Cody Rhodes’ ‘number one red flag’ when a veteran joins a company

A quote from WWE champion Cody Rhodes is making the rounds and piquing wrestling fans’ interest today.

It came when Rhodes joined his friend & mentor Diamond Dallas Page on a recent edition of Behind The Turnbuckle with Jonathan Coachman. Cody told Coach & company that he worries when a veteran wrestler comes into a new promotion and says he’s only there to help the younger talent:

“I’ll tell you the number one red flag I hear. If you meet a guy who is a legend who is coming in on the roster and he’s going to be active, or a part-time guy who is on the roster and going to be active, whatever it may be. The number one red flag if you’re a young or in the middle of the pack talent is when you hear somebody say, ‘I’m just here for the young guys.’ I already know you’re not just here for the young guys. I would rather you tell me straight up, ‘You know, I’m here for some of yall, and I’m here for myself.’

“This is a selfish, competitive business. I like the most transparent of people who just [say], ‘Hey, here’s what I’d like to do, let’s do it.’ Whenever I hear, ‘I’m here for the young guys’ which is not often and not anytime [recently that] I’ve heard that, in my mind, instantly like it’s the biggest red flag ever. That’s it. I’d rather hear him tell us he’s here just for himself.”

It’s key that Rhodes mentions vets saying they “just” want to help the next generation, as working with younger stars is a soundbite we hear often when a legend-type changes companies. In those cases those, guys are usually upfront about the benefits they’ll get out of it — even if that’s just the thrill of locking up with someone they never have before.

Cody, who also helps run the Nightmare Factory school in Georgia when he’s not representing WWE, also offered some advice to previous generations about working with today’s — and praised his current boss as someone to model their approach on:

“Have an open mind. A lot of the luminaries, legends, old-timers, veterans, when they mix with this modern locker room, the mistake is made of saying: ‘This is the only way it’s meant to be done. These are the rules. They’re rigid, they’re firm.’ … That type of motivation doesn’t work. That type of ‘Hey I did it all and I was at the top of my game so you have to listen to everything I’m saying.’ I’ve noticed talent today, especially younger talent, are more independent-minded than they’re ever been. They’re more strong-minded about what they can do. If you’re one of these guys coming in, having an open mind is the greatest thing ever. Triple H is the prime example.”

He also emphasized there’s no one way to reach what’s the goal for any pro wrestler:

“Have an open mind. A lot of the luminaries, legends, old-timers, veterans, when they mix with this modern locker room, the mistake is made of saying: ‘This is the only way it’s meant to be done. These are the rules. They’re rigid, they’re firm.’ … That type of motivation doesn’t work. That type of ‘Hey I did it all and I was at the top of my game so you have to listen to everything I’m saying.’ I’ve noticed talent today, especially younger talent, are more independent-minded than they’re ever been. They’re more strong-minded about what they can do. If you’re one of these guys coming in, having an open mind is the greatest thing ever. Triple H is the prime example.”

Check out the WWE champ’s entire appearance on Behind the Turnbuckle here.