Top WWE heel breaks character for "uncle Cody"; sends emotional message to Cody Rhodes
Cody Rhodes received an emotional message from a top WWE heel, who recently broke character on social media. Shawn Spears, who is one of the top bad guys in NXT, shared an adorable image of his son Austin Jay watching his "uncle Cody" wrestle.
Spears, along with Rhodes, was among the first former WWE stars who signed with All Elite Wrestling. When The American Nightmare left AEW in 2022, the former star known as Tye Dillinger stayed until his contract expired on January 1.
A month later at NXT Vengeance Day, Spears returned to WWE and attacked Ridge Holland. He's now among the top heels of the brand and has set his sights on the NXT North American Championship.
In an Instagram post, The Chairman shared a photo of his son Austin watching the 2024 Men's Royal Rumble match while eating breakfast.
"Loves watching his uncle Cody @americannightmarecody," Spears wrote.
Cody Rhodes and Shawn Spears have been friends since their days at Ohio Valley Wrestling. Their story culminated in a feud at AEW that led to Spears being called The Chairman.
Fast forward to a few years later, and they are now both in WWE again. Rhodes is one of the faces of the company, while Spears works as a performer and producer in NXT.
Cody Rhodes regrets not having Shawn Spears at WrestleMania 40 win
When Cody Rhodes defeated Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40, many WWE Superstars congratulated him for his triumph. Almost all of his close friends in the business were present in the ring except Shawn Spears.
"He is the only person that I regret I didn't have in the ring after WrestleMania because I saw him that day and we just took a picture together and he was just like he always was. (...) I wouldn't be where I’m at without Shawn Spears. He is a blessing to the business and I am so glad to see him in NXT," Rhodes said on The Babyfaces podcast. [H/T: SEScoops]
Rhodes and Spears were part of the OVW Class of 2006. Other members of that class include CM Punk, Beth Phoenix, Kofi Kingston, Damien Sandow, The Miz, Maryse, Nic Nemeth, and Tommaso Ciampa.