Cody Rhodes addressed the live audience at Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia, immediately following the WWE SmackDown broadcast on September 12, 2025. He took a moment to express his gratitude to fans while highlighting the personal and professional milestones he achieved over the past month. Rhodes, known as “The American Nightmare,” delivered his message after the show aired on the USA Network and Netflix, underscoring the importance of the recent events in his life and career.
During his promo, Rhodes remarked on the significance of the previous weeks. He stated,
“Thank you guys so much, there’s more action tonight but before that happens I just wanna tell ya, it’s been a hell of a month for me,”
acknowledging the packed schedule and meaningful experiences. He then shared,
“I had a new baby girl, Lehlani, I got cast as Guile in Street Fighter, and tonight I got to come back home, thank you guys very much.”
—Cody Rhodes, WWE Superstar
Liv Morgan Celebrates Dominik Mysterio’s Dual Championship Achievement
Liv Morgan took to social media to praise Dominik Mysterio, who recently became a double champion by adding the AAA Mega Championship to his WWE Intercontinental Championship. This historic win took place during WWE’s Worlds Collide event in Las Vegas, Nevada, held jointly with the Mexican promotion AAA. Morgan referred to Mysterio affectionately and emphatically in her message on X, celebrating his remarkable accomplishments in the wrestling world.
She wrote,
“King of the Luchadors. Greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time. Greatest Mysterio of all time Your NEW AAA Mega Champion. Double Champ Dom. My Daddy Dom 😘.”
—Liv Morgan, WWE Superstar
WWE x AAA Worlds Collide Event Boosts Las Vegas Tourism During Summer
Local news coverage from 8 News Now in Las Vegas credited the WWE x AAA Worlds Collide event, held at the Cox Pavilion inside the Thomas & Mack Center, with revitalizing tourism on the Las Vegas Strip during a traditionally slow summer season. The combined wrestling promotions drew significant crowds, helping to combat the usual seasonal dip in visitor numbers. The event’s success highlighted the economic impact of major wrestling shows in key markets like Las Vegas.

The outlet described the effect on the region, noting the event’s role in alleviating the
“summer slump on the Las Vegas Strip.”
—8 News Now, Las Vegas News Source
WWE Vault Revives Classic ‘Hulk Hogan’s Rock ‘n’ Wrestling’ Episodes
WWE has continued to release full episodes of the nostalgic animated series ‘Hulk Hogan’s Rock ‘n’ Wrestling’ on its official WWE Vault YouTube channel. Over the weekend, three additional episodes of the cult-favorite cartoon were uploaded, providing fans with fresh access to vintage content from the company’s history. These uploads continue to preserve WWE’s legacy while engaging newer audiences with classic storytelling and characters.
Additional Wrestling News Highlights
Several other newsworthy updates emerged within the wrestling world recently. These include a former WWE and AEW star providing an update on a personal battle with cancer, CM Punk’s imminent WWE return to Japan after nearly 15 years, and former WWE talent Gable Steveson’s successful pro MMA debut backed by UFC legend Jon Jones.
AEW’s Collision show from Philadelphia and a detailed review of the WWE x AAA Worlds Collide event also featured prominently in recent coverage. Meanwhile, AJ Styles surprised fans by going off-script with a candid promo aimed at Triple H during a RAW commercial break. Other developments include Stephanie McMahon’s remarks on personal topics, Tiffany Stratton reaching a significant milestone in WWE, and updates on Cody Rhodes’ ongoing legal issues related to WWE and Fanatics.
These stories illustrate the ongoing dynamism present in the pro wrestling industry, with talent constantly evolving and major events shaping fan engagement across multiple platforms.
Looking Ahead: What Cody Rhodes’ Update Means for WWE SmackDown
Cody Rhodes’ public reflection after such a significant month signals his continued prominence within WWE SmackDown and the broader wrestling landscape. Balancing personal milestones with high-profile professional roles, including his casting in a major video game franchise, reflects his growing influence beyond the ring. Fans can anticipate Rhodes to remain a central figure in upcoming WWE programming as he navigates both his career and personal growth.
The continued success of events like WWE x AAA Worlds Collide and the growing presence of wrestling on diverse media platforms also indicate sustained momentum for WWE. As WWE evolves, updates from key performers like Rhodes help maintain fan interest and spotlight the brand’s ability to blend athletic competition with entertainment storytelling.
