Cody Rhodes, who debuted in WWE in 2007, recently opened up about difficulties he encountered while carrying Layla’s portion of the WWE Women’s Championship belt. The split title, shared between Layla and Michelle McCool in 2010, caused complications at airport security checkpoints due to its unusual appearance. Rhodes explained the situation during his conversation on the Six Feet Under podcast with The Undertaker, revealing he personally carried the belt instead of handing it over to WWE staff, leading to multiple TSA inspections.
During the podcast, The American Nightmare described how the physical nature of the half-belt raised questions. He said,
“Because at the time I was dating Layla. But speaking of titles, so you guys saw the belt in half, correct? Okay. So I often brought the belt to the TV because someone would forget the belt. I often brought it (…) I would have it in my bag. And one title going through TSA is something where it’s a big chunk of metal. Another one that looks like a hatchet,”
from Six Feet Under (H/T Sportskeeda).
Rhodes expressed frustration over the repeated inquiries, once jokingly telling officials he merely collected championship belts. Michelle McCool later apologized for the complications caused by the title’s division. Rhodes’s anecdote offers insight into the behind-the-scenes challenges of carrying wrestling memorabilia, especially unconventional items like a split championship.
Upcoming Elimination Chamber Match Presents Major Opportunity for Rhodes
This Friday on SmackDown, Cody Rhodes will compete in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match, aiming to secure a spot at WrestleMania 42. His goal is to challenge Drew McIntyre for the Undisputed WWE Championship and headline the major event once again. The match features a Triple Threat showdown against Sami Zayn and Jacob Fatu, providing Rhodes a chance to simultaneously advance his title aspirations and settle ongoing rivalries.
If victorious, Rhodes will not only move closer to a world title opportunity but also mark his first appearance inside the Elimination Chamber since 2012. This match is viewed as a significant step for Rhodes to regain momentum on the road to one of WWE’s biggest annual events.
Potential Impact of Rhodes’s Match on His WWE Career Trajectory
Winning the qualifying match could reignite Rhodes’s main-event status at WrestleMania and further establish his pursuit of the championship gold. The bout’s outcome will influence his positioning within the WWE landscape and his ongoing storylines involving Drew McIntyre, Sami Zayn, and Jacob Fatu. Fans and analysts alike are watching closely, as this may represent a pivotal moment in Rhodes’s career progression.
