Drew McIntyre has publicly accused Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes of using backstage manipulation tactics similar to those once employed by John Cena. These allegations surfaced ahead of their WWE Wrestlepalooza main event match, where Rhodes will defend his title against McIntyre.
McIntyre Claims Rhodes Controls Backstage Dynamics
During a WWE interview before Wrestlepalooza, McIntyre criticized Rhodes for allegedly sabotaging others who challenge his position as the company’s top star. McIntyre stated that Rhodes has effectively “cut legs off” anyone who has come close to threatening his spot at the pinnacle of WWE.
He went on to describe Rhodes as someone who not only works hard but also uses manipulation to maintain his dominance. McIntyre pointed out that both he and Rhodes followed the ethos popularized by John Cena—committing fully to their craft and making personal sacrifices. However, he highlighted a key difference by emphasizing Rhodes’s ability to maneuver backstage politics.
Direct Statements from Drew McIntyre on Rhodes’s Behavior
McIntyre bluntly accused Rhodes of dishonesty and manipulation during his remarks:
“Let’s start with the liar thing – he said it himself, Cody Rhodes is a liar.”
– Drew McIntyre
“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
“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.”
– Drew McIntyre
He also accused Rhodes of prioritizing the WWE Championship and himself over all else:
Cody Rhodes doesn’t care about anything else except that WWE Championship and himself, and everything else comes second.
– Drew McIntyre
Context of Wrestlepalooza and Related Matches
The accusations come on the eve of WWE Wrestlepalooza, a major event where Rhodes and McIntyre will clash for the WWE Championship in the main event. The card also features John Cena, who is set to face Brock Lesnar in the opening match, adding further intrigue to the evening’s lineup.
These behind-the-scenes tensions highlight ongoing struggles within WWE, where locker room dynamics and backstage maneuvering continue to influence the careers of top performers like Rhodes and McIntyre.
Implications for WWE Storylines and Locker Room Dynamics
McIntyre’s statements underscore the simmering conflicts beneath WWE’s scripted storytelling, revealing a competitive environment marked by personal rivalries and strategic positioning. The outcome of Wrestlepalooza and how these backstage claims affect Rhodes’s standing remain closely watched by fans and insiders alike.
As WWE continues to evolve, the backstage behavior of main event stars like Cody Rhodes could shape future storylines and influence talent relations, impacting both the company’s culture and its public image.
