WWE Champion Cody Rhodes has opened up about his previous departure from the company, explaining how he found the confidence to leave.
Rhodes announced that he had requested his release from WWE on May 21, 2016.
This moment effectively changed wrestling history, with the Grandson of a Plumber going on to establish his American Nightmare character away from the company, and hold the inaugural All In event which would lead to the formation of AEW.
Speaking on the Rich Eisen Show, Cody Rhodes stated that he only became confident after seeing the fans supporting him.
When asked what made him so confident that he could go out on his own and raise his profile, Rhodes responded:
“When I left, when I put my statement out, when I hadn’t even signed my release papers, when I just walked, when the world mobilized on social media to support me, and then the list comes out, here’s who I’m going to be wrestling.
“Not only did they support me on socials, they did so with their own wallets and came to these small shows. It was a very big bluff, this is a big card game, and it was a big bluff.
“The suit and ties, the braggadocio, the confidence, all of it ceased being a bluff the moment the fans actually stood behind me. I’m very much propped up by that fandom, and I’ve continued to be through every endeavor I took.
“The only thing I can say for those who are out there and they’re wanting to do more, it’s easy for me to say it now having got to the top of the mountain in the wrestling space and trying to build a new mountain. Then, it was a matter of surrounding myself with people who would support me.”
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It’s fair to say that Cody Rhodes raised his profile, with the star having the “champagne problem” – as he described it – of carrying multiple versions of the WWE Championship belt when he travels for appearances.
Cody Rhodes has also revealed his plans for after his eventual WWE retirement, click here to read more.
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