In an interview with Cheap Heat (via Fightful), Cody Rhodes spoke about something Paul Heyman said about his return allowing for the return of traditional babyfaces in WWE. He also commented on his upcoming match at AJ Styles at Backlash this weekend. Here are highlights:
On the return of the traditional babyface: “I heard Mr. Heyman say this and I know it’s true because he didn’t tell me directly. A byproduct of my return, he said, this is his words, it allowed the traditional babyface to come back. They were growing elsewhere, these babyfaces. Two prime examples are Sami Zayn and Jey Uso, who is now the face, with Seth [Seth Rollins], the face of Monday Night Raw. I know he didn’t tell me that directly, and never will, but that felt like, ‘What a cool thing to maybe be able to claim. You were helpful in bringing that in.’ I know there are people who are like, ‘they’re going to start booing him.’ At this point, you’re right, because you play the game for over two years. At a certain point, I feel like it’s an odd thing to say you’re right when you’ve spent the last few years saying it would happen and it didn’t happen. I don’t know where the peak of this is. I think some people look at WrestleMania and go, ‘Maybe that was the peak. Maybe that was it.’ I would disagree and I’m going to point to a sold out Backlash in France. That’s the opportunity for me.”
On his match with AJ Styles: “I told AJ Styles, this is a dream match for some people, sure. To me, it’s a legit must win. Not just must win, but must dominate. Must show something. Whether you loved Roman or didn’t like Roman, Roman has been your champ for three years. Now we’re looking, here is the guy closing the shows. How is he going to close the shows? What is he going to be like? Was it just for that moment or is there more? I’d like to let people know there is so much more meat on the bone. There is so much more to me and this run is the chance to validate it. It’s the mindset of ‘you’re never doing enough. Have to keep going.’ Everyone I know who is successful has that mindset and that’s where I’m at.”
