Cody Rhodes didnt ignore the elephant in the room during WWE SmackDown on July 25. As the company honored Hulk Hogan following his death at age 71, Rhodes delivered a live tributebut didnt shy away from acknowledging the complicated nature of Hogans legacy.
Just before launching into his promo against John Cena for their SummerSlam clash, Rhodes paused to speak on Hogans impactand the layered reaction it continues to spark among fans and talent alike.
The line hit differently. While most of the nights tributes focused purely on Hogans careersuch as the 10-bell salute and an emotional video montage set to Real AmericanRhodes gave fans a moment of honesty. He recognized that not everyone sees Hogans legacy the same way, while still giving credit where credit is due.
Earlier in the night, Triple H opened the show alongside the full SmackDown roster and several WWE legends, honoring Hogan as one of the key figures who brought WWE to the forefront with Hulkamania. But it was Rhodes who subtly acknowledged the duality of Hogans legacyiconic and influential, but not without controversy.
As WWE continues its road to SummerSlam, Rhodes comment stands out as the most nuanced tribute of the nightone that respected the mans impact while recognizing the weight of his history.
Do you think Cody Rhodes struck the right tone with his tribute? Should more stars speak openly about complicated legacies like Hogans? Drop your thoughts in the comments.
