Since returning to WWE at WrestleMania 38, Cody Rhodes has been in prominent storylines with top superstars like Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns.
In both storylines, Cody's father Dusty Rhodes has been mentioned throughout promos as Dusty is not only a legendary figure in the industry, but he helped shape and mold Seth and Roman during their time in NXT. Even in lesser feuds or one-off matches, Dusty's name has been used in promos to try and get under the skin of Cody.
Speaking to Kevin Kellam of WrestleBinge, Cody was asked about invoking Dusty's name in promos.
"Can't avoid it. Those nights when I make it clear that I'm not going to talk about Dusty at all is the night that the other guy talks about Dusty. Just recently, with Roman, I wasn't really interested in the idea of 'we're going to converse on my father,' but he has a very unique relationship, and had a very unique relationship with my father, so he's the one that took it up there. I'm always hip and keen to the amount of emotion that happens with me on television. Everything everyone has been watching since I came back at the Royal Rumble is real. In an industry where there is a suspension of disbelief and areas of gray, this is the most real anything has ever been, trying to win a title that my family never got. The last opportunity we got for it was in the late 70s. It's as real as it gets. Coming back from a very real injury, trying to make it to the Royal Rumble, surviving Gunther until I was able to eliminate him, very real. I like that. I prefer that. I have the responsibility, but also to a degree, the burden of the character that I play is myself. That's what makes 'finish the story' sound even better. It's a real story," said Cody.
During their promo on Friday's WWE SmackDown, Roman did a Dusty impression and discussed his relationship with the late "American Dream" including conversations where Cody wasn't mentioned.
Cody is set to challenge Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania 39.
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