MJF has heaped praise on Cody Rhodes for his achievements in WWE.
During the early days of AEW, MJF allied himself with then-EVP Cody Rhodes. Initially, he helped Rhodes in his feud with Chris Jericho before turning on the man he called his “best friend” at Full Gear in 2019 with a low blow.
Before the pair met in the ring, Friedman forced Rhodes to first take ten lashes and compete against Wardlow in a Steel Cage match.
After The American Nightmare defeated Wardlow, he was granted a match against the Salt of the Earth at Revolution 2020. Far from getting revenge, though, MJF defeated Rhodes in their one and only bout after knocking him out with a shot using the Dynamite Diamond Ring.
MJF praises Cody Rhodes as the “epitome of putting the work in”
These days, Friedman is at the top of the world as AEW World Champion, while Cody has made the jump to WWE, where he was unsuccessful in his attempt to dethrone Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 39.
Speaking to Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp about Rhodes’ loss, MJF was uncharacteristically positive about the star, saying he came across as “a top guy”.
“Me and Cody Rhodes, the American Rollercodester, we have a very interesting past. He’s been a mentor, he’s been a friend, he’s been a mortal enemy, all wrapped into a neat cute little succinct bow.
“I think he came across like a top guy. I think he’s transformed his body, much like I have in the past year, but let’s be honest, I’m bigger than him and am in better shape than he is.
“He looked like a top guy, was presented like a top guy, had a top guy outing, had a top guy match. He just didn’t win. Unfortunately, some nights, you just don’t win.”
Friedman went on to say Rhodes got to his position by himself and it’s something he should be proud of.
“Cody Rhodes is the epitome of putting the work in. Everything that he’s accomplished is literally only because of him. He’s far too humble to admit that, he’ll pretend it’s got something to do with somebody else. He got it done himself, and he should be very proud of that.
“Was I happy to see him lose at Mania? I don’t know if I would have been happy if he won (or) lost. The only thing I know is that he had an incredible outing, and it was probably the best match of the entire night.”
H/T to Fightful for the above transcription.