Cody Rhodes Was ‘Trepidatious’ About Involvement In Major WWE Moment: ‘I Didn’t Want To Screw That Up’

WWE

Cody Rhodes has recalled being “trepidatious” about his involvement in a significant WWE moment in 2025.

Ever since ending Roman Reigns’ 1316 day Undisputed WWE Championship reign at WrestleMania 40, Cody Rhodes has been featured in many of the highest profile storylines and feuds on the company’s programming.

While Roman Reigns arguably has regained his top spot in 2026 with his current run as World Heavyweight Champion, it was Rhodes who was given the chance to feud with John Cena for his final WrestleMania in 2025.

Setting up that feud was a moment that easily ranks as one of WWE’s most shocking of the modern era, when Cena turned heel for the first time in 22 years at Elimination Chamber, with Rhodes becoming the victim of a three-on-one assault at the hands of Cena, The Rock and Travis Scott.

During his appearance on Good Hang with Amy Poehler, Rhodes discussed Cena’s turn and how he and his mentor had very different emotions heading into it:

“With John, if you’ve ever seen it, the moment where he hugs me and his face changes, he was so excited. I was more trepidatious in terms of he had never done that and it didn’t even make sense to do it at this point.

“He had never gone rogue, gone bad. So I just didn’t want to screw that massive moment up.”

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Rhodes would then open up about his friendship with Cena, which dates back to when they used to ride together during his early years on the WWE roster.

Rhodes continued:

“He taught me everything I know because I drove him around for two years before he got his big tour bus. John was such a fun riding partner. A lot of strict rules. We do this little ritual stop where he had to load up a styrofoam cooler with an extra 24 beers in the back of the car…

“I can’t think of another guy who didn’t need to take the time. He definitely didn’t need to, he was the busiest guy on the roster. He took the time.

“He’s not gonna agree with this, but I was a ‘job guy’, I was laying on my back looking at the lights every night. I was the three second tan, as John calls it. He still wanted to, he had a belief in me.”

If you use this transcription or any portion of it please credit WrestleTalk.com and link to this page.

In the same interview, Rhodes named the one flaw he feels Cena has in WWE, something that reared its head during their feud in 2025 – click here for full details.

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• wwe
• Cody Rhodes
• John Cena

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