10 Fascinating Backstage WWE Facts About John Cena
2. He Helped Cody Rhodes In AEW
Cena helped Cody Rhodes in AEW without even really knowing it.
Returning hero Cody told Steve Austin's 'Broken Skull Sessions' last year that working a series of house show dates opposite John before departing WWE in 2016 helped him hugely. He stood in-ring every night and listened to the 50/50 responses Cena received from fans, and he was impressed by how JC handled things.
Fast forward to the last portion of Rhodes' All Elite run. Supporters in the stands rained some boos down on him despite his babyface status, and nobody really knew how to deal with it...except Cody. He remembered how Cena had brushed off jeers but embraced those still cheering, and he decided to follow John's lead.
Cody applied the lessons he'd learned from those precious live event dates vs. Cena. That's incredible; John influenced one of AEW's biggest names (at the time) without even knowing he was doing it. Rhodes has probs clued him in since.