WWE’s Cody Rhodes Talks Brock Lesnar, A Roman Reigns Rematch, WWE Supercard, And His WWE 2K23 Enter

When Cody Rhodes returned to WWE at Wrestlemania 38 in 2022, it was the worst-kept secret in skilled wrestling. Since then, although, he is been positioned as one in every of WWE’s largest stars–torn pec notwithstanding–and it is a outstanding run provided that he is one of many only a few wrestlers who left WWE to make a reputation for themselves, finally returning.

After getting back from damage on the 2023 Royal Rumble, which he gained, and preventing Roman Reigns for the WWE Undisputed Heavyweight Championship at Wrestlemania 39, Cody now faces his subsequent main problem: Brock Lesnar. Rhodes and Lesnar will go toe-to-toe at WWE Backlash on Saturday, Could 6, stay on Peacock.

Earlier than then, Rhodes, often known as the “American Nightmare,” spoke to GameSpot about getting ready for Brock, his story with Roman Reigns not being completed but, and his return to WWE video video games. The “American Nightmare” shouldn’t be solely represented in 2K’s newest title, WWE 2K23, however his character is alive and properly within the WWE Supercard cellular recreation, as properly. And for those who’re questioning whether or not or not he had any enter on how his character seems to be within the video video games, we’ll let Rhodes clarify how “petty” he might be about his personal character design.

GameSpot: I needed to begin out by throwing a quantity at you. I requested 2K and Cat Daddy. They usually advised me that there are 33 Cody Rhodes playing cards in WWE Supercard. They cowl just about each model of Cody Rhodes that you’ve portrayed on WWE tv. Did you notice that you simply have been so properly represented on this recreation?

Cody Rhodes: I do not suppose it is actually hit me, generally. I knew the identical factor when it comes to having 33 completely different variations. I do not suppose it is actually hit me how a lot I am represented, or how a lot of what we’d call–as far as being a wrestler or a member of the roster–how a lot fairness I’ve simply inside the firm. Simply because my focus has at all times been what’s proper in entrance of me, you realize? On this case, in beating Brock Lesnar. But it surely’s very sobering. It is a type of issues that whenever you commit your entire life to doing this, actually, you’re keen on listening to that you’ve 33 variations of your profession and your self and the great occasions and the unhealthy occasions which can be on this area that is a really lively group for avid gamers and folks to take pleasure in Supercard. And also you take a look at it and suppose, “Nicely, I would prefer to make it an excellent quantity. Let’s get to 40. How can we get to 40?” And hopefully, we will try this.

It’s extremely attention-grabbing that Supercard is sort of a dwelling museum of WWE historical past. Wrestlemania simply occurred and we received a brand new “American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes card. Nonetheless, in speaking to my accomplice, I needed to go and clarify actually yesterday who the “undashing” model of your character was. And it is really easy to drag up the app and faucet on that card to see what you seemed like at that time.

That is actually that is cool that it is a visible help in a way for one thing like that, as a result of I can inform you each one in every of us–different members of the roster–there’s simply this egocentric nature of, “Oh, after all, everybody is aware of about that point I did this or that point we did this.” And to be trustworthy, I’ve forgotten plenty of issues that I assumed I’d always remember.

We have now the Cody Rhodes Hell in a Cell Defining Moments motion determine, full with torn pec, popping out. I’ve to consider a Supercard model of that’s someplace across the nook.

I do know instantly once I consider Hell in a Cell, and I talked about it final week in my promo on Uncooked, it is one thing that was far beyond–I did not know what was taking place. I used to be in a lot ache. I needed to form of go additional into this final week however I did not wish to simply eat up mic time, however I used to be in a lot bodily ache and I needed to take child Tylenol as a result of they could not discover common Advil. I had ice on all of it day. I used to be simply depressing. After which I wasn’t depressing as a result of it was so thrilling and so reckless and never one thing that I would ever advocate to some other wrestler or celebrity to ever do once more. However once more, I’ve by no means watched the match again. And I do know at some point WWE goes to be like, “Oh, we’ll do that sit down and you are going to watch it again with Seth. And we’ll speak about it.” I am going to watch it again then, I suppose. However to see how a lot it meant to individuals, that determine popping out, which additionally comes with the bull rope and the cowbell. That was enjoyable as a result of my brother despatched me that in a single day. You’ll be able to’t simply discover a common bull rope and the unique Dusty cowbell simply wherever. So he overnighted it to me after which it made it and I used to be in a position to convey that into that match. Yeah, that is very particular. I am glad it is making its manner and I am positive such as you stated I guess you it makes its option to Supercard as properly.

This yr additionally marks your return to WWE’s mainline online game collection. And never solely are you again, however because the model of your self that you simply created exterior of WWE. What was that like for you? And did you’ve got any enter in your presentation? As a result of your character has plenty of pyrotechnics on his option to the ring.

I stated this once I first got here again. I stated I’ve a really sophisticated contract. I believe lots of people thought that meant cash and no, it did not imply cash. It meant all types of bizarre little–I am going to simply go forward and say it–petty issues. I keep watch over this model as a result of we labored so exhausting. And I imply we, when it comes to I developed that model exterior of WWE, but in addition it is actually fan-created, as properly. So many items that I borrowed and linked collectively, and all of the completely different corporations I went to, each place, each cease alongside the street, and each fan I met genuinely had an impression on what the American Nightmare could be. Then displaying up at Wrestlemania, it nearly hit its remaining type. Virtually. I can inform you in terms of that, they have been very lively, the 2K persons are actually nice. If I get a way persons are going to deal with me like they used to once I was Stardust, I am already on my toes able to combat someone. They usually got here at me and handled me utterly completely different with plenty of love and the one factor that changed–they confirmed me the whole lot within the entrance and the pyro–the solely factor that I believe I used to be just a little petty, specifically, about [is] I made them take away a couple of freckles. I do not know if that is a if that must be information or not however I am going to go forward and put it on the market there was one too many freckles on the American Nightmare that was in that recreation.

