Cody Rhodes: I Modeled A Lot Of My Career After John Cena

Cody Rhodes reflects on John Cena’s impact on his career as he watched John navigate the highs and lows of being the top star in WWE during his formative years in the company.

Cody Rhodes came onto the WWE roster in 2007, and by that point, John Cena had already captured the WWE Championship three times and was one of the definitive faces of WWE. Throughout Cody’s initial run in WWE, which ended in 2016, Cody watched Cena’s star and importance to the overall WWE product rise to almost unprecedented heights.

Now, Cody Rhodes is the WWE Champion and one of the top faces of the company. Speaking with Cameron Hawkins. of Complex, Rhodes explained how John Cena’s work ethic and attitude toward being the face of WWE shaped his philosophies and the path that he took to reach his current level of superstardom.

“I modeled a lot of my career after the man who was the lead dog when I was here initially, and that being John Cena,” Cody explained. “Hey, if you want the spot, if you want the ball, you have to work to my level’, was something you’d hear him say in interviews, and it was very real, very, and there was nobody who could match it at the time. In terms of being WWE Champion, you have to represent WWE at all times.”

John Cena is gearing up for his farewell tour, which will take place throughout the entire calendar year of 2025. Fans can learn more about the upcoming tour here.

Cody Rhodes has stated that he once asked John Cena for a match during one of Cena’s recent WWE returns. Learn more about that here.