Rhodes continued, “Somewhere around that period, though, it was fully in my bones, it was no longer a gimmick. I loved it. I loved the culture of fashion at a wrestling event, and it may be my visits to New Japan, where you see Okada showing up to the building in a Ferrari, immaculate suit, immaculate tailored suit. I really appreciated how, as sports figures, I know it’s sports entertainment, but as sports figures, they weren’t trying to be slouchers. They were trying to be on an NBA level of fashion, an NBA and NFL draft level. And I’ve just always loved that it’s no longer a gimmick. That’s all that’s in the closet.”

38-year-old Rhodes recently concluded a three-match program with Brock Lesnar, which saw him defeat the former WWE and Universal Champion twice, establishing himself as the company’s top babyface. Most recently, he has been working house show matches with Damian Priest. However, as of writing, he has no match announced for WWE’s upcoming “Payback” premium live event; he is though currently scheduled to appear alongside Grayson Waller as a guest on “The Grayson Waller Effect” during the show.

If you use any quotes from this article, please credit “After The Bell” with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.