Follow on Google News Speaking on the What Do You Wanna Talk About? podcast, Cody Rhodes detailed the backstage setup for his WrestleMania 27 match against Rey Mysterio. After Dean Malenko informed Rhodes he was Mysterio’s chosen opponent, Mysterio confirmed by asking, “You wanna go in?”, but then ceased all communication.
Rhodes noted Mysterio ignored his messages for over a week. Despite the silence, Rhodes prepared a laminated outline. Mysterio unexpectedly pulled him into Vince McMahon’s office to pitch the bout. Rhodes handed McMahon the presentation, prompting the chairman to approve the match by stating, “Okay, we’ll do it.”
The resulting 12-minute match on April 3, 2011, solidified Rhodes’ heel turn after dropping his “Dashing” gimmick. The feud stemmed from Mysterio breaking Rhodes’ nose in January. Rhodes secured a clean pinfall victory following a Cross Rhodes, having struck Mysterio in mid-air with his own knee brace.
Currently, Rhodes is slated for the 2026 Men’s Elimination Chamber. He qualified by defeating Jacob Fatu and Sami Zayn on SmackDown. Rhodes joins Randy Orton, LA Knight, and Je’Von Evans inside the structure, competing for an Undisputed WWE Championship match against Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania 42.