Paul Heyman Opens Up About Cody Rhodes “Emotional Baggage” Growing Up in the “Shadow of a National Monument”

Growing up with famous parents is often tough, and recently Paul Heyman showed the world why. The American Nightmare Cody Rhodes is a second-generation wrestler from the legendary Rhodes wrestling family. Rhodes’ father Dusty Rhodes was arguably one of the greatest performers, and the 37-year-old took inspiration from him.

However, during a podcast interview, Heyman opened up about the emotional baggage Cody Rhodes grew up with. He would get all no-holds-barred on Rhodes’ childhood, and life growing up. The 57-year-old Heyman repeatedly took shots at Rhodes’ life growing up.

What ’emotional baggage’ did Paul Heyman claim while speaking about Cody Rhodes’ early life?

From a very young age, Rhodes joined the professional wrestling business under the guidance of his brother and father. Both his brother and father were two of the greatest in-ring performers, and the 37-year-old learned from the best.

However, Heyman claimed that since Dusty Rhodes was a popular figure, Cody Rhodes did not get to spend quality time with him, and always missed his presence. He even claimed that he had to share his father with the world, including his own-brother Dustin Rhodes.

Heyman said, “Here’s Cody who not only had to grow up understanding that he had to share his father with the world…He had to share his father with people in the same industry he was going into which makes it even harder.” 

Heyman would also refer to a line from Jane Fonda’s documentary, “I grew up in the shadows of a national monument.” The wiseman of WWE stated, “Cody Rhodes grew up in the shadow of a national monument. And he had to share access to that monument with everybody… It’s impossible to shape that emotional baggage and here’s what makes it worse, the parent isn’t even there to talk to you about. Dusty isn’t here. Cody can’t talk to him about it.”

He further said, “So, weirdly this truthful emotional baggage on Cody that he can’t do nothing about. He can’t escape, he’s boxed in. That’s why I came up with the line on television, ‘the truth shall not set you free, it’s going to imprison your soul.'”

Read more: Roman Reigns Wants 37-Year-Old Top Star to Be ‘The Next Tribal Chief’, and It’s Not Solo Sikoa

Heyman would brutally criticize Rhodes’ childhood and consistently emphasized the emotional baggage he had while growing up. It is true having a famous parent is tough since you do not get them around all the time. But being Dusty Rhodes’ son, also shaped up Cody Rhodes’ career for the better as evidenced by the big plans WWE has in store for Rhodes.

What has WWE planned for Cody Rhodes next?

With Roman Reigns now involved in a feud with his cousins, it seems Cody Rhodes is currently out of the title picture. At SummerSlam 2023, WWE is planning to go ahead with Brock Lesnar vs Cody Rhodes III. However, this time, a stipulation is in store for the trilogy bout.

Rumors suggest that Lesnar and Rhodes could engage in a bull-rope match. Both Lesnar and Rhodes’ feud has taken an extremely violent turn, and a bull-rope match is something that could bring an end to their rivalry. Although there is no confirmation yet, fans expect to see the two take on each other in another bloody bout.

Watch This Story | Dwayne Johnson’s Daughter Simone to The Undertaker’s Daughter Kaia – Meet Daughters of Top WWE Stars

Do you think Cody Rhodes’ lack of emotions will come to his aid while battling The Beast Incarnate Brock Lesnar, and finally bring an end to his violent feud? What did you make of Heyman’s comment about Rhodes? Let us know in the comments section below.