When Cody Rhodes made his return from a torn pec at Number 30 in the Royal Rumble, and went on to win the match – fans started to compare Rhodes to John Cena. This is a good comparison, with Rhodes being another all American babyface in the same mould as John Cena & Hulk Hogan. Being compared to Cena is also something Rhodes welcomes – as he views Cena as a role model.
John Cena Is The Ultimate Role Model
While speaking with Robbie Fox on My Mom’s Basement, Cody Rhodes was asked if he felt pressure to be a locker room leader in WWE like John Cena was. Rhodes would respond with the following, calling Cena the ultimate role model in that regard.
”John’s the ultimate role model as far as how he conducted himself, whether it was with the media, with the fans, the good fans, the more unruly fans, everything. He is the ultimate role model. Before he became a bus guy, I got to drive him around a little bit, and he was just talking. I was, in my mind, just writing everything down that he was saying. He was really invaluable as a person to be around. I’m so blown away by how he’s doing and what he’s doing. I think if you try to copy what he did… everyone’s gotta do it their own way. I think my style, I ever was to be somebody that was a locker room leader, would just be to lead by example.”
Cena was an originally planned opponent for Rhodes at WrestleMania, but plans changed to instead put Rhodes against Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns instead – giving Rhodes his first WrestleMania main event. There’s a good chance that these plans for Cena vs. Rhodes instead come together for SummerSlam, where Cena can truly pass the torch to the next top babyface in WWE.
Cody Rhodes Learned To Lead By Example During His Time In AEW
Rhodes would continue, going on to say that he realized during his time in AEW as an Executive Vice President, it is always best to lead by example.
“I know because, as my time in management and being an executive, as beneficial as that was to me and as educational as it was to me, sometimes it’s easier to lead by example, really, versus telling them this is gonna work, or being so adamant that they need to do this and need to do this. Everybody is different. There is no true formula for success in sports entertainment and pro wrestling. It’s really you just know it when you hear it, when they’re reacting, boos and cheers included in that. I think for me, I’ll probably do it my way if I ever end in that spot and I kind of am. But yeah, I’d like to do it my way. I loved how he did it. Dude was his in his jean shorts and his shirt all show.”
Do you think Cody Rhodes could be the next John Cena? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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