Cody Rhodes recently shared the unexpected experience he had with then-President Donald Trump during his WWE Walk of Shame moment at WrestleMania 29. The American Nightmare recounted this event while discussing his WWE Walk Of Shame on his podcast with Nikki Bella, revealing the tensions he felt at the time and how Trump literally pushed him aside in a surprising encounter.
Reflecting on a Difficult WWE Walk Of Shame
In the mid-2010s, Cody Rhodes was far from the celebrated wrestler he is today, as his character underwent numerous changes without clear direction. From the “Dashing” and “Undashing” Cody Rhodes personas to his partnership with Damien Sandow as part of the Rhodes Scholars, and eventually the bizarre Stardust gimmick, his WWE journey was turbulent. He eventually left WWE in May 2016.
Rhodes explained that his walk of shame came after a big match was canceled at WrestleMania 29. Wanting to avoid negative emotions and unwanted questions, he walked under the stage and tried to compose himself. It was there that an unexpected encounter with Donald Trump occurred.
“So, my walk of shame wasn’t far because I went under the stage. So I went under the stage just to sit there cos my fear was ‘I’m gonna say something or yell at somebody or some writer is gonna ask for something and I’m gonna go crazy.’So, I went and sat under the stage. I was really trying to kinda control my emotions, the whole thing, and believe it or not, I’m sitting there. I’m not looking ahead, and I felt a kick on my foot. And I heard a ‘Excuse me, young man!’ And I look up and it is the sitting president of the United States, Donald Trump, who is with his entire family walking by to then go out to do the Hall of Fame shout out or whatever it was. And I literally was like, ‘Sorry, excuse me.’ And I just turned and I’m in full gear. I had, like, my new gear on and everything cos everyone had new gear and this was WrestleMania. And I feel like it’s a very large, maybe it shouldn’t be, but it is a large part of the journey. [3:36 onwards]”
—Cody Rhodes, WWE Wrestler
This encounter was notably awkward, with Trump physically nudging Rhodes aside, emphasizing the uneasy nature of Rhodes’s WWE position at the time. It was a moment of vulnerability in a career that would later flourish dramatically.
Potential Collaboration with The Rock at SummerSlam
Looking ahead, speculation has been growing that Cody Rhodes might undergo a heel turn and possibly form an alliance with The Rock at the upcoming SummerSlam event. The Rock, absent since the 2025 Elimination Chamber, could reemerge in a major storyline involving Rhodes.
Rhodes recently won the prestigious King of the Ring Tournament in Saudi Arabia, securing a challenge opportunity against the world champion. He is scheduled to face John Cena at the SummerSlam premium live event, heightening anticipation for what might be a major shift in his character and alliances.
Wrestling analyst Sam Roberts from NotSam Wrestling has noted subtle hints from Rhodes suggesting a future partnership with The Rock, fueling fans’ excitement about the possibility.
Roman Reigns Addresses Tensions with Recent Rival
Meanwhile, Roman Reigns has issued a warning to an injured rival, signaling that unfinished business remains between them. This adds a layer of tension across WWE’s roster as rivalries continue to simmer and evolve.
Major WWE Injury and Tag Team Breakup Announced On RAW
On a recent episode of RAW, WWE announced the injury of a key star and the official split of a major tag team. This development will likely cause shifts in WWE storylines and roster dynamics moving forward.
Legendary WWE Hall of Famer Prepares to Retire This October
An iconic WWE Hall of Famer has revealed plans to retire in October, marking the end of an era. Their farewell includes one final major match, which is being eagerly anticipated by wrestling fans worldwide.
Former WWE Champion Faces Long Recovery
A former WWE champion suffered a serious injury during a WWE NXT match and is expected to be sidelined for six to eight months. This extended recovery period will have implications for WWE’s championship scene.
SummerSlam Night One Main Event and Seth Rollins’ Absence Impact
WWE has reportedly made its choice for the main event on the first night of SummerSlam, a historic two-night event. With Seth Rollins currently absent, wrestlers Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns appear to be heading toward a showdown for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
Roman Reigns’ Unscripted Moment with Jey Uso Revealed
After RAW went off the air, cameras captured Roman Reigns breaking character during an unscripted exchange with Jey Uso. This rare moment offered fans a glimpse of the wrestlers’ real personas beyond their WWE characters.
Potential Heel Turn in Feud with Roman Reigns
Though Roman Reigns has transitioned into a babyface role, his longtime rival remains committed to maintaining his heel character. This ongoing feud is expected to intensify as both wrestlers continue to evolve their in-ring storylines.
Cody Rhodes’ revelation about his WWE Walk Of Shame encounter with Donald Trump underscores the challenges he faced early in his career, contrasting sharply with his current success. As Rhodes prepares for major matches and potential alliances in upcoming WWE events, fans eagerly await the next chapters in his wrestling journey, which now appears destined for greater prominence. The evolving narratives involving stars like Roman Reigns, The Rock, and John Cena further signal a thrilling summer ahead for WWE enthusiasts.
