Cody Rhodes is set to headline his third straight WrestleMania event and his fourth overall since returning at WrestleMania 38. Rhodes was a midcard act as Stardust before he left WWE in 2016 and reinvented himself.
John Cena returns to the main event for the first time in over a decade at WrestleMania 41, clashing with Rhodes in the main event of Sunday.
Speaking to Daniel Cormier of ESPN, Cena was asked if he ever saw himself against Rhodes in the main event given where Rhodes was ten years ago.
"It speaks to the unpredictability of WWE. I'm making a blanket statement and an assumption about fighting, which I know very little about. My blanket statement is, most likely you can spot the potential of a great fighter far before their peak. WWE is different, and I think that's what makes it fun. Had you asked Triple H, 'Did you ever think you'd be going against that guy you almost fired at WrestleMania at Chicago?' I'm the last pick. I'm the guy who almost got fired. I'm the guy who should not be here. I'm the happy accident. Here we are, almost 25 years later, reflecting on that story. What's beautiful about sports entertainment is, yes, rubber needs to hit road. You need to have fundamental skills and athletic ability to perform in the ring, but it's also kind of up to them. They can take a mistake and make it a success. As long as you are brave enough to ride the lightning, you have a chance. It's an interesting question and a lot of history...Stunning Steve Austin wasn't really doing much until he became Stone Cold. Even then, we he was Stone Cold, he was kind of amigious until he said, 'Austin 3:16 just whooped your ass.' Now, we're off the races. Rocky Maivia, booed out of every building, and not the good type of boo. 'What are we gonna do with this guy?' You can see from face value, 'Former football player, he's an athlete, he's taken to the business,' but it's just not working. Then, by happy accident, he finds his way," said Cena.
Cena will challenge Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 41 Sunday.
WrestleMania 41 will be Cena's final WrestleMania as he is set to retire at the end of the year.
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