- The retired world champion posed with Rhodes after the show went off air
- Many others, such as John Cena and Jalen Brunson, also called out Rhodes
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WWE Chief Operating Officer and former 14-time World Champion Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque led the congratulations for Cody Rhodes after he dethroned Roman Reigns to become the WWE Universal Champion.
Rhodes defeated Reigns in the main event of WrestleMania 40 on Sunday night, ending Reign’s 1,316-day run as world champion, the longest in the company in nearly four decades.
Rhodes is the son of the late Dusty Rhodes, one of the most talented American wrestlers of all time who never held a WWE World Championship.
Now his son has taken over, with the support of many of his colleagues and Levesque, his boss.
“His story made history,” Triple H said as he posed with Cody just behind the curtain with his new world championship belt. Others were also quick to praise Rhodes.
Triple H poses with Cody Rhodes after WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia
Roman Reigns headlined his all-time record ninth WrestleMania against Rhodes on Sunday
“Grateful to spend time with the #WWE Universe and be a part of #WrestleMania!” said John Cena, who intervened on behalf of Rhodes in the main match. “Congratulations to @CodyRhodes on a historic achievement! And best of all… the @WWE story NEVER ENDS!!!!”
“Shoutout Cody,” New York Knick guard Jalen Brunson said immediately after scoring 43 points in a win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
“It resonates because it’s real,” said Amanda Huber, wife of the late Luke Harper/Brodie Lee. Huber’s son, Brodie, was in the ring to celebrate Rhodes’ victory.
“It’s all you ever want… it’s all you ever need, and it’s right here in front of you. This is where you want to be,” said Brandi Rhodes, who appeared alongside Cody during his WrestleMania entrance.
A collection of social media posts congratulating Cody on his championship victory
Rhodes debuted with WWE in 2006 and remained with the company for a decade before leaving in 2016, frustrated with his reputation and creative direction.
In the six years he was away from WWE, he helped found rival All Elite Wrestling in 2019 alongside Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks, Tony Khan and others.
Rhodes returned to WWE in April 2022 at WrestleMania 38, defeating Seth Rollins.
This was Rhodes’ second WrestleMania main event, with Reigns also facing a losing effort on last year’s show.