At Saturday night’s 2024 WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view event, Cody Rhodes won the men’s Royal Rumble match after eliminating CM Punk. With the win, he becomes one of only a few wrestlers to win back-to-back Royal Rumble matches.
Speaking during the post-show media scrum, the American Nightmare was asked about the latest allegations levied against Vince McMahon that surfaced on Thursday.
Rhodes noted that while TKO Group took immediate action, the current WWE locker room is like a family and very team based. He went on to say that he hopes they hold each other accountable so something like this can be prevented from happening in the future.
You can check out some highlights from the media scrum below:
On his reaction to the Vince McMahon allegations: “I know as far as the news is concerned, we were finding it out, reading the same things that you guys were reading. As you said, a dark cloud, certainly. As far as TKO, Nick Khan, and the board, clearly took it very seriously, acted immediately.”
On how WWE can prevent something like the Vince McMahon situation from happening again: “Looking at the future, I don’t know the answer to that, and I think somewhere there is really a basic tenant of, this crew, more than ever, from a roster standpoint, is very family, never seem anything like this. Most of the time, wrestling locker rooms, fighting, talking trash about each other, making fun of each other, sandbagging each other in the ring, all that nonsense. This team is very team based. And perhaps that’s the ingredient, everyone looking out for everyone, being accountable. And I know, for me, as a performer, a competitor, I’ve been through dark periods in our industry before and it might sound cheesy but it’s very reinforcing if you’re in my position that it’s a time when, hey, we got 50,000 people out here, I want to give them something else from this weekend that isn’t a terrible situation, terrible news, and I think we were able to do that and obviously as more news comes out, we’ll be seeing it just like you do.”
Cody Rhodes Reflects on Winning Back-to-Back Royal Rumble Matches and Addresses Vince McMahon Allegations
At the 2024 WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view event, Cody Rhodes emerged victorious in the men’s Royal Rumble match, securing a back-to-back win by eliminating CM Punk. This achievement places Rhodes among the elite group of wrestlers who have accomplished this feat in the history of the event.
Following his triumph, Rhodes participated in a post-show media scrum where he was asked about the recent allegations against WWE chairman Vince McMahon that came to light on Thursday. Rhodes expressed his thoughts on the matter, highlighting the swift action taken by TKO Group, Nick Khan, and the board in response to the allegations.
Rhodes acknowledged that the news surrounding McMahon cast a dark cloud over the wrestling industry. However, he emphasized the unity and camaraderie within the current WWE locker room, describing it as a family and a team. He expressed his hope that the wrestlers will hold each other accountable to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
The American Nightmare admitted that he does not have all the answers regarding how WWE can avoid situations like the one involving McMahon. However, he pointed out that the unique dynamic of the current roster, characterized by a strong sense of teamwork and support, could be a crucial factor in preventing such incidents. Rhodes noted that unlike traditional wrestling locker rooms, where conflicts and rivalries are common, this team prioritizes looking out for one another and being accountable.
Reflecting on his own experiences in the industry, Rhodes mentioned that he has faced dark periods before. He acknowledged that during such times, it is essential to provide fans with positive moments and distractions from negative news. Rhodes expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to perform in front of thousands of fans and provide them with something uplifting amidst the turmoil.
As more news regarding the allegations against McMahon unfolds, Rhodes assured fans that he and his fellow wrestlers will be following the developments closely, just like the general public. He emphasized that they are all in the same boat, learning about the situation as it unfolds.
The media scrum provided a platform for Rhodes to share his thoughts on both his Royal Rumble victory and the allegations against McMahon. It showcased his professionalism and commitment to the wrestling industry, as well as his desire to maintain a positive environment within the WWE locker room.
Overall, Rhodes’ comments shed light on the importance of unity, accountability, and support within the wrestling community. His words reflect a desire for a safe and respectful environment for all wrestlers, where they can focus on entertaining fans and creating memorable moments in the ring.