Wrestling fans are speaking out after a Cody Rhodes-related “Raheem” sign surfaced during Black History Month — and the backlash is loud.
The situation started after Cody Rhodes referenced the long-running “Raheem” nickname during the February 6 episode of SmackDown. In his promo, Rhodes joked that WrestleMania would be a “you know what measuring contest,” adding that “they didn’t nickname me Raheem for no reason.” Days later, a fan brought a sign to a WWE show reading: “HAPPY BLACK ‘CODY ‘RAHEEM’ RHODES’ HISTORY MONTH,” tying the nickname to Black History Month. The sign quickly circulated online — and that’s when the backlash began.
One fan took to Twitter and argued that the joke is largely being pushed by white fans rather than embraced by the community it references, writing: “white people the ones perpetuating this ‘joke’”
Some responses specifically pointed to the timing. With February being Black History Month — and no visible WWE programming centered on it this year — one fan criticized what they viewed as misplaced attention: “White ppl acknowledging BHM only to honor a white guy.”
That same thing happened in another tweet, where a fan pointed out the contrast between the sign with WWE’s actual roster: “Leave it to WWE fans to wish Happy Black history month to a white man, but not to the multiple Black wrestlers in the company.”
Another fan took to Twitter and made it clear that Cody Rhodes shared responsibility for keeping the nickname alive after referencing it on SmackDown:
“Bro the moment he went back to WWE the fans were doing this “Raheem” s*** and Cody referenced it on Smackdown so he ain’t safe either he also deserves the blame. N**** HES WHITE NOT BLACK THIS S*** IS NOT FUNNY IT WASNT BACK THEN AND IT STILL AINT NOW 🖕🏾.”
The controversy ties back to a 2021 AEW promo where Rhodes discussed his interracial marriage and declared he had “ended racism,” a line that led to the “Raheem” nickname becoming popular among fans.
While the reference used to be an inside joke, it’s clear things have gotten way out of hand now. At this point, it’s less about one sign and more about how jokes like this land with different parts of the audience. Some fans think it’s harmless while others clearly don’t.
Do you think this was harmless wrestling humor, or do you understand why some fans are calling it out? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below.