From 2016 to 2022, Cody Rhodes ventured outside of the WWE, becoming one of the top stars in the business and helping form AEW.
At WrestleMania 38, Cody returned to WWE as the mystery opponent for Seth Rollins. After leaving the company in 2016, Cody established himself as the American Nightmare on the independent scene and in AEW. As part of his 2022 return, Cody brought the American Nightmare persona and presentation to the company.
Speaking on WWE After The Bell, Cody was asked what he appreciated in WWE during his days away and following his return.
"The things I appreciate in WWE is, it's almost like we're tailor-made for each other in that I'm a bit of a control freak. I want to really have a say in what my merch [merchandise] will look like. I also want to see how well that's doing in every single market, not just the general conversation once a week, not unlike I watched Cena [John Cena] do. Not just that, but everything with the presentation, all of these things that I felt like I had to do myself, there is a department at WWE that wanted to do it and knew how to do it better than me. That appreciation, I didn't have as a kid. I'll be honest, when I was here the first time, went like two years before I introduced myself to Marty the cameraman, two years before I knew Stu on the floor by name. I was immature and flying at a million miles an hour and not knowing what's what and how important everybody is. At the end of the night, I stay a little longer, perhaps more than production wants, but at WWE, that's a big thing I appreciate, how accommodating they are in terms of 'the big machine.' It is an unbelievably well-oiled machine. There's Vince [Vince McMahon], Hunter [Triple H], and plenty of top brass, but I'll tell you a guy who I feel gave me the keys to the kingdom was Nick Khan. I feel he really gave me the keys to the kingdom when I signed and ever since then, every department, everybody, I have such an appreciation for that. They aren't nine to fivers. They live it and breathe it. I kind of don't love the nine to fivers who say, 'it's done for the day' and put it away. This is a passion industry, a passion job. Nine to five doesn't work for me. I'm texting people at 11. Poor [VP of Creative Writing] Ryan Ward, getting texts from me, he's probably on vacation. I have such an appreciation for the machine, how accommodating the machine has been for me," said Rhodes.
Rhodes is set to be part of WWE Payback as a guest of Grayson Waller on the Grayson Waller Effect. Fans can check out the current lineup for the show by clicking here.
Elsewhere during the interview, Rhodes discussed what he misses from his time away from WWE. You can find his thoughts by clicking here.
If you use any of the quotes above, please credit the original source with a h/t and link back to Fightful for the transcription.
