Cody Rhodes Shocks Fans: “Roman Reigns Made My WWE Career What It Is Today”

Cody Rhodes may be the reigning Undisputed WWE Champion, but even The American Nightmare admits one man still looms large over his career — Roman Reigns.

During a candid sit-down on ESPN’s First Take, Rhodes opened up about how The Tribal Chief helped shape his journey in WWE, even crediting Reigns for setting the stage for his current success.

“Roman Reigns Is the Standard”

Rhodes reflected on the years he spent away from WWE, watching Reigns dominate as the face of the company. Their eventual rivalry, he explained, was built on mutual respect rather than pure animosity.

“Roman keeps me sharp,” Rhodes admitted. “He pushes me to be better every single time. I hope he’s around WWE for years to come, because I need that challenge.”

The two have clashed as bitter enemies and even stood side by side. Fans still remember their brief but brutal alliance at Bad Blood, where Rhodes and Reigns teamed up to take down Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa.

Passing the Torch?

While he acknowledged Reigns’ impact, Rhodes is also keeping an eye on the future. On another ESPN appearance, this time on Unsportsmanlike, he gave a huge nod to Bron Breakker as the man who could one day take his spot.

“Bron has everything it takes to lead WWE into the next generation,” Rhodes said, hinting that he’s already preparing to help guide the next franchise star.

Living the Dream Their Fathers Envisioned

Rhodes also shared that he and Reigns have spoken privately about WWE’s massive growth into mainstream platforms like ESPN. To him, their careers are the continuation of a dream once carried by Dusty Rhodes and the Anoa’i family — to elevate wrestling into a true global attraction.

The Final Word

Cody Rhodes may be the champion today, but he isn’t shy about admitting the truth: Roman Reigns will always be the benchmark. Their rivalry isn’t just about titles — it’s about respect, legacy, and pushing each other to legendary heights.