Cody Rhodes says the one thing NXT cannot teach incoming talent is how to survive the scheduling chaos of a live WWE main roster television day.
Speaking on his What Do You Wanna Talk About? with Cody Rhodes podcast, the Undisputed WWE Champion told Fallon Henley that psychology, storytelling, and match structure can all be coached, but the moment you are told your walk-in is in 30 minutes and you are already late for a rehearsal, is something no developmental system can simulate.
‘The American Nightmare’ praised NXT for the fundamentals, singling out the coaching new talent receives before they ever reach Raw or SmackDown. His concern was with what the classroom cannot replicate: the overlapping demands of live TV.
One of the things that… can only be taught by the natural experience of bouncing around, trying to climb the ladder, trying to get here in the first place…
Shawn’s going to teach them pretty much everything they need to know about wrestling psychology. You’re going to get so much from Terry about finishes… But one of my things that I know is not taught necessarily when they come up… is time management when it comes to how SmackDown and Raw work.
The Hidden Grind Of A Main Roster TV Day
Rhodes laid out how quickly the day can spiral. One request stacks on top of another with little warning, and the people making those requests are simply doing their jobs.
It is terrifying that you get there and it’s, ‘Tommy’ or ‘Kasama, we’re doing your walk in 30 minutes.’ As soon as your walk-in’s done, ‘Can you be at the ring? You’re late for your rehearsal,’ which you booked the walk. How am I late for the rehearsal?
They have a job to do, so you can’t get mad at them. But then also you’re trying to focus on the content. I’m going to deliver this unbelievable promo. I’m going to do something physically impressive.
The match may be the headline for viewers at home, but Rhodes described a day layered with arrivals, backstage segments, rehearsals, promos, production notes, and sponsor obligations, all before the bell rings.
Rhodes Believes Henley Is Ready
Even with all of that pressure, Rhodes said Henley has looked composed during her early weeks on SmackDown and asked whether she feels fully prepared for the jump.
Henley gave a candid answer.
I feel like I’m as prepared as I can be. I’ve had so much experience, I’ve had so many teachers, and I feel like they always say you’re never going to be 100% ready, but I feel like I’m as ready as I can be now given everything that I’ve gone through and everything that I’ve learned.
Rhodes, who has been open about the physical toll the schedule takes, closed with a warning drawn from his own experience.
When you’re 100% ready, things like what happened to me at WrestleMania happen where you just pull your tights up just an extra… and the knee completely rips. Whenever you’re 100% ready, that’s Curveball City.