Cody Rhodes shared insights into how John Cena shaped his wrestling journey, explaining that he gained critical lessons simply by driving Cena around during his early days in WWE. Although Cena rarely offered direct advice, Rhodes observed his behavior closely, recognizing these moments as valuable learning opportunities.
On the podcast Six Feet Under with The Undertaker, Rhodes recounted his experiences as Cena’s chauffeur, describing the subtle ways Cena led by example as a 16-time World Champion.
Lessons Absorbed Through Observation and Interaction
Rhodes recalled a striking interaction during a promo where Cena pointed out a mistake Rhodes made after trying to imitate Cena’s approach without fully understanding the nuances. This confrontation led Rhodes to a deeper comprehension of Cena’s philosophy regarding how to embody a virtuous character in wrestling, which he eventually adopted as a guiding principle.
He was teaching without teaching. Just just, you know, he, he’d sit there and I’d hear him talk to Joe Hickey and get the numbers. And then in my mind, I’m thinking, all right, I got to talk to Joe Hickey. Oh, I didn’t do any of this stuff till I came back and. And he said something to me in a promo that came out of nowhere. He goes, ‘You took the playbook and you did it wrong.’ And again, we’re like having this contentious moment in a promo. But I thought, like, he ain’t lying on the took the playbook part, right? I took everything I saw him do, and I tried to apply it as the moment I left here, which didn’t take right away, but once I got in the infrastructure here, his general guideline for being a virtuous babyface or whatever. I thought man virtuous, right? And I thought, this is a good line to follow.
?Cody Rhodes, Wrestler
The Significance of Earning Cena’s Recognition
Rhodes expressed how meaningful it was for him to stand opposite Cena in the ring following his return, seeing it as an opportunity to prove his growth and earn Cena’s acknowledgment. This moment carried great weight for Rhodes, highlighting the importance of gaining respect from a mentor he once admired from a distance.
So the fact that I got to stand across from him, and I got him to see me, that was huge for me. I need you to see me. Great. I’m your little understudy, and I wanted to be like you all that, but now I need you to see me. And I thought, he won’t. Wrestling is far more real than people think, right? Yeah, he won’t until we get it done, right, until we have that Summer Slam match. And I thought, Oh, I’m glad I did not the first thing I think it was like, I didn’t blow the stuff you taught, like I didn’t screw it up, right? I’ll screw it up at some but I didn’t screw it up with you, and that was just a huge honor to be a part of.
?Cody Rhodes, Wrestler
Impact of Cena’s Mentorship and What Lies Ahead
The lessons John Cena imparted, often without direct instruction, have deeply influenced Cody Rhodes’ approach to wrestling, character work, and professionalism. Rhodes’ respect for Cena’s mentorship underlines the blend of patience and learning necessary to succeed in WWE’s demanding environment. As Rhodes continues to evolve in his career, the foundation built through these lessons is likely to remain a significant influence on his future performances and legacy within the wrestling world.