Now, we’re clearly waiting for you and Brock going one on one at Backlash. I used to be within the area for the Uncooked after Wrestlemania, whenever you have been crushed down by Brock. Not essentially the most enjoyable ending to that present. How precisely does one put together for a match towards Brock Lesnar? You’ve got confronted plenty of various kinds of individuals. However I’ve but to see anybody fairly like that.

I’ve to giggle whenever you talked about being there simply because I’ve already stated it, however that is undoubtedly the worst beatdown and essentially the most extended beatdown I’ve ever been a part of. [It’s] genuinely humiliating, coming off of a tough evening, if not the most common evening already. It is humorous now trying again, however searching within the crowd and seeing plenty of the youthful followers who had been at WrestleMania and who had been at Monday Evening Uncooked, that was a very tough capsule to swallow when it comes to you do not wish to depart them disillusioned like that. So it’s a must to be sure you stand up and exit by yourself toes and provides them a chance to know that you simply’re okay.

Brock being so massive, being so violent, and once more [being] essentially the most adorned fight sports activities athlete of all time. However I simply really feel like I do not know the best way to put it. It appears like there’s an ace up my sleeve that Brock Lesnar shouldn’t be conscious of. I believe Brock Lesnar’s not conscious of something about me, aside from the truth that I got here into WWE and lit it up. And on the time I did that, he was in the principle occasion towards Roman Reigns and actually pulling the wagon and being one of many largest stars within the historical past of the game. And a few individuals take a look at that and go, “Oh, nice, we received this man, he is gonna assist us this can be a good factor. We have this new addition.” I consider, judging from the place we at the moment are, Brock checked out it and simply thought someone was making an attempt to get at his plate, someone was making an attempt to get at his meals. And aside from that, that is all I believe he is aware of about me, which fits to my benefit in Puerto Rico [at Backlash]. I am very optimistic. We have educated, we have executed all the proper issues, made any changes we have to alter to. However once more, you say that, and then you definately’re standing throughout from Brock Lesnar. However I believe I’ve his quantity, and I do not even suppose he is received a agency grasp on who I’m in any respect.

Since your WWE return, you’ve got spoken at size about “ending the story” that was began by your father, “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes. In hindsight, with Wrestlemania, behind us, in your thoughts is ending the story beating and toppling Roman Reigns for the WWE Undisputed Common Championship that he is held for practically 1,000 days? Or, with you being drafted to Uncooked and in competition for the newly-revived WWE World Heavyweight Championship, may that end the story you’ve got been telling?

I believe they’re very completely different tales. And I believe they’re all actually particular tales, you form of stated it your self. There’s an entire roll roster that wishes to be the very first World Heavyweight Champion for this iteration of the title that Triple H confirmed final week. Nonetheless, the story that I used to be speaking about once I got here again at Wrestlemania, the evening getting as shut as anybody has ever [gotten to beating Roman], if not even closer–to the purpose the place Paul Heyman was totally out of breath, considering this was it, this was the top. And I believe everybody thought this was the top. And it wasn’t. I have been cautious about not occurring TV and complaining concerning the nature of how I misplaced as a result of it is simply not in my make-up. It is whining. Everybody noticed it, you already know.

That entails the WWE Championship, which manner, manner, manner again was the WWWF Championship in 1978. That is the story that must be completed, that I wish to be completed. But it surely doesn’t suggest that different tales will not occur, so long as I am below contract with WWE. The objective was to get my arms on the title that he by no means totally received to take house. And that’s nonetheless the objective. However I think about plenty of issues will occur.

That is an enormous, large, large rematch. And if you realize something, which most followers do concerning the nature of the tribal chief’s deal and the way regularly we see him, it is in all probability the rematch that and the match generally that WWE desires essentially the most, but it surely is also essentially the most tough to get to. So proper now what’s laid in entrance of me is Brock Lesnar–can’t look previous that. If the World Heavyweight Championship, the brand new one that’s the shining beacon for Monday Evening Uncooked is there, I do not look down on that within the slightest. However simply so all of us are clear, the story that must be completed was the story that revolves across the title that Roman has.

And final thing, I do know you are an enormous Zelda fan. How are you feeling/getting ready for Tears of the Kingdom?

I am totally getting ready within the sense that I redid a Breath of the Wild playthrough. And I am actually centered on stuff that I did not contact final time. I simply needed to get by means of the narrative. The story I used to be actually, actually loving. And the story is form of minimal and Breath of the Wild, in a way that you simply play for thus lengthy, then you definately get to hidden reminiscence, otherwise you get to one of many Divine Beasts and get one other piece of the canon. I received all that. So I have been doing stuff like making an attempt to beat Lynels. I have been making an attempt to truly get good on the recreation, as a result of it looks like Tears of the Kingdom goes to be [based] so much across the mechanics of the brand new issues you are able to do with the autos and stuff. And I do not wish to be a jabroni. I used to be on an Air France flight getting back from Paris simply the opposite day and there was a person a lot a lot older than me. I imply, pushing 80, possibly 90. And he seemed over my seat and talked to me, even with just a little little bit of a language barrier about how excited he was for Tears of the Kingdom. And that was a type of moments once I realized that is a type of generational large large offers, not only for Nintendo [but] for gaming. And it is cool that it brings individuals collectively.

Observe: This interview has been condensed for readability and size.