Harsh Criticism About Father Dusty Rhodes Took an Emotional Toll on Cody Rhodes and His Family: “As a Kid, I Saw a Lot of Things Written About My Dad..”

There is hardly any Cody Rhodes fan who has not been over the moon since his historic win in WWE Men’s Royal Rumble 2023. Last year, On his Raw return, Cody cut an emotional promo talking about his father’s unfinished dream of winning the WWE Championship title. He mentioned how he promised his late father to win the title and put it in his hand one day.

In order to keep his word, the WWE superstar pushed himself one step ahead of the aim with his phenomenal victory in the Royal Rumble. But there’s more depth to the story. Recently, the star shared how his father’s career and the criticism of it affected him from the very beginning.

Cody Rhodes felt all his father’s hardship as a child

Cody Rhodes’ Royal Rumble victory was indeed memorable in regard to his professional excellence. But what makes it more special is the emotional note behind it. His legendary father, Dusty Rhodes, was an unforgettable name in the WWE world. Fans still remember him as one of the best in his era. Despite all this, he had to undergo many harsh comments and criticism throughout his career. Cody, being emotionally close to his father, used to absorb all the negative words thrown against him.

During the latest podcast episode of WWE After The Bell with Corey Graves, the Royal Rumble winner poured his heart out regarding how all those negative comments about his father actually fueled his hunger as a wrestler. ”As a kid, I saw a lot of the things written about my dad after his career and he never sweat them because he had been to the top, right? He had tasted it, Dusty Dusty was one of the biggest stars in the history of the business and top five most in terms of currently still, I’d say inspirational or I’m not sure if it works his influence”, Cody stated.

Read more: Cody Rhodes Addresses His Untelevised 4-Word Message for Father Dusty Rhodes After Royal Rumble Glory: ’I’m Glad Somebody Caught It”

Addressing how it affects him as a kid, Cody added, ”Massive on, this is for business. A 100 Percent the footprint of what he left behind is something. But as a kid reading, some of these are professional outlets that would call him like a flat slob and staff as a kid again. He didn’t sweat it and I wish I had spoke to him about it but I sweat it.”

Cody’s special unnoticed message for his father

The entire WWE world rejoiced with Cody Rhodes when he dumped Gunther over the top rope and earned a shot at the belt. It was more of a son’s victory than a professional wrestler’s victory. A fan caught the former Intercontinental Champion murmuring ‘I did it dad’ during a surreal moment after winning.

However, an emotional Cody is just one step away to reach his father’s unaccomplished dream. Fans, meanwhile, set their eyes on the big prize. Now only time will decide the ultimate fate of Rhodes and his millions of fans.

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