Rhodes Fires Back: “No Controversy” in Elimination Chamber Berth

Rhodes Fires Back: “No Controversy” in Elimination Chamber Berth

The road to WrestleMania is paved with contention, and Cody Rhodes is ready to silence the doubters. Fresh off securing his spot in the upcoming Elimination Chamber match, Rhodes addressed the whispers of controversy surrounding his qualification, particularly the involvement of Drew McIntyre. Speaking on ESPN’s First Take, Rhodes firmly rejected the notion that his entry was unfair, framing it instead as a strategic advantage seized in the heat of battle.

Strategic Advantage, Not Unfair Play

The debate ignited following an incident where Drew McIntyre’s actions inadvertently aided Rhodes’ qualification. “I wouldn’t say any controversy because Drew only attacked two people in the match which was myself and Jacob Fatu,” Rhodes explained. “I just took advantage of the fact that Sami Zayn turned his back again. This is very much just from a sports perspective whistle had not blown. So, maybe not underhanded in any way. I don’t call that controversial.” He emphasized that in the fast-paced world of WWE, capitalizing on an opponent’s misstep is simply part of the game, a sentiment echoed by the show’s hosts.

Setting Sights on Elimination Chamber Opponents

With the field officially set for the Elimination Chamber match, the conversation shifted to potential adversaries within the unforgiving structure. When asked who he was most looking forward to eliminating, Rhodes didn’t hesitate. “Well, I already eliminated him from the Royal Rumble, so I want to go two for two, and that would be Trick W,” he stated, referencing the breakout WWE star. “He’s clearly a massive breakout star for us and he’s incredibly entertaining with his lemon pepper steppers and all this stuff. I hope he makes it here at some point but he needs… not yet. So I hope I can get him again.” The interviewer recalled Trick W’s memorable appearance on First Take, complete with his signature lemon pepper steppers and a striking white fur coat, which coincidentally blended with a snowstorm during his visit.

Closing the Loop on McIntyre and WrestleMania Dreams

The ultimate prize for winning the Elimination Chamber match is a shot at the WWE Championship, currently held by Drew McIntyre, who famously defeated Rhodes for the title in January. The prospect of a rematch and potential revenge is a significant motivator for Rhodes. “I think you want to close the loop,” he mused. “And I think this year more for me, I mean, I’m seeing all the WrestleMania sign everywhere and not being able to point at it when the years before I had won the Royal Rumble or even last year going into it, I was the incumbent champion. This year, it’s really up in the air for me and it’s tumultuous and you’re on that chase. So, just to be able to point at the WrestleMania sign and know I’m going to go in and do another WrestleMania main event means a lot to me.” While acknowledging McIntyre as a formidable opponent, Rhodes expressed a strong desire to settle their ongoing rivalry. “Drew McIntyre, great. It doesn’t matter who it’s against, but I’d love to close the loop on Drew because we’ve been fighting each other for quite some time.”

A Chicago Connection and the Echoes of Jordan

The Elimination Chamber event is set to take place at the United Center in Chicago, a venue Rhodes has never competed in before. He expressed excitement about the historical significance of the building, particularly its connection to basketball legend Michael Jordan. “I want to see the Jordan statue. I want I want to see that,” Rhodes said. He anticipates a raucous atmosphere, describing it as “people upon people, pandemonium as a Gorilla Monsoon would say.” Rhodes acknowledged that Chicago might feel like an “away game” for him but highlighted his positive past experiences in the city. “I’ve always had a good bond with Chicago. I had wrestled there with my torch peek. I had done other events there that were very important to my career. So looking forward to another building.” The interviewer chimed in, noting the palpable aura of the United Center and the confidence it instills, comparing it to the feeling one gets seeing the Jordan statue.

Reflections on Departures and Hopes for New Beginnings

The discussion also touched upon the recent wave of retirements in WWE, including AJ Styles and John Cena. Rhodes expressed a sentiment of weariness with seeing so many iconic figures step away from the ring. “I don’t want any more retirements. We’re saying goodbye way too much to too many people,” he stated. He lauded AJ Styles’ incredible career, noting his unique ability to compete against multiple generations of wrestlers, including Rhodes’ own father and brother. The tribute to Styles, which included a surprise Hall of Fame induction and the appearance of The Undertaker, was described as a “really beautiful way to go out.” Rhodes also commented on Gunther’s recent dominance, jokingly referring to him as a “career killer” after seeing both John Cena and AJ Styles fall to him. “Hopefully, someone can put an end to that, but I don’t want any retirements for a while. Let’s do debuts.”

Venturing into Hollywood and Dream Collaborations

Beyond the squared circle, Rhodes is also expanding his horizons into acting, with appearances in “Naked Gun” and the upcoming “Street Fighter.” When asked about a dream collaboration in Hollywood, Rhodes immediately named Andy Garcia. “He’s got a little bit of synergy with the cigars that I like as well,” Rhodes quipped. “And I just my head exploded when I saw him on “Land.” Man, he’s incredible. I’ve liked everything Andy Garcia has ever done. I’d love to smoke a cigar and do any scene, even if he’s just beating me up.” He quickly retracted the latter part, giving himself more credit as an actor.

Looking Ahead: Elimination Chamber and WrestleMania

The 16th annual WWE Elimination Chamber is set to emanate from the United Center in Chicago this Saturday. With a coveted spot in the men’s and women’s championship matches at WrestleMania 40 on the line, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Fans can stream the event exclusively on the ESPN Unlimited app, with coverage beginning at 7 PM Eastern / 4 PM Pacific.

Source: Cody Rhodes is BLOCKING OUT THE HATERS who question how he got to Elimination Chamber 🚫 | First Take (YouTube)