When Cody Rhodes left WWE in 2016, the champion did not expect to make a triumphant return six years later at WrestleMania 38. During one of the biggest sporting events of the year, the American Nightmare defeated Seth Rollins and arrived on the platform in style.

In the recently released documentary about his life, he revealed the emotions that were at play during the pivotal bout. Racer and wrestling fan, Dale Earnhardt Jr, sat down with Rhodes to discuss the fanfare surrounding his return.

WWE superstar Cody Rhodes makes a stricken confession to Dale Earnhardt Jr

Dale Earnhardt Jr has been vocal about his fondness for WWE. In a post that went viral, Dale Jr shared his memories of watching Dusty Rhodes in the 80s and his experience of attending WWE Raw in person last year. The Hall of Famer had his own fanboy moment when he spoke to Dusty’s son, Cody Rhodes, in his podcast.

Rhodes had left WWE on sour notes and joined a rival company, All Elite Wrestling. In The Dale Jr. Download, the racer enquired about Rhodes’ state of mind while entering the event in front of a packed audience.

“You don’t consider this unless you get a chance to sit down and really talk to a wrestler. But you’re getting ready to go out for the match. You have been gone for months. And there’s this fear in your gut that they’re not going to remember you. I never even considered, I never considered that.”

Rhodes voiced his concerns about the response because of the strained relationship between the organizations after his departure. “So I had this experience going when I returned coming to WrestleMania. I was, and we got 80,000-something people AT&T stadium. I was very concerned they would be indifferent or they would boo. They had every right to boo.

I had left, started a completely rival promotion, ragged them, made fun of them, criticized them. I mean, I had gone in. So they had every right to boo.”

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He further admitted that he was afraid for the safety of his family and made backup plans for a hostile reception. “I mean, I told my wife, it’s in a couple of the backstage clips, I said, ‘If it goes awry, go to the bus’,” he admitted.

As it turned out, the fears were unfounded.

Cody Rhodes reveals his overwhelming WWE welcome

Dale Jr mentioned in the conversation that the racer could not compare the wrestler’s return to anything correlated with NASCAR. He was curious to uncover the source of confidence and strength it took for Rhodes to face a sea of people after a prolonged absence.

In his response, Rhodes was candid about his initial reaction to the standing ovation he received. He elaborated upon his state of unmoving shock when he entered the arena. “You mentioned the confidence that you have when you walk out there and this is how it’s supposed to be. I legit was almost frozen when I came up on this thing lovingly called the CodyVator,  just a little elevator.

I came up on it and I was genuinely frozen, not in fear but in, ‘Oh, man! They’re excited about me being here.”

Junior was genuinely mystified when he asked the wrestler, “How could you not know?” Rhodes confirmed that he knew about the rumors circulating regarding his return, but the unexpected outpouring of affection confounded him. He recalled, “Oh my gosh! The signs! I mean they had a sense I was coming. But just this love, it was love!”

Dale Jr spoke on behalf of all his fans when he stated, “That moment man, gives you chills when you watch it.”

Perhaps Junior would treat both NASCAR and WWE fans by witnessing Rhodes live in the upcoming WrestleMania 40.

Read More: 5 Months After the Bloodline Denied Breaking WWE Family Curse, Cody Rhodes Subtly Slips His Opinion on NASCAR to Dale Earnhardt Jr.