WWE's Cody Rhodes is set to appear at Wrestlemania 41 at Allegiant Stadium | Adam Hill | sport

WWE superstar and undisputed champion Cody Rhodes can't help but reflect on the role of football in his career and his relationship with his famous father as he looks around Allegiant Stadium.

In fact, it was his decision to give up the sport that shaped the rest of his life.

Rhodes, the son of wrestling legend Dusty Rhodes, was the type of kid who would try out any sport. However, his father loved watching him play football and was disappointed when high school student Cody told him he wanted to quit to focus on his amateur wrestling ambitions.

“I told my dad I was going to win state this year,” Rhodes said. “It is a very difficult competition in Georgia. I don't think he didn't believe me, but he didn't know what to believe.

“This entire junior season is a pivotal moment in my childhood and my relationship with my father because I went undefeated and, absurdly, was only defeated twice. I just had a “Vision Quest” level of a season. When I won that tournament, our relationship changed forever. He had confidence in me.”

“That was my father”

Rhodes said his father knew from that day on that Cody had the focus to accomplish anything he set his mind to and became one of his biggest fans and advocates.

“That extends to my WWE career,” said Rhodes, whose real name is Cody Runnels. “If you had asked a room of a hundred people in 2008, when I was just starting out in WWE, 'Will Cody take over as WWE's quarterback at Wrestlemania 40, 99 would have absolutely not answered.'” But one person would have said: “Yes.” Trust me. I wouldn't bet against him.' That was my father.”

Dusty Rhodes died in 2015.

All these years later, Rhodes somewhat ironically plies his trade in football stadiums. His crowning achievement came at Wrestlemania 40, when he headlined sold-out shows on consecutive nights at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia last April.

Now he's looking forward to being one of the stars of the show alongside the retired John Cena when Wrestlemania 41 comes to Allegiant Stadium for a two-day event on April 19th and 20th.

Rhodes is in town to promote ticket sales for the event, but he probably doesn't have to do much. These things are incredibly hard to come by, certainly harder than the last time Wrestlemania was held in Las Vegas in front of Caesars Palace in 1993.

That's especially rewarding for someone like Rhodes, who has not only wrestled in fire halls and bingo parlors, but has also heard the stories of his older family members who started out in the darkest places imaginable.

“Growing up in the industry, you almost have this impostor syndrome when it comes to where you fit in the pantheon of entertainment,” Rhodes said. “When these big stadium events come around, for me it's a real validation for someone who grew up in the industry to tell people, 'It's really cool' and 'It's really popular.' You'll see.'

“To have moments like this, where we fill this room for two nights and show how mainstream WWE has become, the little kid in me that wants to be so proud of what we do as a family, that's extreme. “validate.”

It's now a global phenomenon with an entire week of events centered around the main event.

“It feels very fitting that it is here in Vegas because it will be a great challenge to exceed what we achieved at Wrestlemania 40 and this puts us in a position to meet and exceed that challenge ” Rhodes said of Allegiant.

“And as the week starts, you will see that it attracts so many fans worldwide. Vegas is already a destination, but now it's becoming a double destination for wrestling fans and I'm really excited for them to be here. It’s the perfect place for Wrestlemania 41 because, again, it’s a big challenge, but we want to exceed what we’ve achieved.”

Although it will be only the second WWE event at Allegiant Stadium, the company has a long history in Las Vegas. Just like Rhodes himself. He fondly remembers old television footage from Sam's Town and the Orleans Arena. One of his most famous matches was a bloody fight against his brother Dustin at the MGM Grand as part of AEW in 2019.

“I have had wonderful moments all over the city,” said Rhodes, a self-confessed fan of the city for both business and leisure. “I’m really excited for wrestling fans who have never been there to come and experience not only Wrestlemania, but one of the great cities. I want to encourage them to take it all in, take their time and enjoy a wonderful place.”

The fans at Allegiant Stadium will no doubt heed his advice these two nights.

“The Quarterback”

Full disclosure: I'm not a huge wrestling fan. But I've grown to appreciate storytelling, something Rhodes speaks about eloquently and with great dedication to this part of the craft.

There's also something unique about the performers' ability to control a crowd. Rhodes compares this aspect to having a lead singer with sometimes more than 60,000 backing singers. It's remarkable to see in person.

WWE commentator Michael Cole had a different comparison. Perhaps because of the success Rhodes has had in football stadiums or the way he can take control of the action in the ring and with all the fans in the arena, Cole has made a habit of calling Rhodes “the quarterback.” to name.

“Nothing could be funnier because I’m not a football player,” Rhodes said as he sat in a suite looking out at an empty Allegiant Stadium. “But I take responsibility for it and I understand the parallel. So when I go from “I'm not playing this anymore” and look at this stadium and know that we're going to perform right where the Raiders logo is, right in the middle, in front of a record crowd of people, then I will be the quarterback that night.

“Somehow I’m back in football.”

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