![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/John-Cena-30.jpg?width=600)
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/John-Cena-30.jpg?width=600)
Many rising superstars are often compared to wrestling legends like John Cena. Given the success of his gimmick among fans, WWE has tried to recreate it using the new generation of wrestlers. Cody Rhodes is deemed by fans to be one of the prototype versions of the ‘new John Cena’. This often keeps him under fire from various fans online, pointing out the similarities between the gimmicks. Not only gimmicks but a fan recently brought the netizens’ attention to the fact that Cody Rhodes’ promos and storylines are also similar to some of the iconic ones from John Cena’s career run.
Despite the fact that both the babyfaces have been the ‘Face of WWE’ during their career runs is the most visible similarity among them. There are many parallels drawn between the two superstars. While Cody Rhodes has earned his place in the hearts of the audience, he still receives criticism for walking in John Cena’s footsteps. Taking examples of three iconic moments from Cody Rhodes’ wrestling run in WWE, a fan posted it side by side against John Cena in similar positions.
One was the time when Rhodes lost at WrestleMania 39, sitting parallel to a lost Cenation Leader. Below it, there were parallels of both of the stars feuding against Brock Lesnar at one point in their career. At last, there was also an observable parallel between John Cena’s feud against Mark Henry and Rhodes getting beaten up by AJ Styles. Both of the heel stars had faked their retirement to assault the babyfaces.
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Cody Rhodes never has his own storylines.
Both segments were great and I like when they redo old storylines but WWE trying way too hard to make him John Cena 😭#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/mgGRoyjliD
— TribaI Wrestling (@TribalMegastar) June 1, 2024
As the tweet went viral, several fans gathered in the comments. While some defended the WWE Undisputed Universal Champion, many of the commenters criticized him.
Fans not happy with similarities between John Cena and Cody Rhodes’ career
Under the post that was uploaded by a WWE fan on Twitter, several social media users gathered and showed conformity to the belief that Cody Rhodes’ gimmick ideas take heavy inspiration from John Cena.
I know bro wtf😂😂😂😂
— Wadley Marcelin (@MarcelinWa66208) June 1, 2024
Many fans came to comment that they agreed with the similarity between the career trajectories of the two superstars. However, as the user who posted the similarity started getting hate for being a Roman Reigns fan, a handful of social media users came forward to defend the account, saying it was an accurate comparison.
They’re booing you, but this is probably the closest to accurate that you’ve ever been.
— lucí🃏 (@whatalosr13) June 1, 2024
Although we are not sure whether Rhodes is the one behind the ‘inspired’ promos and scenes, he is getting all the heat from fans, despite the potential involvement of the creative department. Someone took this opportunity to rant about the pro wrestling industry, claiming that it’s all repetitive. Since almost all the storylines follow a set pattern, things are bound to get repetitive.
They literally made Roman Reigns Evolution Triple H man, nothing in wrestling is new, it’s all been done before
— Phenomenal (@StylesGargano) June 1, 2024
This logic may apply to the summer PLE this year. Who might be Cody Rhodes’ pick if this is the case? Some fans already speculate that Gunther could steal away his title, and The American Nightmare has already shown an interest in wrestling against him. If the parallels match here as well, we could see his title reign coming to an end already.
so by this logic summerslam match he be selecting his opponent same as cena did with daniel bryan at summerslam 2013
— Sholtoz (@SholtozYT) June 1, 2024
Another angered viewer was fed up with watching the same stories and gimmicks over and over again. There seems to be no solution to this yet. However, promotions can make things interesting by not letting the scenes become parallel without a deeper meaning behind them.
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They literally copy stories all the time. It’s not exclusive to Cody
— Demitrius Covington (@AvengerCovin1) June 1, 2024
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Do you also believe that Cody Rhodes is trying to copy John Cena? Drop your views in the comments below.