Cody Rhodes talks his upcoming bout with Sammy Guevara.
On July 30, All Elite Wrestling announced that Cody Rhodes vs. Sammy Guevara would be the first-ever match when AEW debuts on TNT on Oct. 2. The bout pits one of the four co-executive vice presidents with a young talent that might be unknown to the new TNT audience.
Appearing on Busted Open Radio, Cody discussed the decision to have him in the first-ever match on TNT and to face Guevara.
"I was adamant, and the crew was understanding, of the fact that I wanted to do something that is unique to peoples expectations. I wanted to do something with a young and hungry guy who has no ceiling, but is relatively unknown to the audience we are in front of," said Cody. "I was more 'pro that' than where it sits on the card. As you know, things can change. But, now that I've said it and gotten a response to it, being the first match ever on TNT is important and has to set the tone. We've made so many promises, and one big thing that we are all big on is, there are no 'false salesman' in the group. Everyone is genuine and we have to fulfill promises. One of those promises is the word 'fresh.' Sammy Guevara is fresh. People who were indifferent [to the match announcement], I would hope that ten years [from now] they think, 'Wow, that was a really good call.' It feels right for it to be one of [the executive Vice Presidents] and I'm happy it got to be me."
Cody continued to discuss his match with Guevara by saying, "He's that rookie draft pick that you know is really really good. I know, on the big stage, he can glow out there. It's important that we introduce something brand new to the world. I'm 34 years old, and I feel like I'm entering [my] wrestling prime. I want to challenge myself. There's a style I've been known for, and I want to push my style and evolve as a wrestler and competitor. It's only people [like Sammy] that are gonna bring that out of me. I already know that I can bring something out of him. I'm expecting him to bring something out of me."
AEW on TNT is already off to a great start with the first show selling out. Along with Cody vs. Guevara, the promotion has announced that the first-ever Women's Champion will be crowned on the show.
