A WWE Hall of Famer recently opened up about why Cody Rhodes’ passionate segment on the February 6 episode of Friday Night SmackDown struck an emotional chord with him. During the show, Rhodes launched a heated attack on WWE Champion Drew McIntyre, responding to McIntyre’s elimination of him from the Royal Rumble match. Rhodes vowed that McIntyre would not make it to WrestleMania 42, setting the stage for a fierce rivalry.
Speaking on the show Busted Open, Mark Henry described his reaction to this raw version of Rhodes, urging fans to embrace more of this “out-of-control” energy from the star. Henry emphasized the resemblance to Rhodes’ late father, the legendary Dusty Rhodes, which moved him deeply.
Emotional Moments Evoking Dusty Rhodes’ Spirit
Mark Henry explained that when Cody becomes enraged and loses control, certain traits from Dusty Rhodes resurface, including his distinctive speech patterns.
“When Cody gets irate, angry, out of control, the lisp comes back, baby. He turns into his daddy,”
Henry reflected. He shared how the intensity of the promo made his eyes fill with tears, seeing Cody pour his emotions into it.
Henry continued,
“When I get angry, I can’t put a sentence together. I lose my ability to communicate with English. Cody has a lot of that in him. You can hear it in his breathing, he couldn’t even regulate his breathing.”
He also noted the physicality in Rhodes’ delivery:
“When Cody also starts to lose control, he also spits. I was like, this is the Cody that you really want to see!”
Henry expressed his desire to see Rhodes fully embrace this fiery persona, even if it means turning dark.
“I want to see out-of-control Cody. I don’t care if Cody goes to the dark side, I just want him to own it.”
“Like, ‘The time for me being articulate, the time for me wearing the suits is over. You screwed me out of being in the main event at WrestleMania, and heads are going to roll.’”
Mark Henry, WWE Hall of Famer
Cody Rhodes’ Upcoming Elimination Chamber Match
Rhodes is set to compete against Jacob Fatu and Sami Zayn in a qualifier for the Elimination Chamber match on the February 13 SmackDown episode. This follows a night where two other wrestlers secured spots in the Elimination Chamber contests, further intensifying the road to WrestleMania 42. Rhodes’ commitment to this heated rivalry with McIntyre adds a layer of unpredictability to the championship chase.
Significance of Rhodes’ Aggressive Persona
The outburst from Rhodes signals a significant shift in his character, reflecting deeper frustration and a readiness to abandon earlier restraint. By channeling the intensity and emotional turmoil reminiscent of Dusty Rhodes, Cody is connecting with wrestling’s legacy while setting himself apart in the current WWE landscape. This transformation could dramatically influence upcoming storylines, especially as WrestleMania 42 approaches.
Fans and fellow wrestlers alike will be watching closely to see if Rhodes sustains this fierce, “out-of-control” energy and what consequences it might bring in his quest for the WWE Championship. With Mark Henry’s endorsement and acknowledgment of Rhodes’ emotional depth, expectations are high for a charged and unpredictable rivalry with Drew McIntyre moving forward.
