As Undisputed WWE Champion, Cody Rhodes is essentially the face of the company. However, when it comes to questions about disgraced former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon, the American Nightmare continues to choose his words carefully.
At the Bash in Berlin post-show press conference, Rhodes was asked about the perceived WWE locker room silence on the serious allegations of sexual abuse and sex trafficking which have been laid at McMahon's feet.
"I don't think that's a matter of belief versus non-belief. I think that strictly speaking we want to be doing what we were doing out there [at Bash In Berlin] and the focus and attention that it takes," he said of Janel Grant's claims. "To have a great story, have a great match, and do that every single night has left most of us where we are finding the information out just as you are."
"I would not look at it as an active attempt from the locker room to be silent," Rhodes added. "We are just doing what we do, day-to-day WWE business."
Pushed on whether he believes Grant's allegations, he replied, "I don't know enough about the information to give you a good enough answer. I'm sorry."
The press wasn't done there, though, as the subject of the recently announced Mr. McMahon documentary was next. Originally made in conjunction with WWE, it's evolved from being a puff piece about Vince to an exploration of his downfall (iinterviews conducted with him before the scandal will now be combined with comments from the journalists who broke the news).
"In terms of, am I going to watch it? Not to sound cheeky, I'm deep in a Game of Thrones rewatch and that is a hell of a lot of commitment," Rhodes said, dodging the question about a series WWE would rather ignore. "I think there's a bit of misinformation in terms of, WWE has no involvement in this documentary as far as I know."
The champ later admitted that he may watch it somewhere down the line...
'Mr. McMahon' chronicles the rise and fall of Vince McMahon, controversial businessman and co-founder of WWE. From his transformation of the WWE from a small, regional business into a global entertainment powerhouse to the explosive sexual misconduct allegations that led to his eventual resignation, this six-episode series offers a deep dive into McMahon’s life and his enduring franchise.
Culled from over 200 hours of interviews with McMahon himself (prior to his resignation), his family members, business associates and some of the most iconic names in wrestling history, as well as the journalists who uncovered McMahon’s allegations — filmmaker Chris Smith ('Tiger King') and executive producer Bill Simmons ('30 for 30') present an unflinching, no-holds-barred look at one of the most enigmatic figures in sports entertainment.