The Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes is stepping into one of the louder debates surrounding WWE right now, throwing his support behind Triple H’s creative leadership at a time when critics have been openly questioning whether the WWE Chief Content Officer belongs in the role.
As one of the promotion’s top stars working inside the system every week, ‘The American Nightmare’ offered a candid endorsement of how the creative process operates.
Speaking on his What Do You Wanna Talk About? podcast, Cody Rhodes explained why he enjoys working under Triple H’s approach. He said Triple H operates differently from Vince McMahon and other bookers because he gives talent room to bring ideas forward and collaborate.
Rhodes described himself as a performer who wants ownership over his story and character while still trusting WWE’s machine to polish and produce it.
“Most of the time this is my story. It’s my character. I want to get it as good as I can and then you guys fix it up, filter it, produce it for me. One of the things I love about WWE is taking talented people, but then producing them. You’re producing them and funneling and right now Hunter has a different style funnel, Triple H that being, than Vince had, than any other booker’s,” Rhodes said.
Inside Triple H’s Creative “Sandbox”
Rhodes said the style is especially fun for talent because it lets performers try ideas inside the structure WWE provides. He framed it as a back-and-forth where talent pitches and Triple H helps shape those ideas inside his creative “sandbox.”
“He has a different style that’s really fun if you’re a player for him to go, ‘Hey, I want to be your main guy. I want to be, but this is my, what about this? Try it.’ And to try his sandbox, to try and collab and match that idea,” Rhodes said.
A Response To The Critics
Cody Rhodes’ comments land against a backdrop of public criticism aimed at Triple H’s booking. Vince Russo recently ripped Triple H’s comments about WWE creative and accused him of being unfit for the job, arguing his “ebb and flow” explanation sounded like an excuse.
Rhodes has spoken often about valuing creative input over his work, including moments inside the ring and recent on-screen storylines like his rematch offer to Gunther after WWE Clash In Italy.