
