Cody Rhodes says he’s very aware of how MJF is perceived, but he wants to give him the opportunity to excel and sees the “Salt of the Earth” as a protégé.
Cody spoke with Wrestlezone’s Bill Pritchard ahead of All Elite Wrestling’s Philadelphia TV tapings, and was asked why it seems like he’s the only person who gets along with MJF. Cody says he knows how MJF is seen by fans, and noted that Max’s actions lead people to believe that he’ll eventually turn his back on his mentor, but he views MJF as a star that he can help develop.
“I’ve been a ‘bad guy’ plenty of times in my career, I’ve turned on tag partners. I understand. I’m not oblivious to the fact that MJF is an ass. I’m aware. I’ve done signings with him too and I’ve asked never to do signings with him again because he is fully committed to you hating him. However—he was my handpicked project before All In. I saw him at NEW (Northeast Wrestling) and thought ‘something’s there.’” Cody said, “Whether it’s because he’s in your face asking questions, whether it’s because he’s literally growing—his body’s growing, knowing that he’s putting work in in the gym—his matches. He’s able to mix the modern style with a new style, creating his own style, or it’s just the X factor, whatever it was. I sold him to Matt and Nick for All In, and then after that, I never had to sell him again.”
Cody went on to explain that he just wants to give MJF an opportunity to succeed and while fans might think otherwise, he does do the right thing on occasion, as seen in recent weeks with Cody’s battles against the Inner Circle.
“He’s entertaining, and I feel like he’s mine. I want to cultivate that. My Dad had so many projects through the years, so many projects. So, this is my project. And maybe I don’t have that many, but this is one of my first projects as a leader and as a mentor. I’ve never been a mentor before, or at least I didn’t know I was until now. Some of those guys—‘Jungle Boy’ Jack Perry, Kip Sabian, Max—a bunch of projects that we have that we’ve homegrown and developed. I want Max to have the best chance to succeed and win.” Cody said. “I know he’s not friendly and I know he’s not sociable, but in the ring he can get it done. If you watch last week’s Dynamite, he will make the right decision from time to time.”
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