Cody Rhodes had one goal in mind when it came to WrestleMania — and there was no fallback option if things didn’t go his way.
While speaking during an appearance on Complex Graps, the Undisputed WWE Champion reflected on the pressure he felt while chasing another WrestleMania main event. When asked what his plan would have been if he failed to secure that opportunity, Rhodes admitted he never allowed himself to think that far ahead.
“Gosh, you think about the questions that you’re going to get asked and I wish I thought about a good answer for that question, but maybe that’s really the answer in itself. I didn’t have a plan B.”
For Rhodes, reaching the WrestleMania main event has become an obsession after experiencing it before. Once he reached that stage, the desire to return never really left him.
“The first time I main evented WrestleMania, I didn’t win, but I got the taste for it. And the idea and the goal becomes, well, I’m going to main event WrestleMania again, but I’m going to win this time.”
He explained that the chase for that moment pushed him to keep fighting for the same spot year after year, especially after finally capturing victory on the biggest stage.
“Then say the first Saturday I didn’t win, and then finally Sunday in Philly I did. Again, the taste and the addiction to it becomes, well, I’m going to come right back to this spot when we come back to WrestleMania in Vegas.”
Rhodes didn’t hide how personally he would have taken it if he failed to reach that position again. Even so, Rhodes admitted that a setback might have simply fueled him to come back stronger.
“I’m not sure what plan B would have looked like. I know in my mind I would have considered it, not to use such a harsh term, I would have considered it a failure, but on my behalf.”
“So maybe a failure on my behalf would have found me inspired or doing something different. I’m not sure. I really felt that I needed to get back to Vegas.”
Despite his determination to reach the top of the WrestleMania card, Rhodes also remembered how different things were earlier in his career. There was a time when simply getting onto the show felt like a major accomplishment.
“I remember the days when I couldn’t even get on a WrestleMania. There was a battle royal in Orlando one year. The first time they did it at Camping World Stadium. I was in the battle royal and we didn’t even get to walk the ramp. We went side ramp.”
The moment clearly stuck with him, and Rhodes joked that he still refuses to take that entrance path whenever possible.
“Side ramp is one of my… if you ever see a ref try to tell me side ramp, it’s bad taste. I won’t go unless I know somebody is immediately going to be walking down and I’m in the shot.”
Looking back now, Rhodes said that even if he hadn’t landed in the main event picture, he would still consider himself fortunate to appear on the event that defines WWE each year.
“I would have no plan B, but I would have considered myself lucky to be in any position on a show like this and a show that means a lot to WWE.”
Rhodes’ comments reveal just how focused he remains on performing at the highest level of WWE. For him, WrestleMania isn’t just another show — it’s the stage that defines careers, and one he refuses to approach with anything less than total commitment.
Do you think Cody Rhodes’ mindset is what it takes to stay on top in WWE, or should top stars always have a backup plan if things don’t work out? Let us know your thoughts and drop your feedback in the comments.