Cody Rhodes: Wrestling Needs Both Storytelling & In-Ring Work | WWE News
The debate between prioritizing compelling storylines and high-impact in-ring action is a perennial one in professional wrestling. Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes recently offered his perspective, arguing that the two elements aren’t mutually exclusive, but rather, are most effective when working in tandem. Rhodes shared his thoughts during a conversation with Matt Cardona on Cardona’s “What Do You Wanna Talk About?” podcast.
Rhodes believes that a successful wrestling presentation requires a balance between captivating narratives and impressive athletic displays. “There’s such an argument online about, ‘Oh, the spots. Oh, the storytelling. Cinema versus… And I don’t think people realize it’s both. And when it’s everything, it works,” he explained. He illustrated this point with an example from his own experience, recalling a tag team match he participated in after wrestling Ethan Page. While he felt the match itself was strong and generated a reaction from the crowd, a subsequent match with less narrative weight received a significantly less enthusiastic response, despite the performers’ efforts.
“I remember there was a tag match that followed me one time. I had wrestled Ethan Page, and I thought we did a great job. And we had a crowd that was already a little contentious, and I was getting boos; things were happening. But I knew we killed it. But then there was a match that followed us, and six people on X liked it. It was indulgent; there was no story to it. They worked super hard; it wasn’t a matter of [them] not working,” Rhodes said.
The conversation also touched upon the increasingly popular, and often brutal, world of deathmatches. Rhodes emphasized that even in this extreme style of wrestling, a compelling story is crucial. He referenced Matt Cardona’s own 2021 match against Nick Gage for Game Changer Wrestling, noting that the match’s impact was heightened by the pre-existing narrative. “If you’re going to do the death match, as we’re talking about here [Matt Cardona vs. Nick Gage for Game Changer Wrestling in 2021], and we don’t have to circle this forever, if there’s not a story, then it’s just indulgent. And that’s why I kind of have liked the ones that I’ve seen [because there’s been a story].”
Rhodes further highlighted the importance of wrestlers forging a genuine connection with fans in the current wrestling landscape. He believes that understanding a performer’s personality and motivations enhances the enjoyment of their in-ring work. He used Je’Von Evans as an example, stating that getting to know Evans makes his innovative style even more appealing. “There’s a connection to it. And I feel like that’s something that has been very hard to say. You know how everything is so polarizing now; you’re either on one side of the fence. It’s crazy when you sit in the middle. Like, Je’Von [Evans] right now has got a reinventive style. But getting to know Je’Von makes you even more excited about the reinventive style. Getting to know Je’Von gets you more excited about the dumb thing he’s going to do. Because now you have a hope that, ‘I hope he hits it. Oh, man.’
“You know, versus indulgence and just doing it for the sake of doing it,” Rhodes continued. He acknowledged the historical resistance to prioritizing storytelling over pure wrestling skill, referencing the often-cited argument from veteran wrestlers that “it’s not about the five stars.” However, he countered that a truly successful wrestling presentation incorporates both elements. “I feel very on a high horse over all this and I’m not trying to be, but you know, because the traditional-time guys are like, ‘Well, it’s not about the five stars.’ They build it so contentious right out of the gate. It’s not. It’s everything, if that makes any sense.”
Rhodes’ comments arrive at a time when professional wrestling is experiencing a period of creative experimentation and a renewed focus on character development. His emphasis on the symbiotic relationship between storytelling and in-ring action reflects a broader trend within the industry, as promotions seek to deliver a more holistic and engaging experience for fans. The conversation with Cardona, which took place on , provides a valuable insight into the mindset of one of the industry’s top stars and his vision for the future of professional wrestling.
The full conversation between Cody Rhodes and Matt Cardona is available on the “What Do You Wanna Talk About?” podcast.