WWE Champion Cody Rhodes is facing serious criticism from Drew McIntyre, who accuses him of engaging in backstage politics similar to John Cena‘s. These comments come ahead of their anticipated WWE Title match at Wrestlepalooza, where Rhodes will defend the championship he reclaimed from Cena at SummerSlam.
McIntyre Details Distaste for Rhodes’ Behavior Behind the Scenes
During a backstage interview with Cathy Kelley, Drew McIntyre expressed frustration with Cody Rhodes, labeling him as a backstage operator who prioritizes his personal status over others. McIntyre likened Rhodes’ influence tactics to those used by John Cena, asserting that Rhodes actively undermines fellow WWE talent to maintain his position.
McIntyre did not hold back on his criticisms, branding Rhodes a liar and a manipulator. He referenced Rhodes’ own admissions on his podcast about dishonesty, describing him with a harsh metaphor to emphasize the extent of his duplicity. McIntyre emphasized that while both he and Rhodes have claimed to follow Cena’s work ethic of total commitment, Rhodes took it further by mastering the art of flattery and political maneuvering backstage.
“Let’s start with the liar thing – he said it himself, Cody Rhodes is a liar. Listen to his podcast, I know there’s a lot of content in WWE, but give it a listen. He’ll admit he lies all the time. He’s a liarbetic, he’s got liarbetes, he can’t help himself. So let’s move that one on.” Drew McIntyre, WWE wrestler
“The manipulating aspect – we both have openly said we followed the John Cena approach. ‘Give it my all, sacrifice everything.’ I did. Cody did exactly the same, the big difference between both of us is that he learned to kiss ass just as good as Cena. He managed to cut off legs when people got anywhere close to him. Cody Rhodes doesn’t care about anything else except that WWE Championship and himself, and everything else comes second.” Drew McIntyre, WWE wrestler
Background on Rhodes and McIntyre’s Rivalry Leading to Wrestlepalooza
Cody Rhodes’ journey to Wrestlepalooza has been eventful, as he captured the WWE Title from John Cena at SummerSlam. Since winning, Rhodes has appeared somewhat sporadically on WWE programming, balancing his wrestling duties with commitments to the Street Fighter franchise. His recent absence was partly due to an attack by McIntyre, who inflicted a Claymore Kick that left Rhodes laid out on the announcers’ desk.
The upcoming match at Wrestlepalooza is set to headline WWE’s first premium live event on ESPN, intensifying the stakes for both wrestlers. McIntyre is looking to reclaim the championship from Rhodes while calling attention to what he sees as Rhodes’ damaging backstage conduct.
Possible Implications of the Tension for WWE’s Locker Room
The conflict between McIntyre and Rhodes reveals deeper tensions within the WWE locker room, where allegations of political maneuvering can affect talent relationships and overall morale. If McIntyre’s claims about Rhodes are widely believed, it might impact how fans and colleagues view the reigning champion beyond his in-ring performances.
Moving forward, the Wrestlepalooza main event promises to be more than a title match; it may serve as a flashpoint for unresolved backstage disputes that influence WWE’s culture and talent dynamics. How this rivalry unfolds could set the tone for future confrontations about politics and power in professional wrestling.
Drew McIntyre claims WWE Champion Cody Rhodes has "cut off legs" just like John Cena did when he was on top:
"Let's start with the liar thing – he said it himself, Cody Rhodes is a liar. Listen to his podcast, I know there's a lot of content in WWE, but give it a listen. He'll… pic.twitter.com/23IFuwYPnQ
— WrestleTalk (@WrestleTalk_TV) September 20, 2025
