Cody Rhodes, the current Undisputed WWE Champion and a top figure in professional wrestling worldwide, was mistakenly called “Cory” Rhodes by ESPN during a recent broadcast. The error happened over the weekend during a college football game in the United States, highlighting a notable blunder in ESPN’s coverage of WWE under their new partnership agreement.
In August, ESPN reached a five-year deal with WWE granting exclusive rights to air premium live wrestling events in the U.S. As part of this collaboration, ESPN has been promoting WWE matches during its programming, including during college football broadcasts. On Saturday, during the game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and Iowa State Cyclones, announcer Roy Philpott promoted the upcoming WWE Crown Jewel event but incorrectly referred to Cody Rhodes as “Cory” Rhodes on air.
During the promotion, Philpott said,
“Don’t forget WWE Crown Jewel, live from Perth in Western Australia, next Saturday, October 11 at 8 a.m. Eastern. Catch it all on the new ESPN app. Cory Rhodes to battle Seth Rollins in a WWE Crown Jewel Championship match,”
Roy Philpott, play-by-play announcer.
Background on the ESPN-WWE Collaboration and Initial Challenges
The ESPN-WWE partnership has been designed to bring premium wrestling content to a broader audience through ESPN’s platforms. Despite the promising alliance, the relationship has encountered difficulties from the start. Philpott’s slip-up is a case in point, likely due to his primary experience being in football analysis, which may explain his unfamiliarity with WWE personalities. This was the network’s first major pay-per-view live event under this new deal, and prior to this, one ESPN analyst gave Wrestlepalooza a grade of C, sparking criticism and questions about ESPN’s commitment to appreciating WWE content deeply.
Cody Rhodes’ Support for WWE Star Bron Breakker in ESPN Interviews
In addition to ESPN’s promotional efforts, Cody Rhodes has actively engaged with the network to highlight other wrestling talent. Ahead of Wrestlepalooza, Rhodes took part in interviews on ESPN, including an appearance on the show Unsportsmanlike, where he expressed strong support for Bron Breakker, a rising star in WWE.
Rhodes stated clearly,
“I love Bron Breakker, and he’s not gonna like me saying this. But I’m glad you talked to him, because Bron Breakker is, I didn’t think this at first, and I don’t mean this with any disrespect, I do think it now though, he’s the future of WWE. He’s definitely someone that we’re positioning to be there as we go,”
Cody Rhodes, WWE Champion.
Rhodes also hinted at the possibility of championing Breakker in future storylines, reflecting his genuine belief in the younger wrestler’s potential as a cornerstone for WWE’s future.
The Impact and What to Expect Moving Forward
This mix-up by ESPN, although unintentional, underscores the challenges the network faces in adapting to WWE’s unique entertainment style and culture. While the mistake may appear minor, it points to a broader need for ESPN to deepen its understanding and respect for WWE’s talent and audience as the partnership evolves.
Cody Rhodes’ constructive media presence and vocal support of future WWE stars show a commitment to growing the brand and engaging fans during this period of transition. Meanwhile, fans and observers will watch closely to see how ESPN improves its WWE coverage and whether it can avoid similar blunders as it seeks to establish itself as the home for major wrestling events.
No way ESPN called Cody Rhodes, “Cory Rhodes”………😑 pic.twitter.com/DVwrzKlCqh
— #WeWantCody (@WeWantCody_) October 6, 2025
Cody Rhodes says Bron Breakker is the future of WWE, playfully pokes fun at how soft spoken Bron is in interviews:
“I love Bron Breakker, and he’s not gonna like me saying this. But I’m glad you talked to him, because Bron Breakker is—I didn’t think this at first, and I don’t… pic.twitter.com/HJOnLGay9p
— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) September 18, 2025
