Ex-WWE Star Warns of Backstage Resentment Over Cody Rhodes’ Inconsistent Finishers

Cody Rhodes has been the face of WWE for a long time now and being the Undisputed WWE Champion, it’s evident he will be more protected than others. However, a former WWE star believes Cody Rhodes using multiple finishers for some wrestlers but only one for others could cause issues backstage.

While speaking on The Stevie Richards Show, Richards’ co-host James Romero brought up concerns fans have about Cody Rhodes, namely the fact that Rhodes kicks out of too many finishers and that he needs three or four Cross Rhodes to defeat some opponents.

Stevie Richards was asked whether Cody Rhodes was part of the problem due to the way he uses his finisher. Richards stated that Cody often has to hit the move three or four times to beat some wrestlers but only uses it once to beat others, like Chad Gable. Richards points out that this can make Gable look weaker, even if the match was really good.

“Is Cody Rhodes part of the problem? I don’t think Cody’s the one coming up with the idea of hitting his finish three times on people. For example, I think he hit it just once on Chad Gable. I brought up that point before—why does he hit it three to four times on everybody else? What does that make Chad Gable look like? If you only need one to beat him, it hurts Chad Gable, no matter how great the match was.”

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Richards explains that this could create bad feelings among the wrestlers. For example, if Gable asked Cody to hit him with three finishers but Cody only used one, Gable might feel disrespected and could think Rhodes or WWE doesn’t believe he is tough enough to take multiple finishers.

“You know what I mean? It hurts when the talent starts thinking like that. For all we know, Chad Gable might have said, ‘Hey, hit me with three,’ and Cody said, ‘No, I’m just going to do one.’ Then Chad might think, ‘Oh, is that what you think of me? Is that what the office thinks of me—that I’m not good enough or tough enough to take three?'”

Richards also stated this inconsistency could lead other wrestlers to wonder why Cody treats some opponents differently and fosters resentment. They might feel like they’re being undervalued and not over enough if Cody Rhodes uses fewer finishers against them. To avoid this, Richards believes Cody should keep things consistent and treat all opponents the same. Otherwise, it could cause problems and tension backstage.

It fosters resentment because now, across the board, Cody would have to hit it three times to keep things consistent. I brought that up before: the talent might not say it to him directly, but they could be whispering, ‘What’s the deal? Why do I get just one, and everyone else gets three or four? Are you saying I’m not over?’ This is the real slippery slope of this kind of decision-making.”

In the meantime, Cody Rhodes is set to square off against Kevin Owens in a ladder match at the Royal Rumble next month. Regardless, we’ll have to see whether Rhodes will be more consistent when it comes to using his finisher, as fans feel that is a necessity right now.

What do you think about Cody Rhodes’ use of the Cross Rhodes? Do you agree with Stevie Richards’ concerns about consistency?  Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comments section below.

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