Despite being the current Undisputed WWE Champion, Cody Rhodes admitted that Roman Reigns continues to cast his massive head over his career. In an interview on ESPN First Take, Rhodes explained Reigns as the one who set his career up for success in WWE and acknowledged that the former champion remains an indispensable part of his current run and legacy.
Respect for Roman Reigns
Cody Rhodes looked back at the years that he had been out of WWE and how Roman Reigns was the top star of the company during that period. Regarding their rivalry, he noted it is based on respect, as Reigns has constantly challenged him to be the best.
Cody Rhodes stated that Reigns keeps him on his toes, and he wishes that The Tribal Chief would continue being part of WWE in the years to come. He said that he needs Roman Reigns to keep on elevating him as a performer. The two shared the ring as opponents, even as tag team partners during the Bad Blood premium live event, where Rhodes and Reigns had a short-lived alliance. Collectively, they won a rough tag team match against Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa.
Looking Toward WWE’s Future
As Cody Rhodes pondered his years-long feud with Reigns, he’s also laser-focused on the company’s future. During a different interview on ESPN with Unsportsmanlike, he endorsed Bron Breakker as the next franchise star of WWE. Rhodes did not hesitate in acknowledging that he looks forward to Breakker potentially taking his top spot one day, allowing him to guide the next era of WWE.
He also remembered an off-the-record conversation between him and Reigns in which they discussed the increasing mainstream appeal of WWE on specific networks, such as ESPN. Cody Rhodes clarified that he and Reigns are fulfilling dreams their fathers once had, to take professional wrestling to the next level as the world bears witness to its ascension to worldwide attraction status.
Final Touch
Cody Rhodes is the Undisputed WWE Champion, but he even confesses that Roman Reigns will forever be the measuring stick that tested if he could hang with the big players of the industry. Their rivalry was built, not only in the name of competition, but also respect that took both men to new heights in their profession.
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