Top AEW Star ‘Really Proud’ Of Cody Rhodes’ WWE Run

WWE

Top AEW star and former WWE Champion Bryan Danielson says he is “really proud” of Cody Rhodes’ “special” WWE run.

Cody Rhodes has become the most popular babyface in not just all of WWE, but the biggest fan favorite in all of wrestling since returning to the company at WrestleMania 38.

Rhodes’ popularity has been the most comparable in recent history to the surge that Daniel Bryan experienced in the lead-up to WrestleMania 30 a decade earlier.

Bryan Danielson and Cody Rhodes are no strangers to one another, becoming friends during their time together in WWE and once again working for the same company again in AEW when Bryan made the jump in August 2021.

Speaking with Sports Illustrated, Danielson discussed Cody Rhodes’ current run with WWE ahead of Wrestlemania 40. He said:

“I am really proud of Cody. What he’s doing is really special.”

Rhodes is set to challenge Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania 40 in a rematch to their WrestleMania 39 clash.

On texting Cody ahead of his showdown with Roman at WrestleMania 39, Bryan said:

“I texted Cody last year, just saying I was so proud of him and congratulations. Then the finish happened, and I was so mad.”

On his relationship with Rhodes sustaining through both men working for opposing companies, Danielson said:

“This is the beauty of professional wrestling,”

“There may be animosity and tribalism amongst fans or people who run companies. But the wrestlers? We want what’s best for each other.”

“From a wrestler’s perspective, I want my friends to do well. And they want me to do well, too.”

On Cody texting him after his Iron Man Match against MJF in 2023, Bryan said:

“I want what’s best for Cody. It’s no different with him. Cody texted me after my hour-long match against Max [MJF] and told me how much he loved it.”

“There are plenty of friends from WWE who’ve reached out and complimented different things I’ve done in AEW. I’ve done the same for friends in WWE. I want my friends to succeed.”

“We like the fact there are two competing companies. That’s good for wrestlers, and the wrestlers want each other to succeed.”

Cody Rhodes is set to headline both nights of WrestleMania 40. Besides his night two main event, Rhodes will team with Seth Rollins to face The Rock and Roman Reigns at WrestleMania Saturday on April 6.

Meanwhile, Bryan Danielson is set to face Will Ospreay in a first-time ever dream match at AEW Dynasty on April 21.

For the full lineup for WrestleMania 40, click here. For the full lineup for AEW Dynasty, click here.

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• Bryan Danielson
• Cody Rhodes
• AEW
• wwe

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