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Cody Rhodes' latest prediction would ruin wrestling if it came true
Cody Rhodes. Dylan Azari / Special to the Telegram & Gazette / USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Cody Rhodes' latest prediction would ruin wrestling if it came true

Cody Rhodes has clawed his way to the top of the wrestling mountain. He's been cut. He's been at the bottom of a card. And, he's been around the block a few times, with stops at Ring of Honor, TNA, AEW (which he helped found), New Japan Pro Wrestling and, of course, WWE. 

So, when you see Rhodes at the top of the industry and as the face of the biggest wrestling brand on the planet, you know it was a long time coming. WWE, however, doesn't always reward that type of wrestling grind. You only need to look at Logan Paul and the push he's receiving from the company to understand that to them, being a wrestling lifer is far from a top priority.

Paul is a YouTuber. He made his WWE in-ring debut at WrestleMania 38. While his brother, Jake Paul, has played a role in the decline of boxing, Logan has decided to tarnish the wrestling profession instead. 

Yet, Rhodes believes that Logan Paul's ability to draw fans, impress with his athleticism and create an emotional response from the audience will likely mean that sooner or later, he'll be crowned a WWE world champion.

“If he had just stepped in and was immediately as good as he was, I’d be furious," Rhodes said during a recent appearance on "The Bill Simmons Show" podcast. "One of the hardest working people I’ve ever seen. If you consider him a heel, that’s okay, he is as prickly as it gets...He took it as seriously as anybody ever. I have a feeling he is going to end up being World Champion or WWE Champion as some point. The internet will explode and we’ll be fine. He is very special.”

There's no denying that Logan Paul is a talented in-ring performer. He's a natural athlete with great timing and a clear understanding of WWE's show production. However, he is not a wrestler. He hasn't been part of the indie scene or earned his stripes by doing guest spots at smaller, more localized promotions. 

Logan Paul is an influencer who can wrestle a little bit. 

He'd never be able to cut it in more wrestling-focused promotions such as AEW, New Japan or even one of WWE's recently acquired entities: Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide.

Making him a champion would be spitting in the face of all the wrestlers who have fought tooth and nail to be part of the industry. To the talents who have given their lives to perfecting the art form. Logan Paul would be the final nail in the coffin of WWE as a wrestling company, rather than being a show about wrestlers.

Logan Paul is a good talent, so putting the United States Championship on him made sense. It's a mid-card belt for a mid-card wrestler. But, asking him to be one of the top faces in the company is a step too far, and one many wrestling fans should hope never happens. 

Adam Taylor

Adam Taylor is a sports journalist based out of the UK. Adam has been covering the NBA for nearly a decade with a core focus on the Boston Celtics. He currently holds bylines with Yardbarker, SB Nation and USA Today

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