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Rhodes revealed how the current WWE roster was quite competitive when it came to improving and maintaining one’s fitness and also opined that the fans have the right to call out the physiques of the wrestlers.
Cody Rhodes. (Pic Credit: WWE)
WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes has given a bold opinion on a wrestler’s fitness in the company. The American Nightmare is set to take on Gunther at WWE Crown Jewel 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Days ahead of the blockbuster clash, Rhodes appeared on an episode of FLAGRANT on YouTube. He touched upon various topics including the fitness of individuals competing in the wrestling business.
“You’ll hear fans like, ‘You can’t body shame wrestlers.’ What are you talking about? We’re standing there half-naked and you paid hundreds of dollars to sit there, you can body shame me all you want,” he said.
Rhodes highlighted how WWE features some of the world’s best athletes. “We are wrestling with our shirts off, folks; you’re standing next to some of the best athletes in the world,” he said.
The American Nightmare also circled back to his previous run in the company as ‘Stardust’. Rhodes suggested that he was not in his best physical form at the time.
“That was the thing, I wasn’t in great shape, and I had filled the spot as Dustin’s partner, we had done really well at that point,” the champion said. “I should have been focused on getting in the best shape of my career, having the best promo, and more importantly, I should have fought the little battles,” Rhodes added.
Speaking further, Rhodes also revealed how the current WWE roster was quite competitive when it came to improving and maintaining one’s fitness.
Speaking about the current culture, he said, “I know it might seem toxic and stuff but amongst the boys and girls, everyone’s like, ‘Who does your diet?’ ‘Who’s training,’ there’s a whole other health-conscious WWE that I love. We’re trying to look our best.”
Rhodes also had some high praise for his Crown Jewel opponent Gunther on the YouTube episode. The Undisputed Champion pointed towards how the Ring General improved himself to get into his best shape and become a crucial part of the WWE.
“You can see he’s gotten in the best shape of his career, he looks incredible, he looks the part, and there’s this weird online contingent that doesn’t realize how important that is,” Rhodes said.
The Crown Jewel 2024 episode is set to take place on Saturday, November 2. The show will kick off at 10:30 pm IST in India.