Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes recently made a damning admission on the latest edition of Friday Night SmackDown. The American Nightmare talked about what separates him from other wrestlers in the business.
Cody Rhodes has been in a heated feud with Drew McIntyre for quite some time now. The two have locked horns on multiple occasions, but Rhodes has always been one step ahead of his opponent. However, on the January 9, 2026 edition of WWE SmackDown, The American Nightmare is set for his biggest hurdle yet, as he is set to face The Scottish Warrior in a Three Stages of Hell Match.
On this week’s SmackDown, Rhodes came out to cut a promo before McIntyre revealed the stipulation for their Three Stages of Hell Match. During the segment, The American Nightmare made a damning admission, saying that as a second-generation wrestler, he was shocked to “find out” that he was no longer young and was getting old.
Rhodes also highlighted that he was the Undisputed WWE Champion despite not being the strongest or the biggest wrestler because of his mentality inside the ring.
“How does one obtain the richest prize and the most sought-after belt in the history of pro wrestling and sports entertainment? Now, I’m not the biggest. I’m not the fastest. I’m not the strongest. And as a second-generation who came up in this business, it shocks me these days to find out that I’m not the youngest. But what separates me is simple. I’d love to say it’s my heart, but no, it is my mentality when approaching anybody in a WWE ring,” he said.
OH NO ðŸ˜@DMcIntyreWWE just lit a photo of @CodyRhodes and Dusty Rhodes on fire! pic.twitter.com/sxiekDl2tk
— WWE (@WWE) January 3, 2026
It remains to be seen what the Triple H-led creative team has planned for Drew McIntyre vs. Cody Rhodes on January 9, 2026.
