Upon leaving WWE in 2016, Cody Rhodes set about revamping his entire wrestling persona and launching a new phase of his career.
From being a perennial mid-carder in WWE, Rhodes moved to become one of the most talked about names in wrestling, before helping launch AEW.
During this period Rhodes adopted Downstait’s “Kingdom” as his theme song, and has used the track ever since. Even continuing to use it after returning to WWE at WrestleMania 38. To the surprise of many, Rhodes appeared with his full “AEW” presentation, and his theme song has since become a massive hit with fans at live events.
However, speaking during an appearance on the Insight podcast with Chris Van Vliet, Downstait lead singer Zack Call revealed that Rhodes was almost blocked from using the song due to a legal dispute between the band and WWE. Call said that Rhodes came “very close” to returning with a different theme song.
“I don’t want to give away too much (about how Cody Rhodes was able to use Kingdom in WWE). But we were aware that Kingdom was coming and we were in a little bit of a legal battle and Cody Rhodes is absolutely the f*cking man. We were on the phone with lawyers and agents and WWE’s lawyers and composers before, and we have been with them since 2009. And we all have regular jobs. And we just wanted our cut of the pie on this one.
We know what happens when you — we’re not Joan Jett, we’re not Living Colour, but when you use a real song, they get paid, those artists get paid. It’s not a part of WWE’s work. And this is a song that we wrote.
It was pretty close to it (Rhodes having another theme for his return). And then Cody, we held our silence for a little bit and I’d said my piece and I’m — my heart is in my throat and not ready to give up the song. You know, I’ve worked so hard on the song, we worked so hard on the song. And Cody just basically breaks the silence and he goes, ‘Well, you don’t get me without Kingdom’ on this conference call. All right!
He swore up and down right when he started using it that, ‘If I go back to WWE, I am taking Kingdom with me.’ And I mean, he’s been nothing but truthful with us the whole time. But you never know… when it comes down to the moment, you never know what’s going to happen. And about two weeks before we have this big make or break moment, it might have been two seconds of silence. It might not have been the 10 that’s in my brain right now. It might have been two hours.”
Cody Rhodes Vs. Gunther At WrestleMania?
Cody Rhodes has endured something of a mixed run at WrestleMania since returning to WWE. While he emerged victorious in stunning fashion at WrestleMania 38, he ended WrestleMania 39 as the latest victim of Roman Reigns.
However, it has been reported that the star could be set for another main event in 2024, this time opposite Gunther.
H/t to POST Wrestling