Matt Hardy Drops Bold Claim: “Cody Rhodes Is WWE’s Next John Cena”
Cody Rhodes has been on fire ever since his stunning WWE return — and now, one of wrestling’s most respected veterans believes he’s carrying the torch once held by John Cena.
‘The American Nightmare’ has grown into one of the top global performers, both inside and outside the ring. His journey reached a new high when he ended Roman Reigns’ historic reign at WrestleMania XL, cementing himself as WWE’s new face of the company.
Sure, not every step has been perfect. Fans were let down by his WrestleMania 41 showdown with John Cena earlier this year. But instead of crumbling, Cody regrouped. He took time off with his family, returned refreshed, and stormed through the King of the Ring tournament. By August, he was headlining SummerSlam, taking down Cena in a redemption match to reclaim the world championship. He didn’t stop there — just weeks ago, Rhodes toppled Drew McIntyre at Wrestlepalooza, proving he’s on another level.
Now, Matt Hardy — a legend in his own right — has gone on record saying Cody is the closest thing WWE has to Cena today.
“He’s the closest thing to Cena right now. Winning the title back from John just solidified it even more,” Hardy declared on his podcast.
Hardy also emphasized how much Rhodes inspires the next generation:
“For people just starting out, seeing Cody on top and ranked among the very best in the PWI 500 is motivating. That’s the level everyone dreams of reaching — being in the same class as the WWE World Champion.”
With Hardy’s stamp of approval and back-to-back headline victories, Cody Rhodes isn’t just WWE’s present — he’s shaping its future.
