Cody Rhodes Defends Avery Styles Over Arik Cannon Criticism

Cody Rhodes took to social media to defend Avery Styles over the criticism that he didn’t assist in setting up at GCW Rude Awakening. As you very likely know, Styles was called out by Arik Cannon for not “paying his dues” by declining to help set up chairs when he appeared at the GCW show on August 1st, where he lost to Marcus Mathers.

The matter has become a hot button topic in the industry with a number of wrestlers, pundits and fans weighing in on the matter. Rhodes took to Twitter to comment after Cannon shared a photo of the WWE star from his earlier days as he swept the ring after a show, as well as one of Jimmy Hart setting up chairs.

Rhodes wrote:

“Arik my friend no shade intended, but my outlook…

“Avery is 19. His Father was paying dues and making sacrifices throughout that young man’s youth that some people may never understand. When you’re the family holding down the fort.

“To simplify…he already set up the fn’ chairs”

Cannon has yet to reply to Rhodes.

Arik my friend no shade intended, but my outlook…

Avery is 19. His Father was paying dues and making sacrifices throughout that young man’s youth that some people may never understand. When you’re the family holding down the fort.

To simplify…he already set up the fn’ chairs https://t.co/SEMIN4h3E5

— Cody Rhodes (@CodyRhodes) August 11, 2026