Summary

Cody Rhodes says dealing with extra chaos around WrestleMania has become part of the deal for anyone following his biggest matches.

Looking at this year's WWE Championship program with Randy Orton, Rhodes pointed to Pat McAfee as the latest outside factor in the story. He also referenced Travis Scott's involvement last year and The Bloodline's presence during the WrestleMania 39 and 40 builds.

That framing fits with the way Rhodes has talked about the feud throughout WrestleMania week. He recently also said he has a plan for Pat McAfee ahead of WrestleMania 42, making it clear he does not view McAfee as a minor distraction.

Quote from Cody Rhodes

"So, outside forces. You could look at this year and say, here's Pat McAfee. You could look at the year before and say, here's Travis Scott. You could look at the year before and say, here's The Rock. If you are a Cody Rhodes fan during WrestleMania season, it's a choice. We deal with outside forces. We deal with, hey, they want to be a part of it. We're about it and I can say this, it's a spot I always wanted. If you're gonna be in the big moments, you have to be ready for the big jobs. Pat being part of ESPN and the fact that WrestleMania is on ESPN for the first time ever, it's actually a natural fit. Does it fit in a 20 year wrestler, student-teacher, mentor, all of that? No. But, Pat sure thinks it does and now Pat has the title so we can tell that story another time. That story has also already been told, let's figure out how this unfolds."

Rhodes later went on to say:

"We're getting to this point now where you go through so much as a wrestler, like I mentioned the previous WrestleManias and all of that. Maybe it's time for me to change. That's a new layer of paint for Randy Orton, he's associated with Pat. He doesn't need that by any means but that's what he's doing. Maybe I change. Maybe you walk that other side. I've been saying for so long, oh, I don't think I could do heel stuff. After a while, it starts to feel like it's almost expected to lose it at some point. You know, he is going to snap and how does that look? It's WrestleMania though, it's the best thing we do. It's the postseason. It'll be great with Pat McAfee or without Pat McAfee."

What Cody Rhodes' comments mean for WrestleMania 42

Rhodes tying Pat McAfee, Travis Scott and The Bloodline together gives this WrestleMania 42 feud a familiar shape. WWE is again presenting Rhodes as a champion who has to survive more than just the opponent across the ring, which keeps extra attention on whether McAfee changes the title match with Orton.

The second part of Rhodes' answer is just as notable. By openly talking about possibly changing or "snapping," he adds a wrinkle to his side of the story as well. Even if nothing dramatic happens at WrestleMania 42, Rhodes is signaling that the pressure around this program is affecting how he sees himself heading into the match.

Sources

As reported by Fightful.