Add as a preferred source on Google Cody Rhodes, the current Undisputed WWE Champion, revealed a curious legal issue he dealt with during his first WWE run, involving Nintendo and The Legend of Zelda.
During his podcast, What Do You Wanna Talk About?, alongside Kit Wilson, Rhodes shared that he was hit with a notice from the Japanese company after using the Triforce symbol on his wrestling boots.
“I got a cease and desist [notice] from Nintendo. It was very kind. It was polite. They weren’t coming after anybody. They’re friendly. I’m not the first guy to have the Triforce. I thought the principles of the Triforce, which are power, courage, and wisdom—and for those who don’t know, Zelda’s the wise one, obviously Link is the one who’s got the courage, and power is Gannon.”
“They make up the three parts of the Triforce, that’s the whole deal. And I just liked the idea of thinking and leaning towards your own wisdom or what you’ve learned and applying it, of being ambitious and wanting to be powerful, in a world that’s competitive of sports and sports entertainment, and then having the courage to do it.” h/t F4wonline
Despite the warning, Rhodes made it clear that the symbol held personal meaning. He explained that he saw power, courage, and wisdom — the three elements of the Triforce — as principles he could apply to pro-wrestling. Beyond the boots, Rhodes also has a Triforce tattoo on one of his fingers, showing that his connection to the franchise goes beyond a simple visual reference.
It’s worth remembering that Rhodes’ relationship with Zelda isn’t new. In a 2008 issue of WWE Magazine, he had already shown off the boots and revealed that he used to replay The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past every year.