AEW President Tony Khan has shared his take on fans booing Cody Rhodes, comparing his fan reaction to John Cena in WWE.
Over the course of 2021, Rhodes has become less popular, often jeered by live crowds, despite wrestling as a face. Speaking on Wrestling Observer Live, Khan argued that Rhodes receives a mixed reaction most nights, rather than an outright negative one.
Happy as long as fans are emotionally invested in the product, Khan said:
“It’s been a long time since it was the opposite of the intended reaction. I’ve known what the reaction is for a long time, and I think it’s very polarizing.
“It’s not all one side. I think it’s a mix of the crowd, and it’s very similar to John (Cena) in terms of how you hear a split, and there’s a ton of women and kids that are huge fans and some of the guys booing, but people are still really buying Cody. And in the right moments, they do cheer him. And we saw that when he saved PAC from Malakai and Andrade.
“There was a huge Cody chant, and in that context, people were really excited to see him, and the truth is I do really think the people really like Cody. When John Cena was a full-time wrestler, he’s one of the all time great wrestling stars and people really liked to see him too.
“Of course, that reaction, in time, became more generally positive, but still, obviously, people only have grown to care more and more about John Cena. So I do think people are very emotionally invested in Cody one way or another, which is a very good thing.”
Rhodes has noted on many occasions that he has no intention of turning heel, recently stating that he’ll hang his boots up before he turns his back on the fans.
On Wednesday’s (November 3) edition of Dynamite, Rhodes was defeated by Andrade El Idolo, following interference by FTR.
Quote via WrestlingInc.
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