Bloodline wiseman Paul Heyman believes fans not enjoying Cody Rhodes’ first reign as WWE Champion are simply “not paying attention” to how good he has been as the face of the company.
Throughout 2024 there have been few bigger storylines than the tale of Cody Rhodes finishing the story and defending his position as the reigning WWE Champion. His rise to prominence has been a focus of WWE television for the better part of the last two years, as he has become what he calls the quarterback of the roster.
However, it did not take long for the more fickle among the WWE fanbase to start complaining early in his title reign about it not being as impactful as Roman Reigns. There was even talk over the summer that Rhodes — the top babyface in the company — needed to turn on the fanbase that took him to the pinnacle of the industry.
While a segment of fans were expecting something different in Rhodes’ WWE Championship reign, various reports claim those inside the company are absolutely thrilled with the job he has done as one of the faces of the promotion. Especially since WWE has been breaking revenue records in 2024.
In a new interview this week, Paul Heyman — of all people — came to the defense of Cody Rhodes. And pushed back against fans complaining about his first WWE title run.
Paul Heyman on Cody Rhodes: ‘If you can’t give that man his flowers right now, you’re not paying attention’

“That man has worked so hard, so tirelessly, so magnificently and has hit it out of the park consistently 52 weeks of the year and has never struck out,” Heyman told CBS Sports this week. “Not once have I seen a bad performance from Cody Rhodes, not once have I seen him lackluster. Not once have I seen him rest on his laurels. If you can’t give that man his flowers right now, you’re not paying attention.”
It is tough being at the top of the industry. And there have been many great performers that have not handled the pressure of the position very well. But Rhodes remade himself on the indy scene, in NJPW and during the early year of AEW. To where he is a promoter’s dream as the face of the company.
And the profits the company has reaped over the last year are proof of his immense value and success.
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