In a significant acknowledgment of his chief on-screen rival, WWE superstar Roman Reigns has issued major praise for Cody Rhodes, identifying him as the only performer on the current roster who has proven capable of leading the company.
Roman Reigns, who anchored World Wrestling Entertainment through a historic 1,316-day championship run before losing the title to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40, clarified that representing the professional wrestling giant requires an elite tier of durability and consistency. Speaking with Complex, Roman Reigns framed the responsibility not just as an athletic milestone, but as a grueling corporate obligation.
"As it's been shown with John Cena and then also with me, it takes a decade or so," Roman Reigns said when discussing the timeline required to build a WWE franchise star.
"Can you perform every single time and then deliver when you're asked? Can you do it when you're tired? Can you do it when you're sick? Can you do it when you're hungover after WrestleMania?"
The veteran performer emphasized that the relentless schedule of a top-tier WWE attraction is far more demanding than most onlookers realize.
"Can you carry the WWE banner for this company? This is a billion-dollar machine. It's not easy," Roman Reigns noted. "There's only been one who's been able to carry that banner, and that's been Cody."
The Burden of a Billion-Dollar Machine
The comments offer a rare, out-of-character look at the realities of modern sports entertainment. For decades, WWE has relied on a singular franchise player—such as Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and John Cena—to anchor its global marketing, live event touring circuits, and media appearances.
According to Roman Reigns, maintaining that position requires an individual to work through physical exhaustion and intense public scrutiny. While numerous wrestlers achieve popularity, Roman Reigns argues that very few possess the work ethic needed to sustain the company's multi-layered business model over a prolonged period.
The endorsement carries notable weight given the real-world and on-screen history between the two men. Cody Rhodes returned to WWE in 2022 with the explicit goal of finishing the story began by his late father, Dusty Rhodes. That narrative culminated in April 2024 when Cody Rhodes defeated Roman Reigns in a highly praised main event at WrestleMania 40.
Professional Respect Beyond the Ring
While the two have continued to share the screen in high-profile storylines since WrestleMania—including a temporary, uneasy alliance at the Bad Blood premium live event—their interactions outside the ring have remained professional but distinct. Both performers recently filmed roles for an upcoming Street Fighter motion picture project, where Cody Rhodes portrays Guile and Roman Reigns plays Akuma.
Cody Rhodes previously noted that their relationship on set was very strange due to the intense nature of their sports entertainment rivalry, indicating that film crew members initially expected tension between the two. However, the recent Roman Reigns interview reflects a deep-seated professional respect for the relentless schedule Cody Rhodes has maintained since becoming the face of WWE.
What Happens Next for Roman Reigns
Despite praising the leadership of Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns indicated that his own journey at the top of the industry is far from over. The Original Tribal Chief has been working a more limited schedule in recent years, but he made it clear that he expects to remain a focal point of WWE television for the foreseeable future.
"If I stay in shape and I do my end of the job, I could possibly still have a whole 'nother run that we didn't even think about," Roman Reigns told Complex.
Roman Reigns is currently scheduled to defend his championship status against LA Knight at the upcoming Money in the Bank event. Whether his path will cross with Cody Rhodes again for a third WrestleMania singles encounter remains an open question for WWE management and fans alike.
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