Cody Rhodes, the 2025 King of the Ring winner and top WWE star known as The American Nightmare, recently appeared on First We Feast’s Hot Ones to share his perspective on how outsiders often underestimate wrestling fans. Rhodes emphasized that WWE fans possess a level of sophistication frequently overlooked by critics.
Rhodes explained that many people outside the wrestling world fail to recognize the diversity and intelligence of wrestling audiences, which include both children and lifelong fans. He highlighted wrestling as a unique form of performance art that combines physicality and storytelling, engaging fans emotionally and intellectually. He said,
“Well, I actually think, so a lot of times fans outside our world might underestimate the intelligence of our audience. That’s kind of a low hanging fruit in terms of who watches sports entertainment? Who watches wrestling? And then I feel like it’s always a mistake because you’ll get out there and realize it’s such a wide variety. From the kids, you know I think I’m a bit of a kids act myself, but then there’s these people who’ve grown up with it and it’s this performance theater that is one of a kind. People might look down, a little bit down at our industry and think there’s nothing artistic about what we do. When really, I mean, gosh. We get to go out there and physically- I do something to you, you do something to me that makes them go up, makes them go down, that makes them upset, that makes them happy. And, as a no pun intended, a white meat babyface, as I am labeled, it can be some of the most fun ever and some of the biggest challenges. Because again the audience is sophisticated, as well as the performers.”
—Cody Rhodes, WWE Superstar
Memories of Dusty Rhodes Teaching Promo Skills in Unusual Ways
Rhodes recalled how Dusty Rhodes, his father, creatively coached him on cutting promos by using everyday supermarket items as metaphors. Dusty would encourage Rhodes to interact with objects like lettuce and tomatoes as if they had personalities or rivalries. Cody remembered,
“He’d be like hey look at that lettuce over there. Look at it looking at you. What are you gonna tell that lettuce? He never really put me on the spot. He’d just get into it. Oh yeah. Lettuce, over there by the tomato. And that’s why people like you. But they don’t like lettuce. He’d get into this whole thing, I’m like what? And you’d see other people like what is this man? But yeah, he’d always make the produce jealous of one another. My wife Miss Shelly told me I gotta come get the lettuce but I don’t want it. Yeah, it was a whole thing. If you can cut a promo on the produce section, he’d say you’d be pretty well off.”
—Cody Rhodes, WWE Superstar
Building the Ultimate Pro Wrestler: Rhodes’ Unconventional Choices
When asked about combining traits to create the perfect professional wrestler, Rhodes made a surprising selection by endorsing younger talent Austin Theory as a foundational choice. He acknowledged Theory’s physical appeal and teachability while noting areas needing improvement, such as mic skills and edge. Rhodes also cited legendary figures known for mastery over psychology and technical skill, saying he would blend influences like John Cena’s resilience and Paul Heyman’s sharp strategic mind.
Rhodes explained the importance of being mentally present in each moment, referencing how Heyman’s ability to judge, enjoy, and plan during promos sets a high standard. For wrestling technique, Rhodes named Bret Hart for his well-rounded offense, including strikes and finishing moves. On finishing moves, Rhodes chose between Stone Cold Steve Austin’s Stunner and Hulk Hogan’s leg drop as iconic touchstones. He stated,
“Look. I’m going to make a super controversial choice. People right now, you’re going to hear the collective groan of wrestling social media and the IWC. Look, I’m going with a young guy, Austin Theory. When you check the box of oh, he looks great, we could teach him. Mic skills, they need edge. Yeah, they need 8 Mile. They need you to bring it down. And you have to be sharper than that person. I’d probably say, a combination, and you can pick either or, of a John Cena, who will never allow someone to top him, or a Mr. Heyman. Because that’s a different level of thought. Everything you’re saying is mattering in this moment. He’s judging you. He’s also enjoying it. He’s also planning for you. By the time I’m done with this sentence, he’s got a path for me. And I’m either with him or against him. Technical wrestling, probably Bret Hart. It wasn’t just the moves. It was the punches, the forearms. The best finishing move. I’d say it’s probably a tossup between Stone Cold Stunner and Hogan’s leg drop.”
—Cody Rhodes, WWE Superstar
Reflecting on His WrestleMania 40 Performance
Rhodes considers his match against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40 among his finest performances. He reflected on the journey from being an outsider critical of the event to returning and earning a main spot, which he found deeply rewarding. He compared this accomplishment to watching legendary bouts like Sting versus Ric Flair at The Great American Bash and Bret Hart versus Mr. Perfect from SummerSlam, underscoring his respect for wrestling history.
He said,
“The first one we watch is Sting versus Ric Flair from The Great American Bash. And the second one is we watch Bret Hart versus Mr. Perfect from SummerSlam. Yeah, those two. I might say the WrestleMania 40, which I’m in. I went from being the guy who was away from there, trash talking it, started a whole ’nother thing and to come in, earn my place back and then them say hey, it’s all yours. Like literally, like how? How? Yeah, so it might be 40.”
—Cody Rhodes, WWE Superstar
Why Rhodes’ Views Matter for Wrestling’s Future
Cody Rhodes’ insights challenge stereotypes about sports entertainment audiences and highlight the complexity behind wrestling’s physical and theatrical demands. By acknowledging both the intelligence of fans and the diverse skill sets required from performers, Rhodes encourages greater appreciation for wrestling’s artistic merit. His reflections on mentorship, craft, and legacy suggest a commitment to evolving the industry while respecting its history.
As Rhodes continues to compete at high-profile events like WrestleMania and represent WWE in leadership roles, his perspective offers a compelling narrative that may influence how wrestling is perceived and received by broader audiences in the coming years.
