After winning the Undisputed WWE Title at WrestleMania XL, Cody Rhodes responded to rumors surrounding Stone Cold Steve Austin’s absence from the event.
Despite expectations for Austin’s appearance, The Undertaker made a surprise entrance instead.
Rhodes addressed the speculation during an interview on the Sports Illustrated Media Podcast, expressing his admiration for Austin’s legacy:
“I’ll say this. I know a lot of people talked about Stone Cold Steve Austin and him being there, him not being there, and stories and all that. I have nothing but love for Stone Cold. Again, the most profitable and unbelievable wrestler for his time. The Attitude Era has been held up against what we’ve been doing for so long. It’s such a great feeling to know that we’re now out kicking it. They set that bar for us and they set this table for us, and now we’re doing it all again. So nothing but love for The Texas Rattlesnake.”
The absence of Austin led to speculations about financial disagreements between him and WWE, as reported by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Despite the absence of Austin, The Undertaker’s surprise appearance during Rhodes’ match proved to be a pivotal moment.
The Undertaker’s intervention disrupted The Bloodline’s plans and allowed Rhodes to secure victory over Roman Reigns, becoming the Undisputed WWE Champion in the process.
With the support of The Undertaker and the admiration of wrestling legends like Stone Cold Steve Austin, Cody Rhodes celebrated his championship win alongside fellow wrestlers. As Rhodes embraced his victory, The Bloodline retreated backstage with disappointment evident on their faces, marking a significant shift in the WWE.