Cody Rhodes shares hilarious backstage truth about John Cena

Cody Rhodes has shared a behind-the-scenes insight from his time working with John Cena, revealing the one in-ring habit the WWE legend never managed to change throughout his career.

Speaking on the Good Hang with Amy Poehler podcast, Rhodes reflected on wrestling Cena during the 17-time world champion’s 2025 farewell tour, praising his instincts while joking about one well-known quirk.

“John is pretty great at the magic, except for one area that is widely known to wrestling fans and wrestlers,” Rhodes said. “John will not talk low, or in ‘carny.’”

According to Rhodes, most wrestlers quietly communicate moves inside the ring using subtle cues or coded language to avoid giving away what comes next. Cena, however, took a much louder approach.

“John yells everything that is going to happen in the ring as loud as he can possibly yell it,” Rhodes joked. “He calls it, for the first four rows, an interactive experience.”

Rhodes said Cena kept up the habit even during their SummerSlam 2025 showdown, recalling a dangerous spot involving the Attitude Adjustment through tables.

With Rhodes draped over his shoulders and blocking his vision, Cena continued shouting instructions throughout the sequence.

“I never spoke back to John,” Rhodes admitted. “He’s a mentor to me. But it was one of those moments where I thought, ‘Buddy, I'm the one doing it. I don’t give a s***. Just throw me.’”

Elsewhere in the interview, Rhodes reflected on being part of Cena’s long-awaited heel turn, admitting he initially felt nervous about such a landmark moment in WWE history.

He explained that after decades as the company’s ultimate fan favourite, seeing Cena embrace a villainous role felt unexpected, and he wanted to make sure he didn’t “screw that massive moment up.”

Despite the humorous criticism, Rhodes' comments highlighted the respect he continues to have for Cena, whom he described as both a mentor and one of wrestling’s greatest performers.