Cody Rhodes isnt interested in being the tough guy just for show anymoreand according to him, WWE isnt either.
Speaking on All The Smoke with Matt Barnes, the Undisputed WWE Champion opened up about the brutal Hell in a Cell match in 2022 where he fought Seth Rollins with a torn pectoral tendon. The match has gone down as one of Rhodes most iconic performancesbut it wasnt fueled by painkillers or ego. Rhodes revealed that WWEs current stance on medication and in-ring safety is stricter than ever.
Rhodes recalled that WWE officials were watching closely during the match and were ready to end it at any moment if things got out of hand.
He added that he was on edge the entire time:
That performance became even more symbolic after their most recent bout at Crown Jewel, where Rollins reportedly tore his rotator cuff in the ringan injury that forced creative changes on Raw and threw off WWEs original Survivor Series plans.
Rhodes made it clear that his Hell in a Cell match may have been the last of its kind in WWE, emphasizing how the industry has changed for the better.
According to reports from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Rollins was originally supposed to face CM Punk at Saturday Nights Main Event before leading the heel team in WarGames at Survivor Series. His injury changed that entire trajectory.
Rhodes comments mark a pivotal look into how WWE has moved past the outdated culture of pain tolerance and pushed toward athlete longevity and safety.
What do you think about Cody Rhodes take on WWEs injury culture? Do you believe todays wrestlers should be more cautious or is the old-school toughness still necessary? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
