Cody Rhodes Reacts to John Cena Saying Their Match at WrestleMania 41 ‘Stunk Up the Joint’

As previously reported, John Cena reflected on his WWE Undisputed Championship match against Cody Rhodes in the main event at WrestleMania 41: Night 2 last year, admitting that it “stunk up the joint.” During a recent appearance on ESPN’s Unsportsmanlike, Cody Rhodes addressed Cena’s comments about their title bout.

Cody stated (via WrestlingInc.com), “He said something else this week where he said we stunk the joint out in Vegas at WrestleMania 41,” Rhodes said. “So my heart is pulled [in two different directions]…It’s like ‘Okay.’ I felt great.’ He got me. I had tears in my eyes standing there with him in Brooklyn. The next thing I know, ‘Okay, we stunk the joint out.’ Alright. Alright.”

He continued, “That’s what they do, though. That’s what the great mentors do, you know? They never can give you the full…and they shouldn’t. I’m mean to mine.”

The match saw John Cena beat Cody Rhodes to win his record 17th world championship. He later ended his heel run shortly before WWE SummerSlam 2025. In the main event of WWE SummerSlam 2025: Night 2, Rhodes defeated Cena to regain the WWE Undisputed Championship.