Cody Rhodes’ retirement didn’t last very long.
During the SummerSlam Kickoff show, Rhodes hilariously announced that he was officially retiring from the Fanatics Games after another rough showing in the field goal kicking challenge. But before anyone could take the announcement too seriously, “The American Nightmare” changed his mind and declared he was already coming out of retirement.
Rhodes first owned up to his performance, joking that he could have blamed the fact quarterbacks don’t actually kick field goals before revealing the advice he once received from The Undertaker.
“Listen, I could say something clever, like, ‘Well, the quarterback doesn’t kick the ball, he only holds it.’ But the reality is, I learned something from The Undertaker a long time ago: when you screw up, you have to come forward.”
He then thanked Michael Rubin for putting together another Fanatics Fest before announcing what he called some “breaking news.”
“I have no excuse. This is now my second Fanatics Games, and now I have some breaking news. Michael Rubin has put on such a wonderful event for us at Fanatics Fest. I would like to officially hang up my jersey. I’m announcing it today: I am now retired from the Fanatics Games.”
The retirement, however, barely had time to sink in. Less than a minute later, Rhodes reversed course, sending the crowd into another round of laughter by declaring that his retirement was already over.
“You know what? I’m coming out of retirement! I will compete next year at the Fanatics Games.”
Rhodes’ announcement came after he once again struggled during the Fanatics Games’ field goal kicking challenge, where repeated missed attempts turned into one of the weekend’s funniest viral moments. Instead of shying away from it, he leaned all the way into the joke, “retired,” and then immediately booked himself for another shot next year.
If nothing else, Cody Rhodes has already guaranteed one thing—he’ll be back looking for redemption at the 2027 Fanatics Games.
Do you think Cody Rhodes will finally hit a field goal next year, or is another “retirement” speech inevitable? Let us know in the comments below.
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