Cody Rhodes, the Undisputed WWE Champion and the prominent face of WWE’s current roster, recently became the center of attention after ESPN made an on-air mistake, incorrectly referring to him as “Cory Rhodes.” This slip happened during the promotion of the upcoming WWE Crown Jewel event, drawing criticism from fans who viewed the error as a sign of disrespect toward the star.
The American Nightmare claimed the Undisputed WWE Championship from John Cena at SummerSlam on August 3, marking his second reign in this role. Despite being pushed to the top following his return, Rhodes postponed his initial title defense until the WWE Wrestlepalooza Premium Live Event (PLE) on September 20, where he successfully retained against Drew McIntyre. This delay was largely due to his involvement in filming the Street Fighter movie.
In November 2024, Rhodes became the inaugural WWE Crown Jewel Champion, and he is set to defend that title once again at Crown Jewel VII. Representing SmackDown, he will face World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins, who represents RAW, in a championship match at the event later this month.
ESPN’s On-Air Error Sparks Fan Backlash During College Football Coverage
The partnership between WWE and ESPN took a rocky turn following the Wrestlepalooza event, and it faced renewed scrutiny over the weekend during a college football game between Iowa State and Cincinnati aired on ESPN2. Announcer Roy Philpott, while promoting WWE Crown Jewel, mistakenly called Cody Rhodes “Cory Rhodes” live on air.
“Don’t forget, WWE Crown Jewel, live from Perth, Western Australia, next Saturday, October 11 at 8am Eastern. Catch it on the all-new ESPN App… Cory Rhodes to battle Seth Rollins in a WWE Crown Jewel Championship match,” Roy Philpott said.
This mistake quickly went viral, with social media users sharing clips and commentary highlighting the error. Fans of Rhodes expressed their frustration that such a notable WWE figure was misnamed during a high-profile promotion by ESPN, reflecting negatively on the broadcaster’s attention to detail regarding wrestling talent.
Upcoming WWE Crown Jewel Event Set in Australia with Full Match Lineup
Just six days before the seventh WWE Crown Jewel PLE, preparations continue at RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia, where the event will take place on Saturday, October 11. The card features Cody Rhodes defending his WWE Crown Jewel Championship against Seth Rollins, promising a major showdown between two top-tier champions from SmackDown and RAW.
As part of its Australian tour, WWE will hold the go-home SmackDown episode from the same RAC Arena on the Friday before Crown Jewel. Additionally, the post-event RAW will be broadcast live from Perth’s venue on Monday. WWE will then move to Melbourne for a non-televised Supershow on Wednesday, October 15, at Rod Laver Arena, continuing its presence Down Under.
This sequence underscores WWE’s commitment to expanding its international footprint, especially in markets like Australia, while also delivering blockbuster events that showcase key athletes like Rhodes and Rollins. The ESPN-Cody Rhodes name error incident, though minor, highlights the importance of accurate representation as WWE’s exposure grows through major media partnerships.
ESPN called him "Cory Rhodes"😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/ZoSgtcfZ9L
— AIR (@AIRGold_) October 5, 2025
