Rhodes recalls the backstage encounter with Zayn and the decision to face-off in the ring.

Cody Rhodes, a pivotal figure in the WWE, recently shed light on the company’s decision to embrace the idea of him mixing it up with Sami Zayn. Zayn, who has seen a meteoric rise in his WWE career, transitioned from a mid-carder to becoming one-half of the Undisputed Tag Team Champions. As the 2023 Royal Rumble event neared, fans were abuzz with speculation on who would challenge Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 39. Many hoped for Zayn, given his recent engagement with the Bloodline storyline. However, it was Rhodes who emerged as the Royal Rumble victor.

In a candid interview with Fightful, Rhodes reminisced about a backstage interaction with Zayn during the Royal Rumble event. He highlighted WWE’s proactive approach to address potential fan concerns. Rhodes quoted Bruce Prichard, Ed Kosky, and Triple H, emphasizing their collective idea of not shying away from the face-off but rather embracing it. Rhodes expressed his admiration for Zayn, labeling him as “incredibly special.”

Both Rhodes and Zayn have faced defeats at the hands of Roman Reigns, creating a common thread in their WWE journey. As the storyline unfolds, fans are eager to see how their paths might intersect in the future.