“I Can’t Just Show Up”: Cody Rhodes Gets Brutally Honest About Feeling Like an Imposter at the Top
It sounds like a dream gig. You’re the face of the biggest wrestling company in the world, you’re holding the most important championship, and you’re about to headline WrestleMania for the fifth time in a row. For most people, that’s the mountaintop. But for Cody Rhodes, it still doesn’t feel like enough.
In a revealing new interview, The American Nightmare opened up about a surprising internal struggle: despite being the Undisputed WWE Champion and the poster boy for SmackDown, he admits he still doesn’t view himself as “the guy.”
During a candid chat with Chris Van Vliet, Rhodes was asked about the moment he truly felt he had arrived as the top star in the industry. His answer? It hasn’t happened yet.
While he acknowledges it helps that WWE places him front and center for major promotions and that his fellow wrestlers treat him as the leader of the locker room, Rhodes says that external validation isn’t the same as internal belief. He explained that being in that position comes with a pressure to over-deliver, not just to go through the motions.
“It’s helpful that I’m front and center on everything. And it’s helpful that my peers make you feel like you are,” Rhodes explained. “But you can’t just do it. You have to do it well.”
The champion reflected on a conversation with his friend Matt Cardona (formerly Zack Ryder), which gave him a new perspective on the work ethic required at the top. He emphasized that grinding behind the scenes isn’t enough if you can’t deliver when the camera is on.
“We have to stop having this chip on our shoulder about, ‘I did the most reps, I should be No. 1,'” Rhodes said. “Sometimes it’s about the actual content you deliver. Yes, if you can check every box and be a Hermione Granger try-hard like I am, great. But also in the moment when the red light is on, deliver.”
That final moment—the “red light” moment—is coming up fast for Rhodes. His path to this year’s WrestleMania was rocky; he lost his chance to become the number one contender in the main event of Night One. However, a late opportunity saw him reclaim the gold, proving he belonged.
Now, he faces a familiar and dangerous opponent. Following the rules of the Elimination Chamber, Randy Orton has earned the right to challenge for the title. As The Viper heads into his 21st WrestleMania—but only his third main event—he has made it clear he intends to silence the doubters and walk out with the championship.
For Cody, the challenge isn’t just about beating Randy Orton. It’s about proving to himself that he truly belongs in the spotlight he currently occupies.
