Cody Rhodes wouldn’t change a thing about the shots he took at WWE during his time away from the company.
“The American Nightmare” returned to WWE at WrestleMania 38 Night One, and he has signed a “complex’ multi-year deal with the promotion. But many fans still remember how he said derogatory things about the company and otherwise criticized it throughout his AEW career. Most notably, Rhodes smashed a throne, much like the one Triple H previously used in his entrances, at AEW’s inaugural event, Double or Nothing 2019.
During an interview with Ariel Helwani of BT Sport, when asked whether he regrets any of these actions, Rhodes emphasized that he stands by them. He then recalled one of the most memorable experiences he had with Triple H in his first WWE run, when “The Game” encouraged him to stand up for himself.
“Hell no, no, because that’s what he would have done,” said Rhodes. “One of the things I remember, I don’t think I was even Stardust yet, I ran up to Gorilla Position, I’m all huffing and puffing, and I was mad about something, but not really mad. And I knew I should speak to Vince or Hunter, and I spoke to Hunter, and he said, ‘I totally understand.’ I remember, clear as day, he goes, ‘I totally understand.’ And he had his headphones on, he was taking time off of the segment to have this conversation with me. He goes, ‘Maybe you just go in that writers’ room right now and rattle the cages. Make a scene. You’re not gonna get in trouble. Go in and let them know.’
“And he wasn’t passing me off as much as he sincerely was, the door’s got their names on it here. Knock, come in and say your piece. What’s the worst that could happen? It’s very easy to be scared. We’re surrounded by giants in the business. Vince is a giant in the business, Undertaker, Steve Austin, surrounded by these giants. But we’ve gotta get ours. We’ve gotta keep the product going. We’ve got to grow into these top stars ourselves.”
“The American Nightmare” repeated that he stands by the throne-smashing spot; in fact, the throne is still at his house. He went on to state that his actions were fueled by anger, and he believes they needed to happen. He noted that he’s still angry, but not with Triple H.
“I broke the throne, I talked all this trash, I stand by what I did,” said Rhodes. “The throne is in the bar at my house. It’s a good picture spot. I think it was what needed to happen. I was angry. I’m still angry, I really am still angry, but not with him. Because he also was somebody who helped teach me.”
Ultimately, Rhodes explained that he and Triple H might not see things the same way, but at the end of the day, “The King of Kings” took care of his father, Dusty. While he stated that he’ll never be able to fully repay this kindness, Rhodes described how coming back to WWE and doing his best is the only way he can come close to doing so.
“Say what you want, Hunter may think I’m a dork, he may not know, he may not have the respect and admiration for me that I have for him,” said Rhodes. “That may be the case, but he did take care of my dad. He took care of my dad. Smash all of the thrones in the world, that is one that I can’t pay back. And maybe the only way I can even come close is to be here and deliver on a high level for him.”
Rhodes also described how Triple H was the last one who entered his trailer before his return at WrestleMania; they hugged and had a meaningful conversation, though “The American Nightmare” didn’t elaborate on what Triple H said to him.
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