Cody Rhodes is embracing being the 'quarterback' of WWE
WWE superstar Cody Rhodes’ day began in New York to appear on the ESPN morning shows promoting the upcoming premium live event, Elimination Chamber, which is on Feb. 28 at the United Center — WWE's first show at the United Center since 1994.
After wrapping up with ESPN’s “First Take,” Rhodes hopped on a plane and flew to Chicago for another round of interviews before leaving for Louisville, where WWE’s Friday show, “SmackDown,” is live from this week.
Such is life for WWE’s self-proclaimed quarterback. Rhodes, son of wrestling legend Dusty Rhodes, has been atop the totem pole since WrestleMania 40, when he beat Roman Reigns to win his first WWE Universal championship. For Rhodes, it was the ending to a years-long journey to prove to himself and the company that he could be a top guy after leaving in 2016 and triumphantly returning in 2022.
But after vanquishing Reigns and winning the championship, the work had just begun. He would be the guy sitting down for interviews to promote WWE, while also having to perform in the ring. But Rhodes loves everything that comes with being on top, even if it’s not all he expected it to be.
“I had a lifetime to prepare for being the quarterback, but it doesn't prepare you for it,” Rhodes told the Sun-Times. “It's a little lonely [at the top].
Rhodes said he’s leaned on director of talent relations Zach Maxwell, makeup artist Kristen Bachino and social media producer Matty Cox as he was in his “pursuit of greatness.”
“I wanted people to tell me what we needed to do, to tell me what was good, what was bad and field test things,” Rhodes said. “[I wanted people] to be together as we go into this new era of WWE .”
WWE, from a business standpoint, has had a fruitful past couple of years. In 2025, ESPN, according to the Wall Street Journal, signed a five-year, $1.6-billion contract with WWE to stream its premium live events across its platforms. That same year, WWE also agreed to a multiyear agreement with Netflix to host its flagship show, “Monday Night Raw,” and the WWE library of past premium live events.
Those deals have thrust WWE into the mainstream, and Rhodes is the face of it. Rhodes wants to help WWE reach new audiences. WWE holding the Elimination Chamber at the United Center — the company usually holds its events at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont — is another step toward showcasing the talent to a large audience. Keeping with his sports metaphors, Rhodes is excited for wrestling fans to see the talented newcomers on the main roster.
“Some people, I think you will be surprised that we have loaded the crew up with freshmen on the varsity team,” Rhodes said. “Oba Femi, Trick Williams and Jevon Evans, for example. Kit Wilson is also one out there pounding the pavement. If you're a fan or if you just like wrestling, you're looking forward to decades of good wrestling.”
Even as the new talent breaks in, the old guard isn’t ready to relinquish their high standing. WWE World Heavyweight Champion and Chicago native CM Punk has given no indication of retirement. Rhodes is still in the midst of his main-event run. In fact, he’s started to find himself that most good guys find themselves in WWE, in which they receive mixed reactions from the crowd.
But Rhodes has a history with Chicago. He — along with wrestlers Kenny Omega, and Matt and Nick Jackson — self-funded a pay-per-view at the NOW Arena that sold out within 30 minutes of tickets being on sale.
In 2022, Rhodes also wrestled a PLE match against Seth Rollins with a torn pec. Despite his history with Chicago, Rhodes said he expects this to be an “away game.” He refers to the jeers he hears from the crowd as “noise.” He was heavily booed in Germany this past January. Regardless of his crowd reaction, Rhodes can take a big-picture view. He's focused on delivering a great show to ensure WWE can return to the United Center.
“Fans are the most fun, unpredictable, chaotic and passionate bunch,” Rhodes said. “ I think you have to lean into their chaos a little. You can't try to be smarter than them. “In Germany, I heard for the first time, the ‘Let's go Cody, Cody sucks’ [chant], and I just couldn't believe it. I forgot where I was standing.
“But you never know in terms of the breakdown of the crowd. But I'm good with whatever they're gonna bring, because I know Chicago knows this is a special one. If you don't deliver when you're on the field, then [the fans] don't come back. You don't get to run the United Center. The building is smaller and smaller, but I think everyone delivers at Elimination Chamber."