Forget the WWE Championship, Cody Rhodes deserves an Oscar

Professional wrestling, at its best, is theater, and through that lens, Cody Rhodes proved that in defeat.

After losing the Undisputed WWE Championship to Drew McIntyre last Friday on SmackDown, Rhodes put on a masterclass in acting. He looked like a man who had lost everything — his face frozen in disbelief, as if searching for the exact moment it all went wrong, before burying his head in defeat.

Following SmackDown, I reported on footage of a visibly dejected Rhodes moments after dropping the title. Additional footage now shows Rhodes exiting the ring and making his way back to the locker room with his head down for nearly the entire walk, not once breaking character.

This was a powerful image. And while — through the world of kayfabe — I blame Rhodes for failing to act when it mattered, it’s hard not to feel for him as he wears his emotions on his sleeve. 

Where it all falls apart, however, is not with Rhodes, but with WWE’s production team.

As this emotional scene played out, his entrance theme blared the entire time, undercutting the gravity of the situation. Instead of allowing the audience to fully absorb Rhodes’ pain, they numbed it with musical morphine.

When Brock Lesnar ended The Undertaker’s undefeated WrestleMania streak, watching Taker process that loss was as devastating as the defeat itself. There was no soundtrack to guide the crowd’s emotions as he gathered himself and walked away in stunned silence.

That silence spoke louder than any song ever could.

Had this scene with Rhodes aired on live television, WWE might have taken a different approach. Still, allowing fans to sit in that discomfort and share in Cody’s heartbreak without distraction would have elevated the impact of his defeat even further. 

Nonetheless, Rhodes’ commitment to the moment deserves recognition. It would have been easy to crack a smile, acknowledge the fans, or break the tension. He didn’t. Staying in that headspace, especially with thousands of fans singing, is no small task. Yet Rhodes held the line.

As much credit as I give performers like Roman Reigns and Mercedes Moné for their character work, this moment earns Cody Rhodes a seat at that table.